Djimon Hounsou, 60, has opened up about his experiences working in Hollywood as a person of color, revealing he is still underpaid despite two decades in the industry. In a recent CNN appearance, Hounsou discussed his struggles to make a living and be fairly compensated for his work.
Hounsou, born in Benin, West Africa, expressed frustration that he received only one Oscar nomination out of over 20 films, including Blood Diamond and Gladiator. He believes he was overlooked for the Academy Awards due to racism, despite receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his breakout role in Amistad (1997).
“I’m still struggling financially,” Hounsou said. “I’ve been in the business long enough with many blockbuster films, but I’m underpaid.”
Hounsou attributes his pay disparity to systemic racism and believes there is still much progress needed in the entertainment industry for diversity. He points to Viola Davis’ comments on wage discrimination as evidence of the issue.
In 2023, Hounsou discussed similar struggles in an interview with The Guardian. He stated that he has “yet to meet a film” that paid him fairly and that people often low-ball his salaries due to racism.
Hounsou’s experiences inspired him to establish the Djimon Hounsou Foundation, which aims to reconnect the African diaspora to their roots and culture. The foundation’s mission is to promote self-awareness and strengthen Africa’s intergenerational identity.
Source: https://people.com/djimon-hounsou-says-hes-still-struggling-to-make-a-living-in-hollywood-8773111