Djimon Hounsou Biography: Age, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Movies & TV Shows, Son

Djimon Hounsou is a distinguished Beninese-American actor, model, and producer, renowned for his powerful performances in films such as Amistad, Gladiator, Blood Diamond, and Captain Marvel.

With a commanding screen presence, he has portrayed a range of intense, memorable characters across genres, earning critical acclaim and multiple award nominations.

Profile

• Full Name: Djimon Gaston Hounsou
• Stage Name: Djimon Hounsou
• Born: April 24, 1964
• Age: 61 years old
• Birthplace: Cotonou, Benin
• Nationality: Beninese, American
• Occupation: Actor, Model, Producer
• Height: 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m)
• Parents: Pierre Hounsou, Albertine Hounsou
• Siblings: Edmond Hounsou
• Spouse: Kimora Lee Simmons
• Children: Kenzo Lee Hounsou
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $12 million USD

Early Life and Education

Djimon Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin, to Pierre Hounsou, a cook, and Albertine Hounsou. Growing up in a modest family with his brother, Edmond, Djimon faced economic challenges in his early years. With limited formal education, Djimon‘s determination and charisma propelled him into the entertainment industry after relocating to Los Angeles in 1990 to pursue acting.

Career

Djimon Hounsou began his career as a model, appearing in music videos for artists like Madonna (Vogue) and Paula Abdul (Straight Up) in the late 1980s. His acting debut came with a small role in Without You I’m Nothing (1990). He gained prominence as Cinque in Steven Spielberg‘s Amistad (1997), earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of the enslaved African leader.

His role as Juba in Gladiator (2000) further elevated his profile, followed by performances in The Four Feathers (2002) and In America (2003). His portrayal of Mateo in Blood Diamond (2006) earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Other notable films include The Island (2005), Eragon (2006), Never Back Down (2008), The Tempest (2010), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) as Korath, Captain Marvel (2019), A Quiet Place Part II (2020), and Rebel Moon (2023–2024).

In 2024, he appeared in Trap as the FBI Director. On television, he played Carl in Wayward Pines (2015–2016) and voiced Drago Bludvist in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019). As a producer, he contributed to The Road to Freedom Peak (2013). Upcoming projects include Last Breath (2025) with Woody Harrelson. His deep voice and physicality have made him a sought-after actor for intense, heroic roles.

Awards and Nominations

• 1998: Golden Globe Award – Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (Amistad) – Nominated
• 1998: NAACP Image Award – Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture (Amistad) – Nominated
• 2000: Blockbuster Entertainment Award – Favorite Supporting Actor, Drama (Gladiator) – Nominated
• 2004: Independent Spirit Award – Best Supporting Male (In America) – Nominated
• 2004: Black Reel Award – Best Supporting Actor (In America) – Won
• 2007: Academy Award – Best Supporting Actor (Blood Diamond) – Nominated
• 2007: Screen Actors Guild Award – Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (Blood Diamond) – Nominated
• 2007: Black Reel Award – Best Supporting Actor (Blood Diamond) – Won
• 2007: NAACP Image Award – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Blood Diamond) – Won
• 2007: National Board of Review Award – Best Supporting Actor (Blood Diamond) – Won
• 2014: Screen Actors Guild Award – Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Guardians of the Galaxy) – Nominated
• 2017: Independent Spirit Award – Robert Altman Award (Moonlight, ensemble cast) – Won

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @djimon_hounsou
• Facebook Handle: Djimon Hounsou
• Twitter Handle: @DjimonHounsou

Personal Life

Djimon Hounsou, 61, is single following his relationship with fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons from 2007 to 2012. They have a son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, born on May 30, 2009. Djimon became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2007 but retains his Beninese citizenship, maintaining strong ties to his heritage.

He resides in Los Angeles and is an advocate for African representation in media, supporting initiatives like the African Cinema Foundation. He has spoken out against climate change’s impact on Africa and supports education programs in Benin.

Filmography

• Without You I’m Nothing (1990) – Ex-Boyfriend
• Stargate (1994) – Horus
• Amistad (1997) – Cinque
• Deep Rising (1998) – Vivo
• Gladiator (2000) – Juba
• The Four Feathers (2002) – Abou Fatma
• In America (2003) – Mateo
• Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life (2003) – Kosa
• Biker Boyz (2003) – Motherland
• Constantine (2005) – Midnite
• The Island (2005) – Albert Laurent
• Blood Diamond (2006) – Solomon Vandy
• Eragon (2006) – Ajihad
• Never Back Down (2008) – Jean Roqua
• Push (2009) – Henry Carver
• The Tempest (2010) – Caliban
• Elephant White (2011) – Curtie Church
• Special Forces (2011) – Kovax
• Baggage Claim (2013) – Quinton Jamison
• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) – Korath
• Seventh Son (2014) – Radu
• Furious 7 (2015) – Mose Jakande
• The Vatican Tapes (2015) – Vicar Imani
• The Legend of Tarzan (2016) – Chief Mbonga
• King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) – Bedivere
• Same Kind of Different as Me (2017) – Denver Moore
• Aquaman (2018) – King Ricou (Voice)
• Captain Marvel (2019) – Korath
• Shazam! (2019) – The Wizard
• Charlie’s Angels (2019) – Bosley
• A Quiet Place Part II (2020) – Man on Island
• The King’s Man (2021) – Shola
• Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (2023) – General Titus
• Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver (2024) – General Titus
• Trap (2024) – FBI Director
• Last Breath (2025, Upcoming) – Supporting Role

Television

• Wayward Pines (2015–2016) – Carl (TV Series)
• What If…? (2021) – Korath (Voice, TV Series)

Net Worth

Djimon Hounsou‘s net worth is estimated at $12 million USD. His wealth is primarily derived from his acting career, with significant earnings from high-grossing films like Gladiator ($460 million worldwide), Blood Diamond ($171 million), Guardians of the Galaxy ($773 million), and Captain Marvel ($1.1 billion).