Acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou, known for his roles in Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other films, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (for In America and Blood Diamond) and a prolific career spanning over two decades in blockbuster films, Hounsou told CNN he is "definitely underpaid" and "still struggling to make a living."
He elaborated on these difficulties, stating, "I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I'm definitely underpaid." These sentiments echo his 2023 interview with The Guardian, where he expressed feeling "cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well," comparing his financial situation to that of less-accomplished peers.
Hounsou, a Black actor from Benin, also alluded to the impact of racism and xenophobia on his career. He recounted instances of being perceived as a newcomer to the industry even after establishing himself, stating, "I’ve gone to studios for meetings and they’re like, ‘Wow, we felt like you just got off the boat and then went back [after Amistad]. We didn’t know you were here as a true actor.'" He added, "When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting. But it is what it is. It’s up to me to redeem that."
His recent projects include A Quiet Place: Day One, the Rebel Moon films (Netflix), Gran Turismo, The King's Man, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Captain Marvel, Fast and Furious 7, and many more.
