Djimon Hounsou
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Djimon Gaston Hounsou (born April 24, 1964), pronounced "Jie-mon Hahn-soo" is an Academy Award-nominated Beninese actor, dancer and fashion model who was born in Cotonou, Benin. He is now a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Hounsou immigrated to Paris at the age of 13 with a brother, and lived on the streets, until he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who made him a model. Modeling led to acting. His film debut was in Without You I'm Nothing, and he has had parts on Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER and a guest starring role on Alias, but his first major role was in the science fiction film Stargate.
His first on-screen appearance was in the 1990 Janet Jackson video "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", which co-starred Antonio Sabato Jr.
He received wide critical acclaim for his role as Cinqué in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film Amistad. He gained further notice as Juba, in the 2000 film Gladiator. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for In America in 2004. That year, with Charlize Theron, a South African actress nominated for her work in Monster, was the first time that two African-born performers were nominated for an Oscar in the same year.
[edit] Filmography
- Without You I'm Nothing (1990)
- Unlawful Entry (1992)
- Stargate (1994)
- The Small Hours (1997)
- Amistad (1997)
- Ill Gotten Gains (1997)
- Deep Rising (1998)
- Gladiator (2000)
- The Middle Passage (2000) (documentary) (narrator in US version)
- The Tag (2001)
- Dead Weight (2002)
- The Four Feathers (2002)
- In America (2002)
- Heroes (2002) (short subject)
- Biker Boyz (2003)
- Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
- Blueberry (2004)
- Constantine (2005)
- Beauty Shop (2005)
- The Island (2005)
- Blood Diamond (2006)
- Eragon (2006)
Upcoming:
- The Trunk (2007)
[edit] Awards Won
- 2006: National Board of Review-Best Supporting Actor for -Blood Diamond
- 2004: Black Reel Awards-Best Supporting Actor for -In America
- 2004: Independant Spirit Award-Best Supporting Actor for- In America
- 2004: ShoWest Convention,USA-Supporting Actor of the Year
- 2004: Satellite Award-Best Supporting Actor for -In America
- 2003: San Diego Film Critics Society Awards-Best Supporting Actor for -In America
- 1998: Image Awards- Outstanding Lead Actor for a Motion Picture for- Amistad
