Djimon Gaston Hounsou (/ˈdʒaɪmən ˈuːnsuː/ JY-mən OON-soo;[1] French: [dʒimɔ̃ unsu]; born April 24, 1964)[2] is a Beninese-born American actor.

A chance meeting with a photographer led to an introduction to fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged Hounsou to pursue a modelling career.

[citation needed][5] Between 1989 and 1991, Hounsou appeared in the music videos for "Straight Up" by Paula Abdul, "I Don't Wanna Lose You" by Tina Turner, "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" by Janet Jackson and Madonna's "Express Yourself".

[10] Director Tim Story told IGN that if he had done a third Fantastic Four film, he would have liked Hounsou to portray Black Panther.

He also voiced Drago Blodfist in How to Train Your Dragon 2 and portrayed Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, both in 2014.

[18][failed verification] In 2018, Hounsou joined the DC Extended Universe, voicing the Fisherman King Ricou in Aquaman (with the character motion-captured by Andrew Crawford).

In November 2022, it was announced that Honsou had joined the cast of the film based on the Gran Turismo video game, with Geri Halliwell playing his wife.

He blamed systemic racism for this predicament, saying that, despite having been twice nominated for an Academy Award, he is still "struggling financially to make a living.

[25][26] In 2010, Hounsou was featured as the narrator in ESPN's series of "32 Teams, 1 Dream" commercials for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

[27] On 1 December 2009, he told French media that developed countries "need to be held accountable" for their contribution to climate change.

[28] In 2018, Hounsou made his directorial debut with the documentary film In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, which examines the history, nature and religious practices of West African Vodun.

[31] In 2024, Hounsou had a guest performance on South African record producer and DJ Black Coffee's "Ode to Ancestors" song which was included in an EP inspired by Zack Snyder's movie, Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver.