Two-Time Oscar Nominee Djimon Hounsou Says He’s ‘Still Struggling to Make a Living’ Despite Decades of Working in Hollywood

Djimon Hounsou opens up about the reality of working in Hollywood as a person of color.

The 60-year-old actor who was born in the West African nation of Benin and has starred in films such as Blood diamond and Gladiator, discussed his experience while appearing on a recent episode of CNN African Voices Changemakers. During the conversation, Hounsou revealed that he is still underpaid – despite two decades in the industry.

I’m still struggling to make a living, he said. “I’ve been in the movie business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many hit movies, and yet I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”

Hounsou also said he believes he was overlooked by the Oscars for his breakthrough role as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama. Amistad — despite a Golden Globe nomination for the same performance.

Djimon Hounsou attends the Netflix release of ‘Rebel Moon Part Two: Songs of the Rebellion’ in New York City on April 3, 2024.

Noam Galai/Getty

The Cosby Show Actor Geoffrey Owens still ‘struggles every day’ to make ends meet after leaving Trader Joe’s

“I was nominated for a Golden Globe, but they ignored me for an Oscar because they thought I just got off the boat and off the street,” he claimed. “Even though I did it successfully, they just didn’t feel like an actor to respect.”

Hounsou also said he believes there is still a lot of progress to be made when it comes to diversity in the entertainment industry.

“This conceptual idea of ​​diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism is not going to change that way anytime soon,” he said.

Leonardo DiCaprio (left) and Djimon Hounsou in ‘Blood Diamond’ in 2006.

Warner Bros

This is not the first time the actor has spoken openly about his struggle to receive fair compensation in Hollywood. In an interview with March 2023 guard, Hounsou said he “has yet to meet a film that has paid me fairly.”

“I still have to prove why I should be paid,” he continued. “They always attack me completely low: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much.’ ”

“Viola Davis said it beautifully. She won an Oscar, she won an Emmy, she won a Tony and she still can’t get paid,” Hounsou told the newspaper, referring to Davis’ previous vocal comments about wage discrimination in the industry.

Hounsou, who immigrated to the US when he was 23, explained that his time in Hollywood – particularly his work with Spielberg (78) Amistad — eventually inspired him to found the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. The organization’s mission is to “foster a visceral connection between the countries of the African diaspora and the homeland and to heal the wounds left behind by slavery,” according to its website.

Djimon Hounsou (centre) in ‘Amistad’. Hulton Archive / Getty Images Viola Davis talks about demands for her worth, expects the same ‘Filet Mignon’ as white actors

“My acting job has really opened my eyes,” Hounsou said on African Voices Changemakers episode.

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

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I had a strong need to do something for my people on my continent and that actually made me start my [foundation] so many years later,” Hounsou said.

“One of the attributes of the foundation is to reconnect Africa,” he added. “It’s about strengthening Africa’s intergenerational identity and self-awareness by bringing people—reconnecting people—of the African diaspora to the homeland. Their history.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education