Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Gaston Hounsou is a Beninese-American actor and model. He began his career appearing in music videos, made his film debut in Without You I'm Nothing and earned widespread recognition for his role as Cinqué in the Steven Spielberg film Amistad. As an actor, Hounsou has been nominated for two Academy Awards. Hounsou became a naturalized American citizen in 2007. He was reluctant to renounce his Beninese citizenship and therefore opted to become a dual citizen of both Benin and the United States, effectively rendering him a Beninese-American. Djimon Hounsou was born in Cotonou, Benin, in 1964, to lbertine and Pierre Hounsou. He immigrated to Lyon in France at the age of thirteen with his brother, Edmond. In 1987, he became a model and established a career in Paris. He moved to the U.S. in 1990. One year before obtaining his college degree, he dropped out of school. In 1989, he appeared in a music video of Straight Up by Paula Abdul. Hounsou's film debut was in the 1990 Sandra Bernhard film Without You I’m Nothing, and he has had television roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER and a guest starring role on Alias, but received a larger role in the science fiction film Stargate. His first on-screen appearance was in the 1990 Janet Jackson video “Love Will Never Do (Without You).” He also starred in a 2002 Gap commercial directed by Peter Lindbergh, dancing to a rendition of John Lee Hooker's "Boom Boom" by Arrested Development's Baba Oje. He received wide critical ...

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Gladiator (2000)

Action-packedViolentEmotionalThought provoking

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ridley Scott
CAST:  Russell Crowe  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Connie Nielsen  •  Oliver Reed

In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus ascends to the throne, Maximus is set ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ridley Scott
CAST:  Russell Crowe  •  Joaquin Phoenix  •  Connie Nielsen  •  Oliver Reed

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Action-packedAdventurousEnjoyableCharming

Five years have passed since Hiccup and Toothless united the dragons and Vikings of Berk. Now, they spend their time charting unmapped territories. During one of their adventures, the pair discover a secret cave that houses hundreds of wild dragons -- and a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dean DeBlois
CAST:  Gerard Butler  •  Kristen Wiig  •  Jonah Hill  •  Cate Blanchett

Five years have passed since Hiccup and Toothless united the dragons and Vikings of Berk. Now, they spend their time charting unmapped territories. During one of their adventures, the pair discover a secret cave that houses hundreds of wild dragons -- and a ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Dean DeBlois
CAST:  Gerard Butler  •  Kristen Wiig  •  Jonah Hill  •  Cate Blanchett

Amistad (1997)

In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Nigel Hawthorne  •  Anthony Hopkins  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Morgan Freeman

In 1839, the slave ship Amistad set sail from Cuba to America. During the long trip, Cinque leads the slaves in an unprecedented uprising. They are then held prisoner in Connecticut, and their release becomes the subject of heated debate. Freed slave Theodore ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Steven Spielberg
CAST:  Nigel Hawthorne  •  Anthony Hopkins  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Morgan Freeman

Beauty Shop (2005)

Far from Chicago, hairdresser Gina Norris has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter and has quickly established herself as a rare talent in her profession. But after repeatedly butting heads with her shady, over-the-top boss, Jorge, Norris sets out to create her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bille Woodruff
CAST:  Queen Latifah  •  Alicia Silverstone  •  Andie MacDowell  •  Alfre Woodard

Far from Chicago, hairdresser Gina Norris has relocated to Atlanta with her daughter and has quickly established herself as a rare talent in her profession. But after repeatedly butting heads with her shady, over-the-top boss, Jorge, Norris sets out to create her ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Bille Woodruff
CAST:  Queen Latifah  •  Alicia Silverstone  •  Andie MacDowell  •  Alfre Woodard

Renegade (2004)

U.S Marshal Mike Donovan has dark memories of the death of his first love. He keeps peace between the Americans and the natives who had temporarily adopted and taken care of him. The evil actions of a white sorcerer lead him to confront the villain in the Sacred ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jan Kounen
CAST:  Vincent Cassel  •  Juliette Lewis  •  Temuera Morrison  •  Ernest Borgnine

