Djimon Hounsou Opens Up About Being Underpaid in Hollywood—“They Profit, We Struggle”:

He’s battled alongside Russell Crowe in Gladiator, bled for diamonds with Leonardo DiCaprio, and stood toe-to-toe with superheroes in both the DC and Marvel universes. And yet — despite a career spanning over 25 years, two Oscar nominations, and an unforgettable screen presence — Djimon Hounsou says he’s still fighting just to get by.

“I’m still struggling to make a living,” Hounsou revealed in a recent appearance on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers. “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.”

Let that sink in: one of the most commanding, talented, and reliable actors in Hollywood — someone who’s left a mark in nearly every genre — says he can’t catch a financial break. And sadly, this is not a rare case. It’s a truth too many actors live, especially those who aren’t white, or those working outside the lead spotlight.

Hounsou, 60, who was born in Benin and immigrated to the U.S. in his early 20s, first stunned audiences in Steven Spielberg’s Amistad (1997), playing the role of Cinqué with powerful grace. Though his performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination, he was left off the Oscar ballot — a decision he believes was racially biased.

“They thought I had just come off the boat and the streets,” he said. “Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect.”

That lack of respect — and more importantly, fair compensation — has continued to follow him. In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, Hounsou said bluntly:

“I have yet to meet the film that paid me fairly.”

It’s not just about money — it’s about value. Hounsou says the industry often lowballs him while showering praise:

“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.’”

Sound familiar? Viola Davis has said nearly the same thing — and she’s an Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winner.

A Purpose Beyond the Screen

Despite the challenges, Hounsou has used his platform to build something bigger. His Djimon Hounsou Foundation focuses on reconnecting Afro-descendant communities with their ancestral roots, inspired by the emotional journey he took while researching Amistad.

“As I was doing research for the film, I became profoundly aware of the disconnect between Afro-descendants from their roots and culture,” he said. “Because when you don’t know where you came from, you don’t know who you are.”

Through his foundation’s “Africa Reconnect” initiative, Hounsou hopes to heal some of the intergenerational wounds left behind by slavery and diaspora — a mission grounded in identity, education, and cultural restoration.

“I had this compelling need to do something for my people, for my continent,” he shared.

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There’s a disturbing pattern in Hollywood that fans and industry insiders alike need to confront: being in a blockbuster or a beloved cult classic does not mean an actor is set for life. In fact, many don’t even see residuals from streaming platforms — especially if they’re not the top-billed lead.

Djimon Hounsou is one of those actors who always shows up and delivers. Whether he's breaking hearts in In America, shaking stadiums in Gladiator, or bringing gravitas to superhero flicks, his performances stick with you. And yet, he’s rarely compensated in a way that reflects his legacy.

This isn't a diversity issue — it's a fairness issue across the board with anybody, any race in Hollywood. It’s about ensuring artists are paid for the value they bring, not the categories they fall into. It’s about honoring careers, not just headlines. And if a two-time Oscar nominee with global hits under his belt is still "struggling to make a living," we have to ask: who’s really profiting from Hollywood?

Djimon Hounsou deserves better. And so do countless others. Behind the glamour of Hollywood lies an industry that often fails to support the very talent that powers it. And that’s a story we all need to keep telling — until it changes.