Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Hounsou, right, and Leonardo DiCaprio get caught up in a struggle over a priceless gem in "Blood Diamond." Both gave Oscar-nominated performances in the movie; Hounsou, as a supporting actor, and DiCaprio, as a lead actor.

Many moviegoers first took note of Djimon Hounsou when he played the central role of Cinque in "Amistad" (1997), directed by Steven Spielberg. They are shown here at the movie's premiere in Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 8, 1997.

Hounsou also gained notice for playing Juba, Russell Crowe's slave warrior teammate in "Gladiator" (2000). Before breaking into movies, Hounsou appeared in music videos with such stars as Paula Abdul and Janet Jackson. Born in the West African nation of Benin on April 24, 1964, he went to Paris when he was 13 and starting working as a model.

From left, Brad Pitt, Djimon Hounsou and singer Bono share a light moment during a news conference April 6, 2005, in Beverly Hills, Calif. They were introducing a public service announcement for ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History.

The cast of "The Island" poses at a screening of the movie July 11, 2005, at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York. They are, from left, Sean Bean, Djimon Hounsou, director Michael Bay, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Clarke Duncan and Steve Buscemi.

Djimon Hounsou arrives at the July 11, 2005, screening of "The Island" in New York. In that film, Hounsou plays a villain who is after characters played by Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor. While Oscar ignored him for that one, he did get a nomination for playing a man dying of AIDS in "In America" (2002).

Djimon Hounsou attends a special screening of "Blood Diamond" at the Museum of Modern Art in New York on Nov. 30, 2006.

Actor Caruso Kuypers, left, speaks to actor Djimon Hounsou as they pose for photographers at the premiere of "Blood Diamond" Dec. 6, 2006, in Los Angeles.

'Eragon' Arrives — GETTY IMAGES/Dave Hogan

"Eragon" cast members pose together at the movie's world premiere at Odeon Leicester Square in London on Dec. 11, 2006. From left are Djimon Hounsou, Ed Speleers, John Malkovich, Sienna Guillory, Jeremy Irons and Robert Carlyle.

Singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge and actor Djimon Hounsou arrive at the 12th Annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., Jan. 12, 2007.

In this handout photo provided by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Djimon Hounsou and Sharon Stone present the award for Best Foreign Language Film during the 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 15, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Co-stars Leonardo DiCaprio, right, and Djimon Hounsou arrive for the European premiere of the film "Blood Diamond" in London on Jan. 23, 2007.

Djimon Hounsou walks the red carpet at the 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 28, 2007. He was nominated for his work in "Blood Diamond," but the honor went to Eddie Murphy ("Dreamgirls").

Actors and fellow nominees Djimon Hounsou ("Blood Diamond") and Mark Wahlberg ("The Departed") attend the 79th annual Academy Award nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 5, 2007, in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Here is another scene from "Blood Diamond" with Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly and Leonardo DiCaprio.