Djimon Hounsou, a seasoned actor known for his roles in films across Marvel, DC, Netflix, and beyond, has openly discussed his financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite his impressive resume, which includes two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in "In America" and "Blood Diamond," Hounsou revealed to CNN that he is "still struggling to make a living" and feels "definitely underpaid" in the industry.
"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," Hounsou stated, highlighting the disparity between his achievements and his earnings.
These sentiments are not new for Hounsou, who in 2023 shared similar frustrations with The Guardian, saying, "I’ve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well."
As a black actor from Benin, Hounsou has also pointed to racism and xenophobia as factors impacting his career. He recounted experiences in studio meetings where executives expressed surprise at his continued presence in the industry, saying, "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.'" Hounsou reflected on these encounters, noting, "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."
Despite these challenges, Hounsou's recent work includes notable roles in "A Quiet Place: Day One," the two "Rebel Moon" films on Netflix, the video game adaptation "Gran Turismo," "The King's Man," "Shazam: Fury of the Gods," "Captain Marvel," and "Fast and Furious 7," among others, showcasing his continued relevance and versatility in the industry.
