Djimon Hounsou Biography: Early Life, Career, Films, Awards, Wife, Net Worth
Djimon Hounsou (b. April 24, 1964) is a Beninese-American actor. He began his career in music videos before making his feature debut with Without You, I’m Nothing (1990). He later gained significant attention for his part as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997), which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.
Hounsou received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in In America (2002) and Blood Diamond (2006). In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he plays Korath the Pursuer in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Captain Marvel (2019), and What If…? (2021).
In the DC Extended Universe, he plays the Fisherman King in Aquaman (2018) and the wizard Shazam in Shazam! (2019), Black Adam (2022), and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).
His other notable films include Stargate (1994), Gladiator (2000), Constantine and The Island (both 2005), Special Forces (2011), How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), Furious 7 (2015), The Legend of Tarzan (2016), A Quiet Place Part II (2021), Gran Turismo, Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (both 2023), Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, and A Quiet Place: Day One (2024).
Djimon Hounsou Biography
Photo Credit: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Djimon Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin, to cooks Pierre Hounsou and Albertine Hounsou. Growing up in a humble family with his brother, Edmond, Djimon encountered financial difficulties in his early years. Despite having no formal education, Djimon’s persistence and charisma drove him into the entertainment industry after migrating to Los Angeles in 1990 to pursue acting.
Career
Djimon Hounsou got his start as a model, featuring in music videos for Madonna (Vogue) and Paula Abdul (Straight Up) in the late 1980s. His acting debut was a little role in Without You I’m Nothing (1990). He rose to notoriety as Cinque in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 film Amistad, receiving critical acclaim for his depiction of the captive African leader.
His turn as Juba in Gladiator (2000) boosted his popularity, followed by appearances in The Four Feathers (2002) and In America (2003). His performance as Mateo in Blood Diamond (2006) got him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other significant films are The Island (2005), Eragon (2006), Never Back Down (2008), The Tempest (2010), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as Korath, Captain Marvel (2019), A Quiet Place Part II (2020), and Rebel Moon (2023-2024).
He played the FBI Director in the 2024 film Trap. He played Carl in Wayward Pines (2015-2016) and voiced Drago Bludvist in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). He worked as a producer for The Road to Freedom Peak in 2013. Last Breath (2025), starring Woody Harrelson, is among the upcoming projects. His strong voice and presence have made him a popular choice for powerful, heroic parts.
Djimon Hounsou movies
Without You I’m Nothing
Unlawful Entry
Killing Zoe
Stargate
Ill Gotten Gains
Amistad
Deep Rising
Gladiator
Le Boulet
The Four Feathers
In America
Biker Boyz
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life
Blueberry
Constantine
Beauty Shop
The Island
Blood Diamond
Eragon
A Place in Time
Never Back Down
Push
The Tempest
Elephant White
Special Forces
Baggage Claim
How to Train Your Dragon 2
Guardians of the Galaxy
Seventh Son
Furious 7
The Vatican Tapes
Air
The Legend of Tarzan
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
Same Kind of Different as Me
Aquaman
In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven
Serenity
Captain Marvel
Shazam!
Charlie’s Angels
A Quiet Place Part II
The King’s Man
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Black Adam
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Ozi: Voice of the Forest
Gran Turismo
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire
Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver
A Quiet Place: Day One
Shiver
The Monster
The Zealot
Television
Beverly Hills, 90210
ER
The Wild Thornberrys
Soul Food
Alias
Black Panther
Wayward Pines
DreamWorks Dragons
The Longest Day in Chang’an
Invincible
What If…?
Awards and Nominations
Year
Award
Category
Films
Result
2004
Academy Awards
Best Supporting Actor
In America
Nominated
2007
Blood Diamond
Nominated
2004
Black Reel Awards
In America
Won
2007
Blood Diamond
Won
Broadcast Film Critics
Nominated
1998
Golden Globe Awards
Best Actor – Drama
Amistad
Nominated
2004
Independent Spirit Awards
Best Supporting Male
In America
Won
1998
NAACP Image Awards
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Amistad
Won
2004
Outstanding Supporting Actor
In America
Nominated
2007
Blood Diamond
Won
2006
National Board of Review
Best Supporting Actor
Won
2001
Screen Actors Guild
Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture
Gladiator
Nominated
2004
In America
Nominated
2007
Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Blood Diamond
Nominated
Djimon Hounsou Wife
In 2007, Hounsou started dating model Kimora Lee Simmons. In the summer of 2008, Hounsou and Simmons travelled to Benin to see his family and take part in a traditional commitment ceremony. They wore traditional garb and utilised the ceremony, which was attended by Hounsou’s family, to confirm that they were “completely dedicated to each other,” although the ceremony was not a wedding.
He was billed as Kimora Lee Simmons’ husband on the first episode of Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. Simmons’ son was born in 2009. Hounsou and Simmons, who had never been officially married in the United States, announced their separation in November 2012.
Djimon Hounsou Net Worth
Djimon Hounsou, an Oscar-nominated Beninese-American actor and model, has a $2 million net worth. Djimon Hounsou is best known for his roles in the films “Amistad” (1997), “Gladiator” (2000), “In America” (2003), “Blood Diamond” (2006), and “Furious 7” (2015). He is well recognised for his role as Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Social Media
Instagram: @djimon_hounsou
