Beninese-American actor Djimon Hounsou has opened up on his financial struggles, despite having two Oscar nominations and a career spanning two decades in Hollywood.

Hounsou disclosed this on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, and went ahead to reveal that he is underpaid and struggling to make a living. 

“I’m still struggling to make a living. I’ve been in the filmmaking business for over two decades, with two Oscar nominations and many blockbuster films, and yet, I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid,” he said.

He also spoke about facing racism in Hollywood, and recalled being excluded from an Oscar nomination despite receiving a Golden Globe nod for the same role

“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars because they thought that 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.

“This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism won’t change like that anytime soon.” He said

Hounsou starred in “Blood Diamond” and “In America” for which he got his two Oscar nominations. He was also in Gladiator, Amistad, Constantine, Guardians of the Galaxy, Aquaman, and Furious 7.

[Vanguard]