Djimon Hounsou Discusses Career Struggles

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Well, it looks like Hollywood is once again serving up its favorite dish: champagne problems with a side of tone-deafness.

Oscar-nominated actor Djimon Hounsou, who has starred in more blockbuster hits than most actors could dream of, is making headlines for saying he’s “struggling to make ends meet.” Yes, you read that correctly. The man who’s been in Gladiator, Blood Diamond, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Shazam!—to name just a few—is apparently finding it hard to pay the bills. And here you were thinking inflation and gas prices were your biggest problems.

Hounsou’s comments, made during an interview on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, are a classic case of Hollywood grievance airing. “I’m still struggling to make a living,” he claimed, adding that despite over two decades in the business and multiple Oscar nominations, he’s “underpaid.” Now, let’s be clear—no one’s saying Hollywood’s pay structure isn’t wildly uneven. But when you’ve appeared in dozens of major films, voiced beloved animated characters, and starred in some of the biggest superhero franchises of the last decade, the claim that you’re struggling financially might be a tough sell to the average American scraping by in Biden’s economy.

Hounsou also took the opportunity to revisit his perceived snub for Amistad, Steven Spielberg’s critically acclaimed 1997 film that catapulted him to stardom. According to Hounsou, the Academy ignored him because they thought he had “just come off the boat and the streets.” While it’s fair to say that Hollywood has a long history of systemic issues (no one’s arguing otherwise), it’s worth noting that Hounsou’s career trajectory has been nothing short of remarkable.

The man went from modeling in Paris to leading a Spielberg film and snagging Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations along the way. For someone who believes he hasn’t gotten the “respect” he deserves, Hounsou’s resume sure looks a lot more impressive than most.

And let’s talk about his complaint that he’s been lowballed on roles. Hollywood is notorious for its shady pay negotiations, but this is the same industry where a mid-tier TV star can rake in six figures per episode. Are we really supposed to believe that Hounsou—who has consistently worked on massive productions—is barely scraping by?

He even referenced Viola Davis, who famously spoke out about pay inequality in Hollywood, as an example. But let’s be honest: Viola Davis has a mantle full of awards and a name that guarantees box-office returns. If she can’t get paid what she’s worth, maybe it’s more of a reflection of the industry’s priorities than a personal attack.

But here’s where the story gets a little ridiculous. Hounsou isn’t just complaining about paychecks—he’s also suggesting that the lack of financial recognition stems from systemic racism. And while no one denies that Hollywood still has work to do when it comes to diversity, it’s hard to square his claims with the reality of his success. He’s a two-time Oscar nominee who’s starred in countless blockbuster hits and has been a household name for decades. How many actors—of any background—can say the same?

Meanwhile, Americans are out here trying to figure out how to keep the lights on while grocery prices continue to skyrocket. It’s hard to feel sympathy for a millionaire actor who, by his own admission, is still landing roles in major productions. If he really wants to talk about “struggling,” maybe he should spend a day in the shoes of a family trying to afford rent, childcare, and gas in a state like California, where taxes alone can wipe out a paycheck.

Hounsou’s comments are another example of Hollywood’s inability to read the room. Sure, the industry has its flaws, but complaining about paychecks while starring in billion-dollar franchises is hardly going to win over the hearts and minds of working-class Americans. If Hounsou truly feels undervalued, perhaps he should direct his grievances toward the studio executives cutting the checks—because the rest of us are just trying to get by without an Oscar nomination in sight.