Hounsou was twice nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards, the first time for the 2002 drama In America, and the second for his role opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond.
“I’ve been in this business making films now for over two decades with two Oscar nominations, been in many blockbuster films, and yet I’m still struggling financially. I’m definitely underpaid,” he told CNN.
“I’m yet to meet the film that paid me fairly. 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.”
Djimon Hounsou and Leonardo Dicaprio in a scene from Blood Diamond. Photo / Warner Bros. Pictures
Hounsou went on to claim he was overlooked by the Oscars when he starred in acclaimed drama Amistad due to racism within the academy at the time.
“I was nominated for the Golden Globe, but they ignored me for the Oscars, talking about the fact that they thought that I had just come off the boat and off the streets,” he said.
“Even though I successfully did that [film], 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 don’t change like that anytime soon.”
It had been scheduled for Friday, January 17, but the stars and movies up for Academy Awards this year will now be revealed on January 23 (January 24 NZT) after being delayed once again.
