Djimon Hounsou, a prolific actor with credits spanning Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other major productions, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (In America and Blood Diamond) and a long career in blockbuster films, 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 for over two decades, with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films under my belt, yet I'm still struggling financially. I'm definitely underpaid."
This echoes sentiments Hounsou expressed in 2023 to The Guardian, where he described feeling "cheated, tremendously cheated," regarding both his financial compensation and workload compared to some less-accomplished peers.
Hounsou, a Black actor from Benin, also cited racism and xenophobia as potential factors hindering his career progression. He recounted instances of being perceived as a newcomer to the industry, even after established roles. "When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting," he commented. "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 duology (Netflix), Gran Turismo, The King's Man, Shazam: Fury of the Gods, Captain Marvel, Fast and Furious 7, and many more.
