Oscar-Nominated Actor Says He's 'Still Struggling To Make A Living' Despite Blockbuster Success
The two-time Oscar nominee, who has worked in the industry for decades, cited "systematic racism" for his financial instability.
Djimon Hounsou has a noteworthy resume in Hollywood, even accumulating Oscar-nominated roles throughout his decades-long career, but he says he still struggles to âmake a livingâ despite garnering critical acclaim.
âIâm still struggling to make a living,â he said in a new interview with CNN. âIâve been in this business making films now for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many big blockbuster films, and yet, Iâm still struggling financially. Iâm definitely underpaid.â
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Hounsou, 60, is known for starring in multiple popular blockbuster films, including Ridley Scottâs âGladiator,â Steven Spielbergâs âAmistad,â âBlood Diamondâ opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Marvelâs âGuardians of the Galaxyâ and DCâs âShazam!â
The Beninese-born actor alleged he was snubbed for an Oscar after facing xenophobia and racism in the industry.
âI was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars, talking about the fact that they thought that I had just came off the boat and off the streets,â he claimed.
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âEven though I successfully did [Spielbergâs âAmistadâ film], they just didnât feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go,â noting that âsystemic racismâ wonât change âanytime soon.â
After CNN correspondent Larry Madowo called Hounsouâs claims âmind-bogglingâ to hear because Hounsou was âone of the first big Black actors I saw in big-budget films,â the actor responded, âWell, thatâs a sign for you that systemic racism is not something you can deal with lightly.â
Hounsou added, âYou have to cope with it and survive the best way you can.â
Hounsou has previously opened up about feeling âcheatedâ in Hollywood due to unfair pay disparities.
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âIâm still struggling to try to make a dollar! Iâve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well,â the star told The Guardian in March 2023.
He told the outlet that in the past, heâs visited studios for meetings only to be told, âWow, we felt like you just got off the boat and then went back [after Amistad]. We didnât know you were here as a true actor.â
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Hounsou added, âWhen you hear things like that, you can see that some peopleâs vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting. But it is what it is. Itâs up to me to redeem that.â
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