The two-time Oscar nominee, Djimon Hounsou, has shed light on the financial intricacies of his Hollywood journey. Despite featuring in highly acclaimed films such as Ridley Scott's "Gladiator," Steven Spielberg's "Amistad," and Edward Zwick's "Blood Diamond" – with the latter two earning him Academy Award nominations – Hounsou reveals that he has not been fairly remunerated for his contributions.
"I'm still grappling to make ends meet," the actor confessed during an interview for CNN's "African Voices Changemakers." "I've been in this industry for over two decades, garnering two Oscar nominations and appearing in numerous blockbuster films, yet I'm still financially struggling. I'm undeniably underpaid."
In recent years, Hounsou has embraced franchise and big-budget opportunities, appearing in films like "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Furious 7," Disney's live-action "The Legend of Tarzan," "Captain Marvel," "Shazam," "A Quiet Place Part II," and Zack Snyder's "Rebel Moon."
Hounsou first gained prominence with a leading role in Spielberg's 1997 historical drama, "Amistad." Despite his critically acclaimed performance, he was overlooked for an Oscar nomination, while his co-star Anthony Hopkins was not. "I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they snubbed me for the Oscars, suggesting that I had just arrived from the boat and the streets," Hounsou recounted in the CNN interview. "Even though I successfully delivered in that film, they didn't perceive me as an actor worthy of respect. The conceptual notion of diversity still has a lengthy journey ahead."
When the interviewer expressed surprise at Hounsou's continued underpayment despite his accolades and industry standing, the actor responded, "That's an indication for you that systemic racism is not something to be taken lightly. It's deeply ingrained in everything we do, across all sectors."
This is not the first time Hounsou has tackled the issue of pay equity for individuals of color in Hollywood. While promoting his role in the blockbuster DC film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," he told The Guardian that he feels "betrayed" by the inequalities he has experienced throughout his career.
"I've risen in the industry alongside people who are comfortably well-off with far fewer accolades than I have," Hounsou told the outlet. "So, I feel profoundly betrayed, both financially and in terms of workload. I still have to justify why I deserve to be paid well. They always lowball me, saying, 'We only have this much for the role, but we adore you and truly believe you can bring so much to it.'"
He further elaborated, mentioning that his fellow actress Viola Davis had eloquently articulated this issue, clarifying, "She's garnered an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, yet she still faces financial struggles in her profession. Film after film, it remains an ongoing battle. To this day, I haven't encountered a film that has compensated me adequately." Davis herself famously addressed this disparity during a panel discussion at the 2018 Women of the World event, where she emphasized, "My career is arguably on par with Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Sigourney Weaver… People often say, 'You're the Black Meryl Streep. There's no one quite like you.' Well, if that's the case, then pay me what I'm truly worth. Give me what I deserve."
Hounsou, who spent his formative years in Benin and France before relocating to the United States at 23 to pursue his acting dreams, revealed that his work on 'Amistad' sparked the creation of his Djimon Hounsou Foundation. According to its website, the foundation aims to "forge a deep and emotional bond between the countries of the African diaspora and the motherland, seeking to mend the scars left by slavery." He shared, "My acting journey truly opened my eyes. While researching for 'Amistad,' I became deeply conscious of the disconnection between African descendants and their ancestral roots and culture. For when one is unaware of their origins, they remain unsure of their identity." He continued, "I felt a profound urge to contribute something for my people, for my continent, and this compelling desire ultimately led me to establish my foundation many years later."
