Acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou, a veteran of Marvel, DC, Netflix, and countless other productions, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (In America and Blood Diamond) and a prolific 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, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I'm definitely underpaid."
This sentiment echoes Hounsou's 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, also alluded to the impact of racism and xenophobia on his career. He recounted instances where studio executives perceived him as a newcomer, despite his extensive experience. "When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting," he observed. "But it is what it is. It’s up to me to redeem that."
His 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.
