Djimon Hounsou’s Ex Riza Simpson Arrested in Shocking Assault Dispute
Serious legal trouble has emerged from the private life of Academy Award-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou.
The actor’s ex-girlfriend, Riza Marie Simpson, has been arrested and charged following a domestic dispute that allegedly turned physical. According to documents obtained by the press, Simpson was booked into the Atlanta City Detention Center on Friday, January 16.
The charge listed against Simpson is “battery – family violence,” and the filing notes that this is her first offense. The misdemeanor charge stems from an altercation that reportedly occurred in December 2025. The conflict appears to have originated from a dispute regarding Simpson’s living situation at a residence owned by the actor.
According to the incident report filed with the Atlanta Police Department, Hounsou claimed that the confrontation escalated when he attempted to remove Simpson from his property. The actor, who is 61 years old, alleged that Simpson hit him in the face “with a closed fist” during the argument. Hounsou told officers that while their children were upstairs during the incident, they did not witness the alleged assault directly.
However, Hounsou noted in the police report that the children might have heard the altercation taking place. Following the actor’s allegations, the Atlanta Police Department issued a warrant for Simpson’s arrest. When law enforcement arrived to execute the warrant on Friday, the situation reportedly became complicated.
Simpson was taken into custody not only for the battery charge but also for disorderly conduct and obstruction. These additional charges were filed after she allegedly provided false information when confronted by the officers. The arrest was reportedly a chaotic scene, with police noting that Simpson’s children were present and could be heard crying in the background when officers knocked on the door.
Simpson was released from the Atlanta City Detention Center on Tuesday after posting a $500 bond. However, her legal issues were not resolved upon release, as she was immediately transferred to the Fulton County Jail due to the outstanding arrest warrant. A court hearing regarding the matter is scheduled for Wednesday, January 21, at 9 a.m. local time.
This incident sheds light on a relationship that Hounsou has largely managed to keep out of the public eye. Hounsou and Simpson share two children, a son and a daughter, but have rarely made public appearances together. One of the few times the family was photographed collectively was in March 2023, when Simpson accompanied Hounsou to the world premiere of Shazam! Fury of the Gods in Los Angeles.
Djimon Hounsou has built a formidable reputation in Hollywood over the last three decades, known for his imposing screen presence and emotional depth. Born in Benin, he moved to France at the age of 13 and initially experienced homelessness before being discovered as a model. His transition to acting was cemented by his powerful breakout role in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama Amistad, where he played Cinqué.
He garnered significant critical acclaim and received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in In America and Blood Diamond. In Blood Diamond, he starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, delivering a performance that many critics cited as the emotional anchor of the film. His filmography is incredibly diverse, ranging from Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning Gladiator to action blockbusters like Furious 7.
In recent years, Hounsou has become a key figure in several major cinematic universes. He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Korath the Pursuer, appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel. Simultaneously, he took on the role of the ancient Wizard in the DC Extended Universe, serving as a mentor figure in the Shazam! franchise and appearing in Black Adam.
Hounsou also starred in Zack Snyder’s expansive sci-fi opera Rebel Moon, which was released in two parts on Netflix. In the films, he played General Titus, a disgraced commander seeking redemption, a role that allowed him to showcase both his physical prowess and dramatic range. He also returned to the horror genre recently with a role in the box-office hit A Quiet Place: Day One.
Prior to his relationship with Simpson, Hounsou was in a high-profile partnership with model and business mogul Kimora Lee Simmons. The two began dating in 2007 and welcomed their son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, in May 2009. They announced their separation in November 2012 after more than five years together, though they have continued to co-parent their son, who is now 16 years old.
Despite his consistent work in high-grossing films, Hounsou has recently opened up about the struggles of maintaining a career in Hollywood. He has spoken in interviews about feeling that he still has to fight for pay equity and recognition despite his long tenure in the industry. As he navigates this personal legal matter, fans will be waiting to see how it impacts his upcoming production schedule.
Let us know if you think Hollywood studios provide enough support for actors dealing with personal domestic crises in the comments.