Renowned actor Djimon Hounsou, a prominent figure in Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other film franchises, 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 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, further alleges that racism and xenophobia have significantly impacted his career trajectory. He recounted instances where studio executives perceived him as a newcomer to the industry, even after establishing himself as a seasoned actor.
"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 shared. "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 a multitude of other notable films. This underscores the disparity between his prolific career and his reported financial hardship.
