Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Gaston Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin, to Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. At the age of 13, he moved to Lyon, France, with his brother Edmond. During his early years in France, Hounsou experienced a period of homelessness. A pivotal encounter with a photographer led to an introduction to fashion designer Thierry Mugler, which launched his modeling career in Paris in 1987. In 1990, Hounsou relocated to the United States, transitioning from modeling to acting. He appeared in music videos for artists such as Paula Abdul, Tina Turner, Janet Jackson, and Madonna, before making his film debut in 1990’s “Without You I’m Nothing.”

Hounsou’s acting career progressed with roles in television, including “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “ER,” and in the science fiction film “Stargate” (1994). His breakthrough came with Steven Spielberg’s 1997 film “Amistad,” where his portrayal of Joseph Cinqué earned him critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination. This was followed by a role as Juba in Ridley Scott’s Academy Award-winning “Gladiator” (2000). Hounsou received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his work in “In America” (2002) and “Blood Diamond” (2006), establishing his reputation for powerful performances. He has since become a fixture in major film franchises, appearing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Korath the Pursuer and in the DC Extended Universe as the Wizard.