Renowned actor Djimon Hounsou, whose impressive filmography spans Marvel, DC, Netflix, and countless other productions, recently revealed a disheartening truth: he continues to struggle financially in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (for In America and Blood Diamond) and a career filled with blockbuster appearances, Hounsou told CNN he is significantly underpaid. "I’m still struggling to make a living," he stated. "I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades…and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I'm definitely underpaid."
This echoes sentiments Hounsou shared in 2023 with The Guardian, where he expressed feeling "cheated…in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well," comparing his financial situation to more financially successful colleagues with fewer accolades.
Hounsou, a Black actor from Benin, also alluded to the 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…is very limiting," he reflected. "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 numerous other notable films.
