Oscar-Nominated Actor Struggles Financially

Acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou, a veteran of Marvel, DC, Netflix, and countless other productions, recently revealed his ongoing financial struggles in Hollywood. Despite two Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor (In America and Blood Diamond) and a prolific career in blockbuster films, Hounsou told CNN he remains "underpaid" and "struggling to make a living."

"I’m still struggling to make a living. 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," Hounsou stated.

This echoes sentiments expressed in a 2023 interview with The Guardian, where he described 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, also cited racism and xenophobia as potential obstacles to his career. He recounted experiences where studio executives expressed surprise at his continued presence in Hollywood, suggesting a limited perception of his capabilities. "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 commented.

His recent credits 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 high-profile projects.