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Djimon Hounsou Biography

Birth Name:Djimon Gaston Hounsou

Birth Place:Cotonou, Benin

Profession Actor, Producer, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

An environmentalist, he spoke at the United Nations' Summit on Climate Change in 2009
In 2006, he won a National Board of Review award for his work on "Blood Diamond․"
Got his big break when a he met fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged him to pursue a career in modeling
Frequently portrays characters who display their physicality in films
After moving to the U․S․, he learned to speak English by watching hours of television shows
In 2005, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States
While living in France, he was homeless for a short period of time after deciding to drop out of school

Awards

1998CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: nominated
1998Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1998Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actor: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Breakthrough Performance - Male: winner
1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Action: nominated
2003SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2004Oscar-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2004Black Reel-Film: Best Supporting Actor: winner
2004COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2004Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: winner
2004Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Drama: winner
2006DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2006Sierra Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2006NBR Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2006SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2006WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2006WFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2007Black Reel-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2014Hollywood Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2014NFCS Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2014PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2015COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
2018Knight Documentary Achievement Award-Best Documentary: nominated