He went on to star in the Academy Award-winning epic GLADIATOR, in which he played Juba, the fiery warrior who befriends Maximus (Russell Crowe).
His recent work includes Shekhar Kapur's THE FOUR FEATHERS, BIKER BOYZ with Laurence Fishburne, LARA CROFT TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE directed by Jan De Bont, and the forthcoming MURAYA from director Jan Kounen.
Born in Benin, West Africa, Hounsou moved to Paris at the age of 13 for his education. At 22, he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who immediately featured him in several of his design campaigns, as well as in his book Thierry Mugler Photographs. Hounsou was also a subject in the late Herb Ritts' book Men and Women.
Hounsou was subsequently spotted by director David Fincher (FIGHT CLUB, SEVEN), who cast him in three music videos: Steve Winwood's "Roll With It," Madonna's "Express Yourself" and Paula Abdul's "Straight Up."
Once established as an international model, Hounsou made the move to Los Angeles where he taught himself English (largely by watching television documentaries) and broke into acting.
A featured role in the Janet Jackson video "Love Will Never Do Without You" caught the attention of agents and casting directors and led to roles in such films as STARGATE, UNLAWFUL ENTRY and DEEP RISING, before landing the career-making role in Steven Spielberg's AMISTAD.
Hounsou has also been seen in a recurring role on televison's popular "E.R."
