Djimon Hounsou has been acting for over three decades, appearing in acclaimed films such as Gladiator, Blood Diamond, Amistad, and many more throughout his career. Recently, he has shed light on the harsh realities of Hollywood, particularly for actors of color.
In a candid conversation on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, two-time Oscar nominee Hounsou revealed that despite a career spanning over 30 years and numerous blockbuster roles, he continues to face financial struggles.
“I’m still struggling to make a living,” Hounsou shared. “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. I’m definitely underpaid.”
Hounsou became a breakout star with his portrayal of Joseph Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997), a performance that earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Drama.
However, he said the industry failed to fully embrace him, citing systemic racism and a lack of respect for his craft. “They ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets,” he stated.
The actor, who has since been featured in major franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC films, lamented the persistent inequity in Hollywood, particularly when it comes to pay. “I still have to prove why I need to get paid,” Hounsou said in a 2023 interview with The Guardian. “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.’”
Hounsou acknowledges the progress that has been made in the industry but says there is still work to be done. “This conceptual idea of diversity and all that, it still has a long way to go. Systemic racism don’t change like that anytime soon,” he said.
Hounsou’s comments add to the broader conversation about pay disparities faced by actors of color in Hollywood.
During the press tour for The Color Purple musical, veteran actor Taraji P. Henson shared her own experiences with unequal pay. Despite her decades of success, Henson revealed that she has often been underpaid compared to her white counterparts.
She noted that even after her breakthrough role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where she earned an Oscar nomination, her paycheck remained disproportionately low. “We bring value to the projects we work on, yet we’re constantly undervalued and told to take less,” Henson said. Her comments, like Hounsou’s, highlight the systemic inequities in the entertainment industry that continue to marginalize Black talent.
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