Djimon Hounsou Highlights Hollywood's Systemic Racism and Financial Struggles After Two Decades in Film

Djimon Hounsou, a prominent actor from Benin, has cemented his place as one of the most well-known African talents in the film industry. His impressive filmography includes roles in a variety of major franchises such as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel, and DC’s Shazam and Aquaman. His credits extend to films like A Quiet Place: Day One, The King's Man, Gran Turismo, Rebel Moon, Charlie's Angels, Fast & Furious 7, The Legend of Tarzan, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, and How to Train Your Dragon 2, among many others. With this extensive career, which has earned him nominations for prestigious awards like the Oscars for his Hounsou's roles in both Blood Diamond and In America showcase his exceptional talent continues to highlight the challenges he faces within Hollywood, particularly regarding systemic racism.

Hounsou recently discussed his ongoing struggles within the film industry during a conversation with CNN. He revealed that despite his lengthy career, he finds it difficult to sustain himself financially, citing systemic issues as a significant barrier. He mentioned the challenges he faced in the earlier years of his career while trying to adapt to the industry and establish his presence. He noted:

“After three decades, the initial ten years were spent adjusting to the industry and carving out my place within it. However, after more than twenty years of creating films, with two Oscar nominations and appearances in numerous blockbuster titles, I still find it challenging to achieve financial stability. I'm definitely underpaid.”

Hounsou pointed out that his situation reflects the larger problem of systemic racism, stating, “That's a signal to you that addressing systemic racism is not something to be taken casually. It is intricately woven into numerous aspects of our actions and systems. You don't just conquer it; rather, you must learn to navigate it and endure as best as you can you can.”

This isn’t the first time Hounsou has addressed these issues. Back in 2023, while speaking with a media outlet, he expressed feelings of being shortchanged regarding both financial compensation and the workload he faces in the industry.