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Biography #2

Djimon Gaston Hounsou (born April 24, 1964) is an African actor, dancer and fashion model, born in the West African country of Benin. Hounsou immigrated to Paris at the age of 13, and lived on the streets, until he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who made him a model.

Modeling led to acting. His film debut was in Without You I'm Nothing, and he had a parts on Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER, but his first major role was in the science fiction film Stargate. In 1997, he starred in Amistad.

In 2004, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for In America. He is the first African to be nominated for the award.

Article licensed under the GNU FDL. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Djimon Hounsou" (05-May-2005)

Biography #3 (for Four Feathers)

Djimon Hounsou received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Cinque, the rebel slave leader in Amistad. Most recently he was seen in the Academy Award-winning epic. Gladiator, as Juba, the fiery warrior who befriends Maximus.

Born in Benin, West Africa, Hounsou moved to Paris at the age of 13 for his education. At 22, he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Muglar, who immediately featured him in several of his design campaigns. Hounsou has also starred in commercials for David Fincher (Alien 3 and Seven) and legendary photographer, Herb Ritts.

Once established as an international model, Hounsou made the move to Los Angeles where he taught himself English (largely by watching television documentaries) and broke into acting. A featured role in the Janet Jackson video, Love Will Never Do Without You, caught the attention of agents and casting directors and led to small roles in such films as Stargate, Unlawful Entry and Deep Rising, before landing the career-making role Steven Spielberg's Amistad.

Hounsou's upcoming projects include Jim Sheridan's new, still untitled semi-autobiographical film, opening November 27th, and the Western Blueberry, directed by Jan Kounen. He will also star in the actioneer, Biker Boyz, and in the second installment of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, also for Paramount Pictures.

Bio courtesy Paramount for "Four Feathers" (23-Sep-2002)

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