Guardians of The Galaxy and Gladiator star Djimon Hounsou has revealed that despite decades of success in the film industry, he still struggles financially due to systemic racism.
READ MORE: ‘A Quiet Place: Day One’ review: back-to-basics prequel feels smaller but still scream-worthy
Making his breakthrough in Steven Spielberg’s 1998 historical drama Amistad, the Beninese actor has worked consistently since then, appearing in Rebel Moon, Shazam, and A Quiet Place: Day One among others. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards, for Amistad and 2006 thriller Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Appearing on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers show, he spoke about how industry has yet to pay sufficiently for his work. “I’m still struggling to make a living,” he said. “I’ve been in the film-making business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid”.
Hounsou argued that systemic racism is the root of the issue, claiming attitudes toward him in the industry stretch back to his awards campaign with Amistad. “I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that I had just come off the boat and the streets” he recalled. “Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect”.
Djimon Hounsou (centre) with the cast and crew of ‘Gladiator’ (CREDIT: LUCY NICHOLSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Host Larry Madowo reacted in disbelief, saying: “Growing up, you’re one of the first big black actors I saw in big budget films, so it’s mind boggling to me”. The actor replied: “That’s a sign for you that systemic racism is not something that you can deal with lightly,” before adding: “This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon”.
This is not the first time the star has spoken on this subject. In 2023, he told The Guardian “I still have to prove why I need to get paid”, describing studios as making “low ball” offers for his work. “Viola Davis said it beautifully. She’s won an Oscar, she’s won an Emmy, she’s won a Tony and she still can’t get paid”.
Hounsou continues to work prolifically, with thrillers Beneath The Storm and The Zealot scheduled for release this year. Recently, the actor’s Rebel Moon co-star Sofia Boutella hit out at critics who “demolished” the film.
The post ‘Blood Diamond’ and ‘Gladiator’ star Djimon Hounsou “struggling to make a living” despite glittering career appeared first on NME.
