Djimon Gaston Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964 in Cotonou, Benin. He is an Academy Award-nominated African/American actor, dancer and fashion model.

He was appearing in music videos and on television in such shows as Beverly Hills, 90210, ER and Alias. Hounsou made his film debut in Without You I'm Nothing.

Djimon Hounsou got his big break in Hollywood when he played the leader of a slave rebellion in Steven Spielberg's 1997 film Amistad.

His best-known roles include Russell Crowe's slave/warrior teammate Juba in Gladiator (2000); the friendly neighbor, Mateo, in In America (2002); Heath Ledger's protective guide in The Four Feathers (2002); voodoo master and barkeep Midnite in Constantine (2005) starring with Keanu Reeves; a mean-spirited mercenary in pursuit of Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson in The Island (2005); and Queen Latifah's love interest in the comedy Beauty Shop (2005). His co-starring turn opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2006 film Blood Diamond earned Hounsou Oscar nomination for best supporting actor.

Hounsou has recently been spotted with the divorcee Kimora Lee Simmons. He is now a naturalized U.S. citizen.

Filmography

• Never Back Down (2008)
• The Trunk (2007)
• Eragon (2006)
• Blood Diamond (2006)
• The Island (2005)
• Beauty Shop (2005)
• Constantine (2005)
• "Alias" (3 episodes, 2003-2004)
• Blueberry (2004)
• Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003)
• Biker Boyz (2003)
• Heroes (2002)
• In America (2002)
• The Four Feathers (2002)
• Boulet, Le (2002)
• "Soul Food" (1 episode, 2001)
• The Tag (2001)
• Passage du milieu (2000)
• Gladiator (2000)
• "ER" (6 episodes, 1999)
• Deep Rising (1998)
• Ill Gotten Gains (1997)
• Amistad (1997)
• The Small Hours (1997)
• Stargate (1994)
• Unlawful Entry (1992)
• "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1 episode, 1990)
• Without You I'm Nothing (1990)

Awards

• National Board of Review Best Supporting Actor "Blood Diamond" 2006
• Independent Spirit Award Best Supporting Male "In America" 2004
• NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture "Amistad" 1997