Twice Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou is opening up concerning the realities of being a working actor and why all that glitters is not gold.
Djimon is broadly identified for starring in field workplace hits equivalent to Gladiator, Blood diamond, Amistadin addition to a number of Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC movies. Most not too long ago, he appeared alongside Lupita Nyong’o within the apocalyptic horror drama A quiet place: first day.
But regardless of a protracted record of movies beneath his belt since he started his Hollywood profession greater than 30 years in the past and quite a few award nominations, the Benin native revealed he’s “struggling financially” on a current episode of CNN. African voice changers.
“I’m nonetheless struggling to make a residing,” Djimon mentioned. “I’ve been within the film enterprise for over twenty years with two Oscar nominations and lots of profitable movies, but I nonetheless battle financially. I’m grossly underpaid.”
“I used to be nominated for the Golden Globe, however they handed me over for the Oscars as a result of they thought I used to be contemporary off the boat and off the road,” he mentioned. “Even although I did it efficiently, they only did not assume I used to be an actor they need to pay respect to.”
He went on to share his perspective on range in Hollywood and the progress he believes nonetheless must be made within the leisure business.
“This conceptual thought of range nonetheless has a protracted technique to go. Systemic racism is not going to vary anytime quickly.”
But this is not the primary time Djimon has spoken out about unfair wages. In a 2023 interview with the Caretakerhe revealed that he “hasn’t met the film that paid me pretty but.”
“I nonetheless must show why I have to receives a commission,” he continued. “They at all times come at me with a totally low ball: ‘We solely have this for the function, however we love you a lot and we actually assume you may carry a lot.’ “
You can watch Djimon’s full interview on CNN Here.
