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12 Things You Didn’t Know About Beninese Actor Djimon Hounsou

12 Things You Didn’t Know About Beninese Actor Djimon Hounsou

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Djimon Hounsou is easily one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood. With his chiseled good looks and charming smile, he has been in countless roles on the big and small screen. Originally from Benin, Hounsou may be this country’s top export. He’s an internationally renowned model, actor, and at times, activist. At 50, this award-winning actor shows no signs of slowing down. Here are 12 things you didn’t know about Beninese actor Djimon Hounsou.

Sources: wikipediatvguidebiography, thereelnetwork, trivia.famousfix.com, imdb

berthoalain.com
berthoalain.com

 

1) Little Benin, big potential

Djimon Hounsou was born April 24, 1964 in Cotonou, the largest city in Benin. His parents were Albertine Hounsou and Pierre, who was a cook. He was the youngest of five siblings and many of his older siblings were already grown and had left home during his formative years.

flickr.com
flickr.com

 

2) Oscar contender

Besides being one of the most easily recognizable faces in Hollywood, Hounsou has had a prolific career in acting, both in film and TV. Often appearing in supporting roles, he was twice nominated for Best Supporting Actor in the Academy Awards for his work in “In America” and “Blood Diamond.” He is also the fourth African to receive an Oscar nomination for acting.

Photo: (Eric Pouhier/Wikipedia Commons)
Photo: Eric Pouhier/Wikipedia Commons

 

3) A troubled youth

When he was 13, Djimon immigrated to Lyon, France with his brother Edmond and some family earnings they had saved up. In interviews, Hounsou said that despite the opportunity afforded him in France, school bored him and he soon dropped out, knowing that he wanted to be an entertainer. After a period of homelessness and living on the street, a chance encounter with a photographer would eventually give him his big break.

(Control Arms/Flickr)
Control Arms/Flickr

 

4) Sought-after model

That photographer would eventually introduce Djimon Hounsou to famed fashion designer Thierry Mugler. Mugler immediately recognized Hounsou’s potential and started using him as a model in his fashion shows. Within a few months, Housou went from eating out of garbage cans and sleeping under bridges to the catwalks of Paris and London. He would eventually move to the U.S. in 1990 and become a model for Calvin Klein among others.

(Photo courtesy of People.com)
People.com

 

5) Music video star

After moving to the U.S. and solidifying his modeling career, Djimon was ready to start expanding his repertoire and give acting a try. He would first appear in Paula Abdul’s video for “Straight Up,” directed by David Fincher. Fincher would re-cast him for his next big budget music video for Madonna’s “Express Yourself.” The exposure was critical and helped Hounsou land his biggest bill yet in Janet Jackson’s “Love Will Never Do (Without You).”

(Wikipedia Commons)
Wikipedia Commons

 

6) Becoming a world-class actor

All those music videos would eventually pay off. Today, Djimon Hounsou is a sought-after and respected international actor who has appeared in dozens of films and TV shows. The recipient of numerous awards, he received critical acclaim for his outstanding work in films such as “Amistad,” (portraying the leader of a slave uprising), “In America,” (as an AIDS-afflicted artist/photographer), and “Blood Diamond” (playing a fisherman caught up in the diamond trade).

 

Housou-Simmons
http://d22atgph1ebwrd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Housou-Simmons.jpg

7) Marriage and family life

In 2007, Hounsou met and dated model Kimora Lee Simmons whom he eventually married. In 2008 the couple traveled to Benin to have a traditional commitment ceremony with the blessing and participation of Honsou’s family there. In May 2009, the couple welcomed their son Kenzo Lee Hounsou to the world, the first child for Djimon and the third for Kimora. Unfortunately, the couple split in late 2012.

(Dreamworks/Wikipedia)
Dreamworks/Wikipedia

 

8) Amistad

Steven Spielberg’s historical drama, “Amistad,” about an uprising on a slave ship bound for Cuba, gained Hounsou massive attention upon its release in 1997. Considered his breakout role, Housou plays Sengbe Pieh, known as Cinque, who leads the revolt after being abducted in Sierra Leone and sold into slavery. He was nominated for four awards and many critics praised his portrayal of an important character in history and the depth and passion he brought to the screen.

(Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia Commons)
Photo: Gage Skidmore/Wikipedia Commons

 

9) Views

Djimon is not as outspoken as some other actors in his field but is not afraid to make his opinions known. He hopes to change the preconceptions many have, especially when it comes to Africans. Many Americans view Africans in a very National Geographic way, he said. He expressed hopes his roles will open people’s eyes to the diversity of Africa and he hopes to continue landing more roles that enable him to do so in the future.

(Georges Biard/Wikipedia Commons)
Georges Biard/Wikipedia Commons

 

10) Awards

Hounsou has shown that he can master almost any role, whether it entails drama, action, or comedy. With 14 nominations including the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Screen Actors Guild, he has won recognition for his acting from the Black Reel Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and National Board of Review.

(Photo courtesy of Fifa)
Fifa

11) Additional work

To add to his already impressive body of work, in 2010, Hounsou was selected as the narrator for the World Cup “32 Teams, 1 Dream” series of commercials featuring all the World Cup contenders in that year’s tournament. A year prior, he spoke at U.N. summit on climate change, calling for more accountability from developed countries.

 

http://d22atgph1ebwrd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Djimon-Hounsou-2.jpg
http://d22atgph1ebwrd.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Djimon-Hounsou-2.jpg

12) Medieval mentor

Djimon Hounsou is in talks to play a leading role in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming film, “Knights of the Round Table,” set to debut in summer of 2016. Reports say Hounsou’s next major role will be as a Merlin-like mentor and teacher to a young King Arthur.