Djimon Hounsou
Biography
Djimon Gaston Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Dahomey (now Benin), to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. He began his career appearing in music videos before making his film debut in Without You I’m Nothing. Hounsou gained widespread recognition for portraying Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. In addition to acting, he has worked as a model. He immigrated to Lyon, France, and later became a naturalized American citizen in 2007, choosing to retain his Beninese citizenship and thus holding dual Beninese‑American nationality. He is also credited under the names Djimon Djimon Gaston Hounsou and Djimon Ho.
Career overview
Djimon Gaston Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Dahomey (now Benin) to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. After spending his early years in Benin, he moved to Lyon, France, where he began working in the entertainment industry. His initial forays were in music videos, providing him with on‑camera experience before transitioning to longer‑form storytelling.
Hounsou made his feature‑film debut in the independent movie Without You I’m Nothing. He achieved widespread recognition when he portrayed the enslaved leader Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Amistad. The performance helped establish him as a prominent character actor and led to two Academy Award nominations for his work in subsequent films. According to the Motion Picture Database, Hounsou has accumulated 85 credited acting roles across film and television, reflecting a steady presence in the industry.
In 2007 Hounsou became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Choosing to retain his Beninese nationality, he holds dual citizenship and is frequently described as a Beninese‑American actor. His career, marked by early work in music videos, a notable debut, critical acclaim for Amistad, and a substantial body of credited performances, underscores his lasting impact on both American and international cinema.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Thrash (2026) as Dr. Dale Edwards
- The Passenger (2026) as Hassan
- Twisted (2026) as Dr. Kezian
- A Quiet Place: Day One (2024) as Henri
- Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver (2024) as Titus
- OZI: Voice of the Forest (2024) as Jojo
- Creating a Universe - The Making of Rebel Moon (2024) as Self
- Gran Turismo (2023) as Steve Mardenborough
- Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) as Wizard
- Rebel Moon - Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) as Titus
- Black Adam (2022) as Wizard
- BIANCA (2022) as Self - Guest
- Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) as Sumo (voice)
- Janet Jackson: Japanese Singles Collection - Greatest Hits (2022)
- INVINCIBLE (2021) as Martian Emperor (voice)
- What If...? (2021) as Korath (voice)
- A Quiet Place Part II (2021) as Man on Island
- The King's Man (2021) as Shola
- Marvel Studios' 2021 Disney+ Day Special (2021) as Korath (voice) (archive footage)
- Kimana Tuskers (2021) as Narrator (voice)
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Captain Marvel (2019) as Korath
- The Longest Day in Chang'an (2019) as Ge Lao
- Shazam! (2019) as Wizard
- Charlie's Angels (2019) as Edgar Bosley
- Serenity (2019) as Duke
- Aquaman (2018) as King Ricou (voice)
- In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven (2018) as Host
- In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven (2018) Director
- King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) as Bedivere
- I Am Heath Ledger (2017) as Self
- Same Kind of Different as Me (2017) as Denver
- The Legend of Tarzan (2016) as Chief Mbonga
- Dragons: Race to the Edge (2015) as Drago (voice)
- Wayward Pines (2015) as CJ Mitchum
- Furious 7 (2015) as Mose Jakande
- The Vatican Tapes (2015) as Vicar Imani
- Air (2015) as Cartwright
- How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014) as Drago (voice)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as Korath
- Seventh Son (2014) as Radu
- Baggage Claim (2013) as Quinton Jamison
- Dish Nation (2012) as Self
- Special Forces (2011) as Commander Kovax
- Elephant White (2011) as Curtie Church
- Elephant White (2011) Producer
- Black Panther (2010) as Black Panther (voice)
- The Tempest (2010) as Caliban
- Black Panther (2010) as T'Challa
- Push (2009) as Henry Carver
- Never Back Down (2008) as Jean Roqua
- A Place in Time (2007) as Self
- Blood Diamond (2006) as Solomon Vandy
- Eragon (2006) as Ajihad
- Constantine (2005) as Midnite
- The Island (2005) as Albert Laurent
- Beauty Shop (2005) as Joe
- Strength and Honor: Creating the World of 'Gladiator' (2005) as Self
- Strength and Honor: Production Pods (2005) as Self
- Blueberry (2004) as Woodhead
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003) as Kosa
- Biker Boyz (2003) as Motherland
- In America (2003) as Mateo
- Dead Weight (2002) as Detective Youssouf
- The Four Feathers (2002) as Abou Fatma
- Alias (2001) as Kazari Bomani
- Gladiator (2000) as Juba
- Soul Food (2000) as Victor Onuka
- The Middle Passage (2000) as Narrator (voice - U.S. Version)
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998) as Villager (voice)
- Deep Rising (1998) as Vivo
- The View (1997) as Self
- Amistad (1997) as Cinque
- Ill Gotten Gains (1997) as Fyah
- ER (1994) as Mobalage Ikabo
- Stargate (1994) as Horus
- Killing Zoe (1993) as Moïse (voice)
- Unlawful Entry (1992) as Prisoner on Bench
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as Nightclub Doorman
- Without You I'm Nothing (1990) as Ex-Boyfriend
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- Highlander as Sunda Kastagir
- Red Card as Max Elmi
- The Bleeding Ground as Idoma Kwali
- One Last Fight as Tiga
- African History Y