Djimon Hounsou Net Worth

Djimon Hounsou is an acclaimed Beninese-American actor who has starred in several blockbuster hits over his decades-long career.

He first gained recognition for his role in the 1997 drama Amistad. He established himself as a formidable talent with memorable performances in films like Gladiator, In America, Blood Diamond, and Furious 7. 

With such an extensive and impressive filmography under his belt, he has amassed quite a net worth over the years, and his recent role in Zack Synder’s Rebel Moon has certainly aided the wealth.

In this article, we take a closer look at Hounsou’s career accomplishments and discuss how he has built his current financial status. 

From his early modeling work to his acclaimed acting roles, we detail the trajectory of his career and net worth over the past few decades.

Djimon Hounsou’s net worth, salary, and early recognition

Hounsou has accumulated an estimated net worth between $4 million to $12 million over his decades-long acting career. 

He likely commanded a sizable salary for his breakout role in the 2000 film Gladiator, which was a massive critical and commercial success, grossing over $500 million worldwide. According to reports, he made between $500,000 to $1 million for his role in the film. 

Gladiator proved to be a pivotal moment in Hounsou’s career. His performance as the warrior Juba earned widespread critical acclaim and even an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. 

This recognition helped solidify his talent and star power, enabling him to negotiate higher salaries in subsequent roles. The global success of Gladiator also introduced Hounsou to a wider international audience.

Djimon Hounsou in ‘Gladiator’ (Source: The Film Magazine)

Even earlier in his career, he gained some recognition in the music video world in the early 1990s. He appeared in popular videos for artists like Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and En Vogue.

This helped Hounsou get minor acting roles on TV shows like Beverly Hills 90210 and ER and in small movie parts like Stargate. But his breakthrough would come in 1997 with his acclaimed performance as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg’s film Amistad. 

Though not a box office hit, the film and Hounsou’s acting generated critical praise and Golden Globe attention – setting the stage for bigger things to come with Gladiator a few years later.

Djimon Hounsou’s career nowadays

In the late 2000s, Hounsou was considered to voice Black Panther for a cartoon series and potentially portray the character in a third Fantastic Four film. Though these did not come to fruition, he has gone on to land numerous major roles in the 2010s and 2020s.

In 2013, he appeared in the romantic comedy Baggage Claim. He voiced a character in the animated hit How to Train Your Dragon 2. 2014 proved to be a pivotal year, with him playing the villainous Korath the Pursuer in the Marvel blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy as well as roles in Seventh Son and Furious 7.

His connections to major franchises continued into 2016 when he joined the cast of Wayward Pines and portrayed Chief Mbonga in The Legend of Tarzan.

In 2018, he entered the DC Extended Universe, voicing Fisherman King Ricou in Aquaman and later replacing Ron Cephas Jones as the Wizard Shazam in 2019’s Shazam! 

He reprised the Shazam role in 2022’s Black Adam alongside Dwayne Johnson. He also returned as the Wizard once again in the 2023 sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Maintaining his ties to Marvel as well, Hounsou returned as Korath in 2019’s Captain Marvel. 

Beyond major franchise films, Hounsou has also pursued other creative passions – making his directorial debut in 2018 with the documentary In Search of Voodoo: Roots to Heaven, which examines the history and nature of West African Vodun practices. 

As of 2022, he joined the cast of the upcoming Gran Turismo film adaptation. After decades in the industry, his career shows no signs of slowing down.

Djimon Hounsou real estate

Hounsou owns multiple impressive properties domestically and abroad. He has a home in Los Angeles, California, where he is based for work. He also owns a second one in his native country of Benin in West Africa, allowing him to connect back to his roots. 

Additionally, the actor keeps a lavish vacation property in the Maldives, known for its beautiful beaches and overwater bungalows.

One of Hounsou’s Los Angeles homes is located in the Westchester neighborhood, which he purchased in 2020 for $2.1 million. This contemporary 4-bed, 4-bath house is situated just miles from the beach and Silicon Beach tech hub areas. 

In 2022, while not residing there himself, he put this Westchester property up for rent at a rate of $11,750 per month. The home provides easy access to amenities in the Playa Vista area while allowing tenants luxury accommodations.

So, between his primary LA residence, getaway homes internationally, and real estate investments within the city, Djimon Hounsou has an impressive array of properties backed by his lucrative acting career spanning over 30 years. 

His assets provide both residential stability and plenty of options for globetrotting travel and leisure over the years ahead.

Djimon Hounsou says it’s still a struggle in Hollywood

It seems that even after decades of acclaimed performances and hits like Gladiator, Amistad, and Blood Diamond, Hounsou still struggles to receive fair compensation in Hollywood. 

In recent interviews this year, he has transparently stated that he continues facing difficulties getting paid his true worth by film studios.

Despite having an Oscar nomination and proven box office draw, he says he is often still presented with inadequate, “lowball” offers for acting roles.

Hounsou pointed out that even elite talents like Viola Davis have spoken out about pay inequality issues despite winning Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars. So systemic problems clearly persist even after actors reach the pinnacle of their profession.

Djimon Hounsou has struggled for fair pay (Source: Variety)

After the SAG-AFTRA strike ended in November 2022 over issues like minimum pay rates, Hounsou indicated that the financial struggles are still a harsh reality. 

He feels the continued need to justify and fight for appropriate paychecks commensurate with his expertise and veteran status rather than having fair compensation provided without question.

So, unfortunately, Hounsou’s remarks expose an unpleasant truth – that even the most seasoned, lauded Black actors face uphill battles getting properly compensated in Hollywood. 

His words emphasize that more progress is still required to achieve fair, unbiased payment standards for diverse entertainment talent.