Djimon Hounsou
(1964 – )
Actor, model
Djimon Hounsou is a Beninese-American actor and model, born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin. Hounsou’s parents divorced when he was young, and he was forced to live on the streets for a time before being taken in by a French aid worker. Hounsou moved to France at the age of 13 and later relocated to the United States to pursue a career in modeling and acting.
Hounsou first gained attention for his role in the 1997 film “Amistad,” directed by Steven Spielberg. He went on to earn critical acclaim for his performances in films such as “In America,” “Blood Diamond,” and “The Tempest.” Hounsou has been nominated for two Academy Awards and has won several other awards for his acting.
In addition to his work in film, Hounsou has also worked as a model, appearing in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Givenchy, and other high-end brands. He is also known for his philanthropic work, supporting causes such as the fight against malaria and efforts to improve access to clean water.
Motivational Quote:
I hope more people will ask diamond companies to continue changing the way they do business in Africa.
5 Success Lessons
to learn from Djimon Hounsou
- Try to tell stories that have social impact and social attributes to them.
- Rehearse but don’t beat yourself up.
- Embrace who you are as a person.
- You can teach yourself, anything you want (Djimon learned English by watching television).
- Being educated and being intelligent are two different things.
Sources: djf.foundation djimonhounsou.com
