Djimon Hounsou is peeling back the curtain on the complexities of navigating Hollywood as a person of color. The 60-year-old actor, who hails from Benin in West Africa and has made his mark in films like Blood Diamond and Gladiator, recently shared his journey on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers. Despite more than two decades in the industry and a couple of Oscar nods under his belt, Hounsou candidly spoke about the ongoing financial struggles he faces.
“I’m still fighting to make a living,” Hounsou admitted. “After over two decades in the industry, with major roles in blockbuster hits and two Oscar nominations, I’m still underpaid. It’s a constant battle.”
Reflecting on his breakout role as Cinqué in Spielberg’s Amistad, Hounsou feels he was overlooked by the Academy Awards, even though he secured a Golden Globe nomination for the same role.
“I was recognized by the Golden Globes, but the Oscars ignored me. They saw me as someone who had just arrived from the streets, not worthy of their recognition,” he said. “Despite delivering a powerful performance, I wasn’t deemed an actor worthy of respect.”
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Hounsou emphasized that the industry still has a long way to go regarding diversity. “This concept of diversity is still in its infancy. Systemic racism isn’t going to disappear overnight,” he remarked.
This isn’t the first time Hounsou has highlighted his struggle for fair pay in Hollywood. In a 2023 interview with The Guardian, he revealed, “I have yet to encounter a film that paid me fairly. I constantly have to justify why I deserve to be paid appropriately. They always lowball me, saying, ‘We have limited funds, but we love you and believe you’ll bring so much to the role.’”
He echoed the sentiments of fellow actor Viola Davis, who has also spoken out about wage inequality. “Viola Davis said it well. Despite winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, she still battles for fair pay,” Hounsou noted.
Hounsou’s time in Hollywood, particularly his experience working with Spielberg on Amistad, inspired him to launch the Djimon Hounsou Foundation. This organization aims to bridge the gap between the African diaspora and their ancestral homeland, addressing the lingering scars of slavery.
“My work in acting opened my eyes,” he shared on African Voices Changemakers. “Researching for Amistad made me deeply aware of the disconnect Afro-descendants feel from their roots and culture. Without knowing where you come from, you can’t truly understand who you are.”
Driven by a sense of duty to his heritage, Hounsou founded his organization to foster connections. “One of the key missions of the foundation is ‘Africa reconnect.’ It’s about reinforcing the identity and self-awareness of African descendants by reconnecting them with their history and homeland,” he explained.
