Djimon Hounsou of ‘Blood Diamond’ and ‘In America’ had his own challenges he faced in Hollywood, including financial disparities. Despite a career spanning over three decades, Hounsou’s net worth stands at a surprising figure. Let’s see his current wealth and financial struggles.
How Hounsou Rose To Fame
Born in the Republic of Dahomey (now Benin) on April 24, 1964, Hounsou moved to Lyon, France at twelve. There, he had numerous struggles, including a period of homelessness. His modeling endeavors began after a chance meeting with fashion designer Thierry Mugler, leading to a successful career in Paris and, later, the United States.
Hounsou’s shift to acting was after his 1990 debut in ‘Without You I’m Nothing,’ but it was his role in Steven Spielberg’s ‘Amistad’ (1997) that brought him into the spotlight. His performances in ‘Gladiator,’ ‘In America,’ and ‘Blood Diamond’ earned critical acclaim, with the latter two securing him Academy Award nominations.
On the other hand, Hounsou expanded his portfolio with popular franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the D.C. Extended Universe.
In his personal life, Hounsou had a relationship with model Kimora Lee Simmons, and they have a son named Kenzo Lee Hounsou. The couple, who never legally married in the U.S., separated in 2012.
Hounsou’s Financial Issues
Despite these roles, Hounsou has openly discussed his financial struggles in Hollywood. In a March 2023 interview with the Guardian, he expressed frustration at not being fairly compensated, saying:
“I’m still struggling to try to make a dollar! I’ve come up in the business with some people who are absolutely well off and have very little of my accolades. So I feel cheated, tremendously cheated, in terms of finances and in terms of the workload as well. I’ve gone to studios for meetings, and they’re like, ‘Wow, we felt like you just got off the boat and then went back [after Amistad’]. We didn’t know you were here as a true actor.”
He continued, resembling his situation to Viola Davis’:
“I still have to prove why I need to get paid. They always come at me with a complete lowball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much, and we really think you can bring so much.’ Viola Davis said it beautifully: she’s won an Oscar, she’s won an Emmy, she’s won a Tony, and she still can’t get paid. Film after film, it’s a struggle. I have yet to meet the film that paid me fairly.”
Interestingly, Hounsou’s career is not limited to acting. He has appeared in music videos for artists like Paula Abdul and Madonna, voiced characters in animated series and films, and even modeled for Calvin Klein.
Djimon Hounsou’s 2023 Net Worth
Hounsou’s varied work, however, has not translated into the financial stability one might expect from such a career. As of now, the actor has a net worth of $4 million, which appears modest when compared to the earnings typical of Hollywood elites.
On the real estate front, Hounsou purchased a $2.1 million home in January 2020 in L.A.’s Westchester neighborhood, which he later offered for rent in October 2023 for $11,750 per month.
