introducing
Djimon Hounsou
er, sort of
Story by
Todd Williams
Images by Scott Hebert for Steed Media Service
He’s
one of the most recognized actors in film. He’s got one of the most
enviable filmographies in Hollywood. He’s half of one of the country’s
most photographed celebrity couples. He’s been modeling for companies
like GAP and Calvin Klein since “Family Matters” was on the air. He’s a
two-time Oscar® nominee. But, believe me …
You don’t know Djimon Hounsou.
After more than a decade in the spotlight, the African-born actor has
remained largely enigmatic. But what he does share is noteworthy. He
brings a certain honor to each character he plays, no matter how the
character’s drawn.
“It’s extremely important for me to play characters of great integrity
— [in spite] of the choices those characters make — right or wrong,” he
explains. “Integrity has to do with [having] a savoir faire and a way
of living your life with great values and respect for others.”
As a youth living in Cotonou, Benin, Hounsou, the youngest of five
children, was greatly influenced by his mother, whose compassion and
commitment to her children was matched by her personal grace and
dignity. “The greatest lessons in integrity that I’ve ever received
were from my Mom,” he says, pausing thoughtfully. “The way that she
carried herself and raised me and the rest of my brothers is quite
impressive.”
Hounsou immigrated to France to live with his brother and pursue an
education. The restless youth soon dropped out of school however, and
spent time living on the streets of Paris. He was eventually spotted by
a fashion photographer and introduced to clothing designer Thierry
Mugler. Hounsou quickly began work as a model and gained a reputation
throughout France before moving to the U.S. in 1990. Hounsou now
believes the turbulent experience was an invaluable part of his
development as a man. “I’ve lived in three different continents and
I’ve experienced three different continents. It was such an amazing
journey,” shares Housou. “[I’ve] learned … so much over time — and I’m
still learning.”
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In his latest film, the sci-fi adventure Push,
Hounsou breaks from his pattern of playing heroic figures and valiant
warriors. “The character is Henry Carver, who is the head of Division,
a shadowy government agency that’s looking to enhance the abilities of
anybody imbued with supernatural powers,” he explains. Carver will
resort to any tactics to try and capture these gifted persons of
interest, and Hounsou jumped at the chance to play the heavy in a film.
“Obviously, this is the first time I’m playing an antagonist in a
film,” he says. “The reason why I was driven to be a part of this film
is because I’m truly [intrigued] about the ‘cop’ world and … anything
that has to do with the supernatural.”
Carver is a by-product of Hounsou’s own interests — and his
imagination brought the agent to life, which is a marked shift from
many of his true-life films like Amistad and Blood Diamond.
“You couldn’t do too much research on this subject, so most of it was
left to my imagination. Really, it was delightful just to be the
character without necessarily drawing from anybody — or any experience.”
Hounsou has followed his instincts throughout his career. While his
romance with model-designer-author Kimora Lee Simmons may garner
headlines, the intensely private actor refuses to speak a word about
their relationship or Simmons’ pregnancy. He’s not trying to be an
‘open book,’ there’s a measured thoughtfulness to all of his answers,
while he’s selecting the right words to convey what he’s thinking. He’s
also making sure to not inadvertently divulge any private musings. He’s
nothing if not thoughtful, in life and in business. “I have [seen]
African Americans being portrayed in very disrespectful ways in films,
and that was a part of the reason [that] early on, I was driven mostly
to play characters who have great values,” the 44-year-old reveals.
“[But] you approach work and the business like a man. If you look at
yourself as a color in this industry, you’re creating too many
obstacles for yourself.”
But Hounsou recognizes that he is a man of color however, and one with
a uniquely global perspective. In watching the election and
inauguration of the first black president of the United States, Hounsou
was inspired. But not in the same way that many others were. Instead of
focusing on what Barack Obama’s election meant to the world’s view of
people of color, he was more riveted by the seemingly heightened sense
of individual optimism, inspiration and responsibility. “I’m not too
concerned about the world’s view [of blacks], even though the world’s
view was important, which is why we championed the election of someone
like Obama,” he says. “I think he will bring the world together — but I
think it’s [about] what we do with it. It’s not so much [about] someone
else’s point of view, but ‘what do I do with that notion?’ ”
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Hounsou
also noted the remarkable positivity generated from Obama’s campaign,
which has also been a source of personal inspiration for him. “It [was]
respect and intelligence,” he says. “There are so many great leaders in
the world, like [Nelson] Mandela. You look at Sidney Poitier [and] how
poised he was with his career in Hollywood. And looking at Obama today
— it’s extremely rewarding for minorities.”
“It was beautiful to watch him run his campaign like a man, not like an
African American [man] or a white [man] or any other race. It was just
beautiful. And I personally don’t think I have any excuse — not that I
had any before — but this time around I certainly don’t have any excuse
to lack in any way. He’s put the bar so high for all of us and we do
need to reach that level,” says Hounsou.
It would be hard to fathom what higher standards Djimon Hounsou could
set for himself. He’s gone from being penniless in Paris to walking
runways in Milan and New York, to starring alongside Janet Jackson and
Madonna in music videos. He’s avoided being snared by the traps of
Tinseltown while being romantically linked to iconic beauties like
Simmons, and briefly, Cameron Diaz. He’s been nominated for the
industry’s highest awards, and those Oscar nods served as a notice to
the accomplished thespian that he had reached a plateau that few ever
attain. “It was unbelievable for me to be nominated,” admits Hounsou. “
I mostly dreamed [that I would] just work and do good work. But to be
nominated for [what] you love doing — and [for something] you were very
challenged in making come together — it’s absolutely rewarding. That
said, with the excitement comes quite a lot of intimidation and fear.
You’re just going to have to leave room to enjoy the moment.”
In that last statement lies the true dichotomy of Hounsou. He describes
the highlight of his professional career with both great joy and great
trepidation — almost having to remind himself that he’s supposed to be
enjoying the honor. That’s the essence of Hounsou: measured, caustic
and always thoughtful. He’s joined the ranks of modern-day leading men
like Washington, Foxx and Howard, but even as his celebrity star shines
ever-brighter and his personal life becomes more fodder for gossip
columns, he remains shrouded in mystery, his cautionary demeanor is
further evidence of one unequivocal truth …
You don’t know Djimon Hounsou.
