Djimon Hounsou, the celebrated Beninese American actor, has candidly addressed the racial challenges he has faced throughout his Hollywood career. In an unreleased episode of CNN’s African Voices, the Oscar-nominated actor shared his frustrations with systemic racism in the entertainment industry, revealing how his journey to success has been hindered despite his talent and accolades.
The 60-year-old actor, who received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations for his roles in Blood Diamond and In America, opened up about the financial difficulties he continues to face, even after more than two decades in the industry.
“I am still struggling to make a living,” Hounsou confessed. “I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, with two Oscar nominations and numerous blockbuster films, yet I’m still fighting to get by financially.”
Despite his long career and recognition for his performances, Hounsou believes he has been consistently undervalued. He highlighted the glaring disparity between his achievements and the respect he has received. “I am definitely underpaid. I was nominated for the Golden Globes, but they overlooked me for the Oscars. They treated me as if I had just come off the boat, off the streets,” he said.
Hounsou’s frustrations extend beyond financial struggles, as he points to the deep-rooted racial biases that still persist in Hollywood. “Even though I successfully navigated the industry, they didn’t think I was an actor deserving of respect,” he explained. “This so-called idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism doesn’t change overnight.”
The actor, who made his Hollywood debut in the 1990 film Without You I’m Nothing, rose to international fame with his powerful performance in Blood Diamond alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
