Renowned actor Djimon Hounsou, a prominent figure in Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other film productions, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite a distinguished career spanning over two decades, including two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (In America and Blood Diamond) and starring roles in countless blockbusters, Hounsou claims he remains underpaid.
"I’m still struggling to make a living," Hounsou told CNN. "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."
This sentiment echoes his 2023 statement to 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 potential impact of racism and xenophobia on his career. He recounted instances where studio executives expressed surprise at his continued presence in Hollywood, suggesting a limited perception of his capabilities. "When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting," he stated. "But it is what it is. It’s up to me to redeem that."
Hounsou's recent credits 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.
