Djimon Hounsou hasn’t had a fairy tale career in Hollywood.
Despite being a two-time Oscar-nominated actor who has appeared in blockbuster films, Hounsou, 60, recently revealed that he’s “still struggling trying to make a living” in the industry.
Djimon Hounsou at the “Rebel Moon” premiere in LA in December 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Djimon Hounsou at the “A Quiet Place: Day One” premiere at Lincoln Square in June. FilmMagic“I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially,” he said on CNN’s “African Voices: Changemakers.”
“I’m definitely underpaid,” he added.
Djimon Hounsou in “Amistad.” DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection
Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou in “Blood Diamond.” Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett CollectionHounsou’s most famous movies include “Amistad,” “Gladiator,” “In America,” “Blood Diamond,” “How To Train Your Dragon 2,” “Guardians of the Galaxy,” “Captain Marvel,” “Charlie’s Angels,” “Shazam!,” “A Quiet Place Part II,” “A Quiet Place: Day One” and both “Rebel Moon” films.
His roles in “In America” and “Blood Diamond” earned him nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2004 and 2007.
Hounsou, who was born in Benin, in Western Africa, and immigrated to the US at 23, said he believes he was snubbed by the Oscars for his performance in Steven Spielberg’s “Amistad.”
Djimon Hounsou in “Amistad.” DreamWorks/Courtesy Everett Collection“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets,” Hounsou recalled.
“Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect,” he added.
Hounsou went on, “This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism doesn’t change like that anytime soon.”
Djimon Hounsou at the “A Quiet Place: Day One” premiere in June. FilmMagicThe actor previously opened up about his struggles in Hollywood while speaking to the Guardian in March 2023.
“I’m still struggling to try to make a dollar!” he said in the interview.
Emma Bolger, Djimon Hounsou in “In America.” Fox Searchlight/Courtesy Everett Collection
Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou in “Blood Diamond.” Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Djimon Hounsou, Lupita Nyong’o in “A Quiet Place: Day One.” Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection“I’ve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well,” Hounsou explained.
Hounsou added he continuously has to fight for commensurate pay.
Djimon Hounsou at the “Rebel Moon” premiere. Getty Images for Netflix“I still have to prove why I need to get paid,” he shared. “They always come at me with a complete low ball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much’… Film after film, it’s a struggle. I have yet to meet the film that paid me fairly.”
Hounsou’s upcoming films include “Beneath the Storm,” a survival thriller starring Phoebe Dynevor; “The Zealot,” a thriller based on a 2016 play; and “The Monster,” a horror movie directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, the filmmaker behind the “Saw” sequels.
