Djimon Gaston Hounsou (/ˈdÊ'aɪmÉ™n ˈuË nsuË /; French: [dÊ'imÉ"̃
unsu]; born 24 April 1964) is a Benineseâ€"American actor and model.
Hounsou began his career appearing in music videos. He made his film
debut in the Sandra Bernhard film Without You I'm Nothing (1990) and
gained widespread recognition for his role as Cinqué in the Steven
Spielberg film Amistad (1997). He gained further recognition for his
roles in Gladiator (2000), In America (2003), and Blood Diamond
(2006), receiving Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nominations
for both the latter films. He also played an antagonist in Furious 7
(2015). He has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three
Screen Actors Guild Awards. Djimon Hounsou plays an important role as
well in the French film Forces spéciales in 2011.In the Marvel
Cinematic Universe, he plays the role of Korath the Pursuer in
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Captain Marvel (2019).
Additionally, in the DC Extended Universe, he played the role of the
Fisherman King in Aquaman (2018) and the wizard Shazam in Shazam!
(2019).Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre
Hounsou, a cook. He emigrated to Lyon in France at the age of twelve
with his brother, Edmond. Soon after arriving in France, Hounsou
dropped out of school and became homeless for a time. A chance meeting
with a photographer led to Hounsou being introduced to fashion
designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged Hounsou to pursue a modeling
career. In 1987, Hounsou became a model and established a career in
Paris. He moved to the United States in 1990.Between 1989 and 1991,
Hounsou appeared in the music videos for "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul,
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson, and Madonna's
"Express Yourself". He also appears in En Vogue's music video for
"Hold On".
unsu]; born 24 April 1964) is a Benineseâ€"American actor and model.
Hounsou began his career appearing in music videos. He made his film
debut in the Sandra Bernhard film Without You I'm Nothing (1990) and
gained widespread recognition for his role as Cinqué in the Steven
Spielberg film Amistad (1997). He gained further recognition for his
roles in Gladiator (2000), In America (2003), and Blood Diamond
(2006), receiving Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor nominations
for both the latter films. He also played an antagonist in Furious 7
(2015). He has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three
Screen Actors Guild Awards. Djimon Hounsou plays an important role as
well in the French film Forces spéciales in 2011.In the Marvel
Cinematic Universe, he plays the role of Korath the Pursuer in
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Captain Marvel (2019).
Additionally, in the DC Extended Universe, he played the role of the
Fisherman King in Aquaman (2018) and the wizard Shazam in Shazam!
(2019).Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre
Hounsou, a cook. He emigrated to Lyon in France at the age of twelve
with his brother, Edmond. Soon after arriving in France, Hounsou
dropped out of school and became homeless for a time. A chance meeting
with a photographer led to Hounsou being introduced to fashion
designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged Hounsou to pursue a modeling
career. In 1987, Hounsou became a model and established a career in
Paris. He moved to the United States in 1990.Between 1989 and 1991,
Hounsou appeared in the music videos for "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul,
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson, and Madonna's
"Express Yourself". He also appears in En Vogue's music video for
"Hold On".
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