Meet the Nominees -- 2007 Academy Awards

For the first time in Academy Awards history, five Black actors are nominated for major acting awards. As we countdown to the industry's star-studded night, here's one more look at this history-making group of nominees.

Djimon Hounsou, 42
Blood Diamond
Role: Hounsou stars as a fisherman who is snagged by rebels and finds a rare pink diamond in Sierra Leone.
Why We Like Him: Hounsou’s exotic look and passionate performances make him one of the industry’s most sought-after actors.
First Exposure: His raw and powerful cry of “Give Us Free,” electrified audiences in Amistad.
Little Known Fact: He came to Paris from Benin at the age of 13, couldn't find a job and ended up as a vagrant, sleeping under bridges and rummaging in trash cans for food. His life changed when fashion designer Thierry Mugler discovered him and made him a fashion model.
Next Project: He will star as a talented pianist trying to free himself from his friends in the ’hood in Trunk.


Jennifer Hudson, 25
Dreamgirls
Role: Hudson stars as the odd singer out in the girl group The Dreams in Dreamgirls.
Why We Like Her: She is living a true Cinderella story after being voted off of “American Idol.”
First Exposure: As the soulful and animated singer that Simon Cowell and company dismissed on “American Idol.”
Little Known Fact: She beat out “American Idol” winner Fantasia Barrino for her role in Dreamgirls; One of a very few actors to receive an Oscar-nomination for a debut performance.
Next Project: She is currently guest-starring on BET’s “One Night Only.”


Eddie Murphy, 45
Dreamgirls
Role: Murphy plays a doomed, womanizing soul singer, Jimmy Early, who is a hybrid of several artists, including James Brown and Jackie Wilson.
Why We Like Him: He has been making audiences laugh for a quarter-century in films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Boomerang and The Nutty Professor.
First Exposure: On TV, Murphy made his name on “Saturday Night Live” and later in the movies, in “48 Hrs.” and Beverley Hills Cop.
Little Known Fact: Has starred in more sequels than any other actor: Beverly Hills Cop II, Another 48 Hrs., Dr. Dolittle 2, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Shrek 2 and the upcoming Shrek 3. In addition, he is arguably the biggest movie star ever to come out of "SNL," yet he has never attended a cast reunion and is not known to even talk about having been on the show.
Next Project: He will reprise his role as “Donkey” in the upcoming Shrek 3.


Will Smith, 38
The Pursuit of Happyness
Role: Smith plays a struggling single father, raising his son on the streets of San Francisco; based on a true story.
Why We Like Him: Smith’s affable personality, coupled with his star power, makes him one of the industry’s true good guys
First Exposure: On TV, as the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” and as a gay con artist in Six Degrees of Separation.
Little Known Fact: His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, went to high school with the late Tupac Shakur. The two once made a homemade video, singing “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” by her future husband, Smith.
Next Project: After fighting Sonny Liston and Aliens, Smith will battle vampires in I Am Legend.


Forest Whitaker, 45
The Last King of Scotland
Role: Whitaker played former Uganda dictator Idi Amin.
Why We Like Him: Whitaker’s range is extensive. Recently, he has shown a flair for the big screen as well as television with an intense guest performance on “ER.”
First Exposure: He was part of the ensemble of the cult comedy classic, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Later, Whitaker gained additional attention in Platoon.
Little Known Fact: He was born with an eye condition called amblyopia, commonly known as "lazy eye."
Next Project: Later this year, Whitaker will play the role of “Happiness” in the film, The Air I Breathe.

This feature also appeared on BET.com.