U.S Marshal Mike Donovan has dark memories of the death of his first love. He keeps peace between the Americans and the natives who had temporarily adopted and taken care of him. The evil actions of a white sorcerer lead him to confront the villain in the Sacred ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jan Kounen
CAST:  Vincent Cassel  •  Juliette Lewis  •  Temuera Morrison  •  Ernest Borgnine

Constantine (2005)

Action-packedViolentSuspensefulDark

John Constantine has literally been to Hell and back. When he teams up with a policewoman to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists beneath the landscape of contemporary Los ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Lawrence
CAST:  Keanu Reeves  •  Rachel Weisz  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Djimon Hounsou

John Constantine has literally been to Hell and back. When he teams up with a policewoman to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists beneath the landscape of contemporary Los ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Francis Lawrence
CAST:  Keanu Reeves  •  Rachel Weisz  •  Shia LaBeouf  •  Djimon Hounsou

Deep Rising (1998)

A group of heavily armed hijackers board a luxury ocean liner in the South Pacific Ocean to loot it, only to do battle with a series of large-sized, tentacled, man-eating sea creatures who have taken over the ship first.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Sommers
CAST:  Treat Williams  •  Famke Janssen  •  Anthony Heald  •  Kevin J. O'Connor

A group of heavily armed hijackers board a luxury ocean liner in the South Pacific Ocean to loot it, only to do battle with a series of large-sized, tentacled, man-eating sea creatures who have taken over the ship first.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stephen Sommers
CAST:  Treat Williams  •  Famke Janssen  •  Anthony Heald  •  Kevin J. O'Connor

Eragon (2006)

In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stefen Fangmeier
CAST:  Ed Speleers  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Sienna Guillory  •  Robert Carlyle

In his homeland of Alagaesia, a farm boy happens upon a dragon's egg -- a discovery that leads him on a predestined journey where he realized he's the one person who can defend his home against an evil king.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Stefen Fangmeier
CAST:  Ed Speleers  •  Jeremy Irons  •  Sienna Guillory  •  Robert Carlyle

In America (2003)

EpicPowerfulBrilliantTear-jerker

A family of Irish immigrants adjusts to life on the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen while also grieving the death of a child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Paddy Considine  •  Samantha Morton  •  Sarah Bolger  •  Emma Bolger

A family of Irish immigrants adjusts to life on the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen while also grieving the death of a child.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Sheridan
CAST:  Paddy Considine  •  Samantha Morton  •  Sarah Bolger  •  Emma Bolger

Killing Zoe (1993)

Zed is an American vault-cracker who travels to Paris to meet up with his old friend Eric. Eric and his gang have planned to raid the only bank in the city which is open on Bastille day. After offering his services, Zed soon finds himself trapped in a situation ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roger Avary
CAST:  Eric Stoltz  •  Julie Delpy  •  Jean-Hugues Anglade  •  Tai Thai

Zed is an American vault-cracker who travels to Paris to meet up with his old friend Eric. Eric and his gang have planned to raid the only bank in the city which is open on Bastille day. After offering his services, Zed soon finds himself trapped in a situation ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roger Avary
CAST:  Eric Stoltz  •  Julie Delpy  •  Jean-Hugues Anglade  •  Tai Thai

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle of Life (2003)

Lara Croft is tasked by MI6 to find the mythological Pandora's Box, an object from ancient legends which supposedly contains one of the deadliest plagues on Earth, before evil Nobel Prize-winning scientist turned bioterrorist Jonathan Reiss can get his hands on it. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jan de Bont
CAST:  Angelina Jolie  •  Gerard Butler  •  Noah Taylor  •  Djimon Hounsou

Lara Croft is tasked by MI6 to find the mythological Pandora's Box, an object from ancient legends which supposedly contains one of the deadliest plagues on Earth, before evil Nobel Prize-winning scientist turned bioterrorist Jonathan Reiss can get his hands on it. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jan de Bont
CAST:  Angelina Jolie  •  Gerard Butler  •  Noah Taylor  •  Djimon Hounsou

Stargate (1994)

An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roland Emmerich
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  James Spader  •  Alexis Cruz  •  Viveca Lindfors

