Since gaining international recognition with his famous cry, “Give us free” in the riveting story of the slave ship Amistad, Djimon Hounsou has been wowing audience with his passionate delivery and commanding presence on the big screen. The actor’s latest role in the spellbinding thriller “Blood Diamond”, has garnered him the 2007 Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

The dark chocolate 6 ft. 2" hunk is not only known for his ripping good body that has strutted on the catwalks of Paris and London as a popular male model, but for his strong and powerful presence and prowess as a actor, for TV and the big screen.

Hailing from Cotonou Benin, West Africa, Hounsou moved to France at age 13 with a brother and lived on the streets until he was discovered by fashion designer Thierry Mugler and started modeling. He appeared in music videos, such as Janet Jackson’s “Love will Never Do (without you)” – his first on screen appearance in 1990, Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” and Madonna’s “Express Yourself”. The next bold step was acting which he did with debut film “Without You I’m Nothing” alongside Sandra Bernard in 1990 as well.

With roles on Beverly Hills, 90210 and ER and a guest-starring role on Alias, Hounsou conquered TV and got a bigger role in the science fiction movie “Stargate”. But it was his critically acclaimed role as Joseph Cinqué, the leader of a slave ship rebellion, in the 1997 Steven Spielberg film “Amistad” that catapulted his career and gave him a Golden Globe nomination. Honing his acting skills in films such as “Gladiator” (2000), “The Four Feathers” (2002), Laura Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life” (2003, Hounsou was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for “In America”, in 2004.

Appearing in films like “Hotel Rwanda” (2004) and “The Island” (2005) Hounsou nailed his roles and then moved on to a less serious and more romantic role in the flick “Beauty Shop” co-starring Queen Latifa.

Hounsou’s role as Solomon Vandy a poor farmer in 2006’s “Blood Diamond” has definitely stirred Award execs and again Oscar thinks he’s worthy. His co-star Leonardo DiCaprio is also nominated for the Best Actor award. Let’s all tune in on February 25 and see if these actors get the final nod.