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

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

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