Marvel and DC Actor Djimon Hounsou Says He Is 'Struggling To Make A Living' in Hollywood Despite 2 Oscar Nods

Acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou, known for his roles in Marvel, DC, Netflix, and numerous other major films, 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 spanning decades in blockbuster movies, Hounsou told CNN he is "definitely underpaid" and "still struggling to make a living." He elaborated on his financial hardship, 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 comments reiterate concerns Hounsou voiced in 2023 to 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 peers with fewer accolades. He further attributed some of his career challenges to racism and xenophobia, recounting instances where his presence in Hollywood was perceived as fleeting rather than indicative of a sustained career. He shared an anecdote of studio meetings where he felt his contributions were undervalued, stating, "I’ve gone to studios for meetings and they’re like, ‘Wow, we felt like you just got off the boat and then went back [after Amistad]. We didn’t know you were here as a true actor.’" He concluded, "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."

Hounsou's 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 many others.