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Djimon Gaston Hounsou (born on April 24, 1964) is an African actor, dancer
and fashion model who was born in Cotonou, Benin. Hounsou immigrated to
Paris at the age of 13 with a brother, 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 and a guest starring role on
Alias, but his first major role was in the science fiction film Stargate. In
1997, he starred in Amistad and in 2000 played a major supporting role in
Gladiator.
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He also played a major supporting role, Mr. Laurent, in The Island with Ewan
McGregor, Scarlett Johansen and Sean Bean.
In 2004, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor,
for In America. Along with Charlize Theron (who is South African), Hounsou
was the first African to be nominated for an Oscar.
He is a naturalized U.S. citizen. |
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