Despite Decades in Hollywood, current financial stress is being reported by the Beninese/American actor Djimon Hounsou who has been in the movie industry in Hollywood for over two decades.
Recently, in the course of an unguarded interview on CNN African Voices Changemakers, this renowned practitioner offered some hearty lessons about the economic struggle of performers of colour in the showbiz field.
‘I am still not adequately supported for living’,” confessed Hounsou in evidence of the great chasm between professional achievements and resulting earnings.
“I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid.”
Partnering with an actor who has achieved the level of critical acclaim for his roles in films such as “Gladiator,” “Blood Diamond,” and “Amistad,” this actor has openly expressed his annoyance towards the persistent racial discrimination which is woven into the payroll of Hollywood. It also unravelled aspects of the conceptual system underlying pay equity and exclusivity in the media sector.
The Golden Globe nominated me, but they never cared to spell out the Oscars to me since they thought I was just a young dockhand, on cobblestones. Although I “did that”, I can’t help but feel like one of those actors for whom none of these considerations should apply. “
The quote of the two-time Oscar or more-seeking actor raises awareness of the racial actors of colour confronting the persistent problem of race in Hollywood regarding the hegemonic practice of giving them disproportionate rewards for the fruits of [their] labour in film and television productions.
By himself, though, because his filmography also includes some of the most beloved movies of audiences all over the globe and the most awarded films of the year, Hounsou still encountered these obstacles, primarily because of his skin colour and because of the systemized oppression fatally inscribed into show business.
However, that vision of variety has not yet been realised. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon.” His comments are a sharp call for progress in equality and fair treatment in an area that prides itself in liberally and progressive support while maintaining organized crime allegiances represented by traditional business.
Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou is still struggling financially even after 20+ years in Hollywood.
How is that possible yet he’s one of the most recognizable African actors? pic.twitter.com/iIW1gsxsr6
— Larry Madowo (@LarryMadowo) January 10, 2025
