Get here the net worth of Djimon Hounsou.
Djimon Hounsou Net Worth
Djimon Hounsou is a Beninese-American actor and model who has a net worth of $12 million.
He is best known for his appearances in the films “Amistad” (1997), “Gladiator” (2000), “In America” (2003), “Blood Diamond” (2006), and “Furious 7” (2015). He is also known for playing the character Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Wizard in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” (2023).
Djimon Hounsou’s Life and Career
Hounsou’s journey from rags to riches is an inspiring one. He was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, Benin, a former French colony that gained independence in 1960. When he was twelve years old, he emigrated with his brother to Lyon, France. He dropped out of school and experienced homelessness until he met fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged him to pursue modeling.
Hounsou began his modeling career in Paris in 1987 and moved to the United States three years later. He started his acting career with appearances in music videos for artists like Paula Abdul, Madonna, and Janet Jackson. His film debut was in “Without You I’m Nothing” (1990), directed by Sandra Bernhard.
Hounsou’s breakthrough role was as Cinqué, a leader of a slave revolt on board a ship, in Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad” (1997). The film earned him critical acclaim and recognition. He went on to star in other acclaimed films like “Gladiator” (2000), where he played Maximus’ loyal friend Juba; “In America” (2003), where he played Mateo, an artist dying of AIDS; and “Blood Diamond” (2006), where he played Solomon Vandy, a fisherman who finds a rare diamond amid civil war.
Hounsou received two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in “In America” and “Blood Diamond”. He also received Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations for both films. However, he felt cheated by the industry and the media for not giving him enough support and recognition. He also felt that his co-star Leonardo DiCaprio overshadowed him in “Blood Diamond”, even though the film focused on his character.
Hounsou has also appeared in blockbuster films like “Furious 7” (2015), where he played Mose Jakande, a terrorist leader; and several Marvel films like “Guardians of the Galaxy” (2014) and “Captain Marvel” (2019), where he played Korath the Pursuer, a Kree mercenary. He reprised his role as Korath in Marvel’s animated series “What If…?” (2021).
In 2023, Hounsou starred as the Wizard Shazam in DC’s superhero film “Shazam! Fury of the Gods”. The Wizard is an ancient being who grants Billy Batson his powers to transform into Shazam. Hounsou said that he still struggles to make a dollar in Hollywood despite his long and successful career. He said that things are improving for him but he still gets lowballed on pay.
Hounsou is also involved in other work besides acting. He is a producer of films like “Biker Boyz” (2003) and documentaries like “In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven” (2018). He is also a dancer and voice actor who has lent his voice to video games like “Stranglehold” (2007) and animated films like “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (2014).
Hounsou has been married twice: first to fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons from 2008 to 2012; then to model Nicole Mitchell Murphy from 2019 to the present. He has two sons: Kenzo Lee Hounsou with Simmons; and Wolfe Lee Hounsou with Murphy.
Hounsou is one of the most prominent African actors working today. His net worth reflects his hard work and talent over decades of acting. He has overcome many challenges and obstacles along the way but has never given up on his dreams.
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