Djimon Hounsou
Beninese-american actor and model
All edits by Andrey Barsukov
October 28, 2022
October 28, 2022
Career
He was born on April 24, 1964 in Cotonou (Benin) in the family of Pierre and Albertine Khonsu, people from the Fon people. His father worked as a cook, his mother was a housewife. In 1977, at the age of 13, he moved to France, first to Lyon and then to Paris to continue his education.
After graduating from school, he could not find a job for a long time, changing several classes, at one time he even wandered.
Happiness smiled at him when the famous fashion designer Thierry Mugler hired him as a fashion model and model. Participation in several shows attracted the attention of photographers to Khonsu, and then the directors of video clips. Since 1987, he has starred in the videos of Steve Winwood, Madonna, Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson.
In 1990, Djimon Hounsou moved to Los Angeles (USA), deciding to step into the acting path. He landed a small role in the thriller Invasion and then starred in Roland Emmerich's fantasy film Stargate (1994). Khonsu's work in Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997) was highly praised by critics [source not specified 4169 days], and the actor was nominated for a Golden Globe Award. Among other films with his participation are the thriller "Rise from the Deep" and the television series "ER". In 2000, Ridley Scott's historical thriller Gladiator was released, in which Djimon Hounsou played the role of Juba.
In 2002, the films Four Feathers and In America were released with Djimon Hounsou. For participation in the latter, the actor was nominated for an Oscar. In 2003, Khonsu appeared in the film adaptation of the Tomb Raider series of computer games Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2 - The Cradle of Life, and in 2005 in the mystical thriller Constantine: The Dark Lord, based on the comic book series, and the fantastic action movie by Michael Bay "Island". Khonsu's partners on the set of The Island were Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.
In 2006, Blood Diamond was released. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou and Jennifer Connelly. For his work in the film, Khonsu received an Oscar nomination.
In 2008, Khonsu came to Moscow to attend Russian Fashion Week and present the film Never Back Down, in which he played the role of mixed-fight coach Jean Roque[3]. The actor admitted that the role of the master of mixed fighting was a challenge for him [3], and despite the knowledge of kung fu and boxing, which he did for several years while living in France, preparation for the film was not easy [4].
In 2014, Djimon Hounsou voiced the character Drago in the animated film How to Train Your Dragon 2. The film was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Animated Feature Film category.[5] In the same year, Khonsu played the hero Korat in the film Guardians of the Galaxy. And in 2015, Hounsou played in the 7th part of "Fast and the Furious" in the company of Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Jason Statham, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson and Kurt Russell.
In July 2017, Djimon Hounsou, along with Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Diane Lane and Jason Clarke, joined the cast of Stephen Knight's thriller Sea of Seduction[6].
In July 2018, Khonsu starred as the Underwater King, a new character in the DC Extended Universe, in Aquaman directed by James Wan. The actor also starred in the 2019 superhero films Captain Marvel and Shazam!, based on Marvel and DC comics, respectively.
Personal life
In 2007, he began dating an American model of African-Japanese origin, Kimora Lee Simmons. On May 30, 2009, the couple had a son, Kenzo Lee Hongsu[9], who was named so because in Japanese "Kenzo" means "three" (Kimora's third child). In November 2012, the couple broke up[10].
Filmography
Year Russian title Original title Role
1990 Without You I'm Nothing Without You I'm Nothing ex-boyfriend
1990 with Beverly Hills, 90210 Beverly Hills, 90210 nightclub doorman
1992 Unlawful Entry prisoner on the bench
1993 Killing Zoe Moses
1994 Stargate Gore
1997 - Ill Gotten Gains Faia
1997 Amistad Amistád Sinque
1997 - The Small Hours n/a
1998 Deep Rising Vivo
1999 with Ambulance ER Mobalage Ikabo
2000 ms The Wild Thornberrys villager
2000 Gladiator Juba
2000 - Passage du milieu narrator
2001 core - The Tag marshall
2001 with Soul Food Victor Onuka
2002 Four-wheel drive Le Boulet Detective Youssouf
2002 The Four Feathers Abu Fatma
2002 In America In America Mateo Kuamey
2002 core Heroes Heroes mystery man
2003 Bikers Biker Boyz Motherland
2003 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider 2 - Cradle of Life Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life Scythe
2003–2004 with Spy Alias Kazari Bomani
2004 Blueberry Blueberry Woodhead
2005 Constantine: The Dark Lord Constantine Midnight
2005 Joe's Beauty Shop
2005 The Island Albert Laurent
2006 Blood Diamond Solomon Vandi
2006 Eragon Eragon Ajihad
2008 Never Back Down Jean Roca
2009 Fifth Dimension Push Henry Carver
2010 ms Black Panther Black Panther Black Panther / T'Challa
2010 Storm The Tempest Caliban
2011 Elephant White Curthy Church
2011 Special Detachment Forces spéciales Kovacs
2013 Baggage Claim Quinton Jamison
2014 MF How to Train Your Dragon 2 How to Train Your Dragon 2 Drago Bludvist
2014 Guardians of the Galaxy Korath the Pursuer
2014 Seventh Son Radu
2015 Fast & Furious 7 Furious 7 Mose Jakande
2015 The Vatican Tapes Vikar Imani
2015 Air Cartwright
2016 f Tarzan. The Legend of Tarzan chief Mbong
2016 with Wayward Pines CJ Mitch
2017 King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Bedivere
2017 Same Kind of Different as Me Denver Moore
2018 MF Blazing Samurai Sumo
2018 ms Dragons: Race to the Edge Dragons: Race to the Edge Drago Bludvist
2018 Aquaman Aquaman Fish King
2019 Sea of Temptation Serenity Duke
2019 Captain Marvel Captain Marvel Korath the Pursuer
2019 Shazam! Shazam! wizard Shazam
2021 ms What if...? What if…? Korath the Pursuer
2021 King's Man: The Beginning of The King's Man Shola / Merlin
2021 A Quiet Place 2 A Quiet Place: Part II Island Survivor
Awards and nominations
Award Year Film Category Result
Oscar 2004 In America Best Supporting Actor Nomination
2007 "Blood Diamond" Best Supporting Actor Nomination
Golden Globe 1998 Amistad Best Actor – Drama Nominated
Critics' Choice 2007 Blood Diamond Best Supporting Actor Nomination
"Independent Spirit" 2004 "In America" Best Supporting Actor Victory
Sputnik 1998 Amistad Best Actor - Drama Nominated
2004 "In America" Best Supporting Actor - Drama Victory
National Board of Film Critics 2006 "Blood Diamond" Best Supporting Actor Win
2001 Screen Actors Guild Award "Gladiator" Best Cast Nominated
2004 "In America" Best Cast Nominated
2007 "Blood Diamond" Best Supporting Actor Nomination
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