Hounsou: Hollywood Struggle Despite Oscar Nods

Acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou, known for his roles in major films from Marvel, DC, Netflix, and beyond, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (for In America and Blood Diamond) and a prolific career spanning over two decades in blockbuster films, Hounsou told CNN he is "definitely underpaid" and "still struggling to make a living."

He elaborated on his financial difficulties, stating, "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." These sentiments echo 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 colleagues with fewer accolades.

Hounsou, a Black actor from Benin, also alluded to the impact of racism and xenophobia on his career. He recounted experiences where studio executives expressed surprise at his continued presence in Hollywood, suggesting a perception of him as a limited or temporary presence. "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," he stated.

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 numerous other films.