• Djimon Hounsou, 60, admits to financial struggles despite a celebrated acting career.
• The actor emphasizes systemic racism as a significant barrier in Hollywood.
• Hounsou has received two Oscar nominations yet feels underpaid and overlooked.
• He gained fame through roles in films like "Gladiator," "Blood Diamond," and "Shazam!"
• Hounsou's experiences highlight enduring issues of diversity and equity in the industry.

Djimon Hounsou, a celebrated actor known for his roles in numerous blockbuster films, has publicly expressed his ongoing struggle to achieve financial stability in the Hollywood film industry, despite his extensive career and two Oscar nominations. In a candid interview with HuffPost, the 60-year-old star remarked, “I’m still struggling to make a living,” highlighting the disparities between his acclaim and his financial reality.

Hounsou, who has starred in esteemed projects, including Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" and Steven Spielberg's "Amistad," believes that systemic racism within the industry is a significant barrier preventing actors like him from receiving the respect and earnings they deserve. He shared, “Even though I successfully did [‘Amistad’], they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect. This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go,” ([USA Today](https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/01/12/djimon-hounsou-struggling-to-make-living/77652556007/)).

Despite his prominent roles in major franchises, including his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (notably in "Guardians of the Galaxy"), Hounsou reiterated feelings of being undervalued and underpaid. He said, “I’ve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel tremendously cheated in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well,” ([CNN](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/djimon-hounsou-struggle-financial-hollywood-oscars_n_6783fb3de4b058cbe1410f30)).

Additionally, Hounsou narrated instances of facing bias that hindered his career progression, stating that some industry insiders viewed his achievements with skepticism. “When you hear things like that, you can see that some people’s vision of you, or what you represent, is very limiting,” he remarked. This sincere acknowledgment of his adversities sheds light on the broader issues of representation and equity within Hollywood.

Hounsou remains a vital voice in advocating for the need for change and equality in the film industry as he continues his journey in Hollywood, determined to redefine the narrative surrounding his place in the cinematic world.