'Definitely Underpaid': Why Gladiator star Djimon Hounsou, a two-time Oscar nominee, is struggling to make a living

Despite a career spanning over two decades and two Oscar nominations, actor Djimon Hounsou has revealed that he is still "struggling to make a living." The 60-year-old, known for his roles in Gladiator and Blood Diamond, shared his frustrations during an interview on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers.

“I’ve been in the filmmaking business for more than 20 years, with two Oscar nominations and appearances in many blockbuster films, yet I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid,” Hounsou admitted.

Hounsou also reflected on being overlooked for an Oscar nomination for his role in the 1997 film Amistad, directed by Steven Spielberg. He believes this snub stemmed from a lack of respect for him as an actor. “I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought I had just come off the boat and the streets,” he said. “Even though I delivered, they didn’t see me as someone deserving of recognition.”


The actor has been vocal about pay disparities in Hollywood. In a previous interview with The Guardian, he revealed that studio executives often undervalue his contributions. “I still have to justify why I need to get paid fairly. They always come to me with a lowball offer, saying, ‘We love you, but we only have this much.’”

Hounsou compared his experience to that of Viola Davis, saying, “Viola said it perfectly. She’s won an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, and even she struggles to get paid what she deserves.”

Beyond addressing financial struggles, Hounsou spoke about the broader challenges of diversity in Hollywood. “This idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change overnight,” he said.

The challenges he faced in Hollywood inspired Hounsou to create the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. The organization aims to connect the African diaspora with the African continent while addressing the historical impacts of slavery.