Djimon Hounsou has acknowledged that despite decades of working in Hollywood, he is still trying to make a livelihood.

From the outside, many of us envision a luxury lifestyle for individuals working in Hollywood, complete with flashy automobiles and upscale dinners.

While this may be true for some famous actors, Hounsou has highlighted the realities of working in Hollywood as a person of color.

Over the years, the actor has acted in films such as Blood Diamond and Gladiator, which would seem to have earned him a lot of money.

However, while addressing his profession on a recent edition of CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, the 60-year-old said that he is underpaid.

He explained, “I’m still battling to make a livelihood. I’ve been in the film business for nearly two decades, with two Oscar nominations and several hit pictures, yet I’m still struggling financially.” I am definitely underpaid.”

Furthermore, the actor feels that his portrayal as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 film Amistad has not received enough recognition, particularly from the Academy Awards.

Hounsou later said, “They ignored me for the Oscars because they thought I had just come off the boat and the streets.”

“Even though I successfully did that, they just didn’t feel like I was an actor to whom they should pay any respect.”

Hounsou is not hesitant to speak out against Hollywood wages, telling the Guardian in March 2023 that he had ‘yet to encounter the picture that paid me decently’.

“I still have to justify why I deserve compensation,” he responded. They constantly come at me with a full lowball: “We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and believe you can bring so much.”

“Viola Davis expressed it nicely. Despite winning an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony, she still doesn’t receive compensation.

Speaking on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, Hounsou stated, “As I was researching for the film, I became acutely aware of the disconnect between Afro-descendants and their roots and culture.”

“Understanding your origins leaves you unaware of your identity.”