Djimon Hounsou is a Beninese-born actor and model with a net worth of $15 million as of 2023. He is best known for his roles in films such as Amistad, Gladiator, Blood Diamond, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Shazam!.
He has been nominated for two Academy Awards and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. He has also appeared in music videos for artists like Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Paula Abdul.
Djimon Hounsou’s Bio and Early Life
Djimon Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou, a cook. He has a brother named Edmond. He grew up in poverty and faced discrimination because of his dark skin. He moved to Lyon, France, with his brother when he was 13. He dropped out of school and became homeless for a while. He met a photographer who introduced him to fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged him to pursue a modeling career.
Djimon Hounsou’s Career
Acting
Hounsou made his film debut in the 1990 Sandra Bernhard film Without You I’m Nothing. He then appeared in music videos for Straight Up by Paula Abdul, Love Will Never Do (Without You) by Janet Jackson, and Express Yourself by Madonna. He also appeared in the TV shows Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER. He had a breakthrough role as Cinqué in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film Amistad, based on the true story of a slave rebellion. He received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.
He gained more recognition for his role as Juba in the 2000 Ridley Scott film Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe. He played a loyal friend and fellow gladiator of the protagonist Maximus. He then starred in the 2002 Jim Sheridan film In America, as an African immigrant living in New York with his family. He received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Mateo.
He continued to star in films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003), Constantine (2005), The Island (2005), Blood Diamond (2006), Eragon (2006), Push (2009), and The Tempest (2010). He received his second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Solomon Vandy in Blood Diamond, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. He played a fisherman who is forced to work in the diamond mines by rebel forces.
He also ventured into the superhero genre, playing Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Captain Marvel (2019), and What If…? (2021). He also played the Fisherman King in Aquaman (2018), and the wizard Shazam in Shazam! (2019) Black Adam (2022), and Papa Midnite in Constantine (2005). He also voiced characters in animated films such as How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014), The Legend of Tarzan (2016), and Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022).
He is set to appear in upcoming films such as A Quiet Place Part II (2020), The King’s Man (2021), Rebel Moon (2023), Gladiator 2 (2024), and Rebel Moon 2.
Modeling
Hounsou has been a successful model since the late 1980s. He has graced the catwalks of Paris and London for designers such as Thierry Mugler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, Calvin Klein, and Donna Karan. He has also appeared on the covers of magazines such as GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair, and People. He was named one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” by People magazine in 1997.
Other Work
Hounsou is also a producer, director, and writer. He produced and starred in the 2011 film Elephant White, about a mercenary who befriends a young girl in Thailand. He also produced and directed the 2018 documentary In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, about his exploration of his ancestral roots and the history of voodoo. He wrote the screenplay for the film with James Westby.
He is also an activist and philanthropist. He supports causes such as human rights, environmental protection, education, health care, and poverty alleviation. He is a goodwill ambassador for Oxfam International and UNICEF. He has also worked with organizations such as Amnesty International, The Art of Elysium, Global Green USA, and The Djimon Hounsou Foundation.
Djimon Hounsou’s Net Worth
Djimon Hounsou has a net worth of $15 million as of 2023. He has earned his wealth from his acting and modeling career, as well as his production and directing work. He has also invested in real estate and other ventures. He owns a house in Los Angeles, California, and a farm in Benin.
Personal Life and Achievements
Hounsou has been married twice. He married fashion designer Kola Boof in 1999 but divorced in 2000. He then dated model and entrepreneur Kimora Lee Simmons from 2007 to 2012. They have a son named Kenzo Lee Hounsou, who was born in 2009. He is currently single.
Hounsou has dual citizenship in Benin and France. He also became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 2007. He speaks several languages, including French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. He is a practicing Roman Catholic.
Hounsou has received many awards and honors for his work. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and an NAACP Image Award. He has won awards from the National Board of Review, the Broadcast Film Critics Association, the London Film Critics Circle, the Black Reel Awards, and the MTV Movie Awards. He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Benin in 2016.
Hounsou is one of the most successful and respected actors in Hollywood. He has shown his versatility and talent in various genres and roles. He has also used his fame and fortune to help others and raise awareness about important issues. He is an inspiration to many people around the world.
