Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Hounsou is a Benin-born actor and former model known for playing Cinqué in Amistad and for Academy Award-nominated supporting performances in In America and Blood Diamond. His public work has also included advocacy concerning homelessness, the African diaspora and human trafficking.

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About Djimon Hounsou

Profile information current to 2026-08-22.

Benin; United States · Actor, Model · 1 affiliation

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Known for: Film acting; Homelessness advocacy; African diaspora and anti-human-trafficking advocacy
Country: Benin; United States

Actor
Model

At a glance

Hounsou's film career includes prominent roles in Amistad, In America, Blood Diamond and Guardians of the Galaxy.
He received Academy Award nominations for his supporting performances in In America and Blood Diamond, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Amistad.
Before becoming established as an actor, he worked in runway and commercial modeling and appeared in music videos.
His public advocacy has drawn on his experience of homelessness and has addressed youth homelessness, connections between Africa and its diaspora, modern slavery and human trafficking.

From Benin to France and Hollywood

Hounsou was born in Benin and moved to France during his youth, although sources disagree on whether he was 12 or 13 at the time. He has described experiencing homelessness in France before entering runway and commercial modeling and appearing in music videos. He moved from France to Hollywood in 1990.

Film career and awards recognition

Hounsou's portrayal of Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's Amistad was identified by sources as his breakthrough and brought a Golden Globe nomination. He later received Academy Award nominations for supporting roles in In America and Blood Diamond. His subsequent work included playing Korath in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Public advocacy

Hounsou testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, referring to his own experience of homelessness in France. In 2019, he announced the formation of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation at the United Nations in New York City; the foundation describes its work as reconnecting the African diaspora with Africa and combating modern slavery and human trafficking.

Connection to the United States

In a 2007 interview, Hounsou said that he held a U.S. passport and described America as home. The reviewed evidence does not establish the date or legal chronology of any naturalization or dual-nationality status.

Affiliations

Djimon Hounsou Foundation Founder and Chairman of the Board present

Timeline

1990 Moved to Hollywood from France.
1997 Played Cinqué in Amistad, a role identified by sources as his breakthrough.
1998 Received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama for Amistad.
2004-02-29 Was nominated for the Academy Award for Actor in a Supporting Role for In America at the 76th Academy Awards.
2007-02-25 Was nominated for the Academy Award for Actor in a Supporting Role for Blood Diamond at the 79th Academy Awards.
2019-12-02 Announced the formation of the Djimon Hounsou Foundation at the United Nations in New York City.

Additional verified details

Current context

The Djimon Hounsou Foundation identifies Hounsou as its Founder and Chairman of the Board. The current-status claim is based on the foundation's self-description as accessed on the observation date.

Biographical facts

Hounsou was born in Benin and moved to France during his youth, where sources report that he experienced homelessness.
Before becoming established as an actor, he worked in runway and commercial modeling and appeared in music videos.
He played Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's Amistad.
In a 2007 interview, Hounsou said that he held a U.S. passport and described America as home.
He testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, referring to his experience of homelessness in France.
The Djimon Hounsou Foundation says its work includes reconnecting the African diaspora with Africa and combating modern slavery and human trafficking.