Djimon Hounsou's Hollywood Struggle

Renowned actor Djimon Hounsou, a prominent figure in Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other film productions, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles within 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" and faces persistent financial hardship.

"I'm still struggling to make a living," Hounsou stated in a CNN interview. "I've been in this business making films for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many blockbuster films, and yet, I'm still struggling financially. I'm definitely underpaid."

Djimon Hounsou. Image credit: Rob Kim/Getty Images for The Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund.

This sentiment echoes Hounsou's 2023 comments 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, further suggested that racism and xenophobia have significantly impacted his career trajectory. He recounted instances where studio executives expressed surprise at his continued presence in Hollywood, implying a perception of him as a fleeting presence rather than a seasoned professional. "When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting," he noted. "But it is what it is. It’s up to me to redeem that."

Hounsou's 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 many more.