An interstellar teleportation device, found in Egypt, leads to a planet with humans resembling ancient Egyptians who worship the god Ra.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Roland Emmerich
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  James Spader  •  Alexis Cruz  •  Viveca Lindfors

Blood Diamond (2006)

ViolentAction-packedDramaticEmotional

An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son, conscripted as a child ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Leonardo DiCaprio  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Kagiso Kuypers

An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son, conscripted as a child ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Edward Zwick
CAST:  Leonardo DiCaprio  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Jennifer Connelly  •  Kagiso Kuypers

The Island (2005)

FuturisticEnjoyableAdventurousEpic

In 2019, Lincoln Six-Echo is a resident of a seemingly "Utopian" but contained facility. Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully-controlled environment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to The Island — reportedly the last uncontaminated location on the planet ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Bay
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Sean Bean

In 2019, Lincoln Six-Echo is a resident of a seemingly "Utopian" but contained facility. Like all of the inhabitants of this carefully-controlled environment, Lincoln hopes to be chosen to go to The Island — reportedly the last uncontaminated location on the planet ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Bay
CAST:  Ewan McGregor  •  Scarlett Johansson  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Sean Bean

Without You I'm Nothing (1990)

Sandra Bernhard stars in a studio version of her off-Broadway show, blending re-enactments of the original show's pieces with concept vignettes and 'testimonials' to underscore the relationship between a performer and an audience.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Boskovich
CAST:  Sandra Bernhard  •  Steve Antin  •  John Doe  •  Lu Leonard

Sandra Bernhard stars in a studio version of her off-Broadway show, blending re-enactments of the original show's pieces with concept vignettes and 'testimonials' to underscore the relationship between a performer and an audience.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Boskovich
CAST:  Sandra Bernhard  •  Steve Antin  •  John Doe  •  Lu Leonard

Biker Boyz (2003)

A mythic motorcycle tale of father and son", this is the story of Manuel Galloway, also known as "the King of Cali", the president of a motorcycle club whose members are all African-American men, mostly white-collar workers who exchange their suits and ties at ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Reggie Rock Bythewood
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Derek Luke  •  Orlando Jones  •  Djimon Hounsou

A mythic motorcycle tale of father and son", this is the story of Manuel Galloway, also known as "the King of Cali", the president of a motorcycle club whose members are all African-American men, mostly white-collar workers who exchange their suits and ties at ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Reggie Rock Bythewood
CAST:  Laurence Fishburne  •  Derek Luke  •  Orlando Jones  •  Djimon Hounsou

Elephant White (2011)

An assassin is hired by a businessman to avenge the murder of his daughter by white slave traders in Thailand.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Prachya Pinkaew
CAST:  Kevin Bacon  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Jirantanin Pitakporntrakul  •  Weeraprawat Wongpuapan

An assassin is hired by a businessman to avenge the murder of his daughter by white slave traders in Thailand.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Prachya Pinkaew
CAST:  Kevin Bacon  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Jirantanin Pitakporntrakul  •  Weeraprawat Wongpuapan

Same Kind of Different as Me (2017)

International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife, a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Carney
CAST:  Greg Kinnear  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Jon Voight

International art dealer Ron Hall must befriend a dangerous homeless man in order to save his struggling marriage to his wife, a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the journey of their lives.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Carney
CAST:  Greg Kinnear  •  Djimon Hounsou  •  Renée Zellweger  •  Jon Voight

Seventh Son (2014)

John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected the country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sergei Bodrov
CAST:  Jeff Bridges  •  Julianne Moore  •  Ben Barnes  •  Alicia Vikander

John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected the country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sergei Bodrov
CAST:  Jeff Bridges  •  Julianne Moore  •  Ben Barnes  •  Alicia Vikander

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Yates
CAST:  Alexander Skarsgård  •  Margot Robbie  •  Christoph Waltz  •  Samuel L. Jackson

Tarzan, having acclimated to life in London, is called back to his former home in the jungle to investigate the activities at a mining encampment.  (more)

DIRECTION:  David Yates
CAST:  Alexander Skarsgård  •  Margot Robbie  •  Christoph Waltz  •  Samuel L. Jackson
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