Djimon Hounsou Net Worth

What Is Djimon Hounsou's Net Worth and Salary?

Djimon Hounsou is a Beninese-American actor and former fashion model who has a net worth of $2 million.

Djimon Hounsou rose from homelessness in Paris to become a two-time Academy Award nominee and a familiar presence in some of Hollywood's biggest franchises. He first gained widespread recognition as Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's "Amistad," then delivered acclaimed performances in "In America" and "Blood Diamond." His other major credits include "Gladiator," "Constantine," "Furious 7," "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Captain Marvel," "Aquaman," "Shazam!," "A Quiet Place Part II," "Rebel Moon," and "A Quiet Place: Day One."

Despite appearing in numerous blockbusters, Hounsou has spoken openly about being underpaid and struggling to achieve financial security. Court filings made public in 2026 offered an unusually detailed look at his recent compensation, showing seven-figure salaries for some projects but much smaller paychecks for others.

Financial Struggles

Despite earning two Academy Award nominations and appearing in several billion-dollar film franchises, Djimon Hounsou has spoken openly about the difficulty of achieving long-term financial security as a working actor.

In a January 2025 interview with CNN, Hounsou revealed:

"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."

Hounsou said he had also faced discrimination within the film industry, arguing that critical acclaim and prominent roles had not translated into the compensation or opportunities received by some of his peers.

Financial documents filed during a custody dispute in 2026 offered a rare look at his income and expenses. Hounsou reported average gross monthly income of approximately $60,000, while claiming monthly expenses of roughly $85,000. His reported costs included a $9,700 mortgage payment, $5,000 in automobile expenses, $2,500 for groceries and household supplies, $2,500 for dining out, $2,500 for clothing, and approximately $2,500 for entertainment and vacations.

Hounsou emphasized that acting work is unpredictable and that his income can vary dramatically from one year or month to the next. His former partner, Ri'za Marie Simpson, disputed his calculation and estimated that his gross income may have been closer to $133,000 per month.

Film Salaries

The same financial declaration disclosed Hounsou's compensation for several recent projects:

• "Red Card": $1.25 million
• "A Quiet Place: Day One": $1.1 million
• "The Monster": $400,000
• "The Rising": $300,000
• "The Zealot": $300,000
• Two "Rebel Moon" films: $250,000 combined

In addition to his acting salaries, Hounsou disclosed more than $600,000 in residual income from various projects and approximately $150,000 for work connected to FIFA. These figures represented gross earnings before taxes, commissions paid to agents and managers, legal and accounting expenses, and other professional costs. In total, Hounsou earned $4.35 million from these disclosed salaries.

Early Life

Djimon Gaston Hounsou was born on April 24, 1964, in Cotonou, in what was then the Republic of Dahomey and is now Benin. His parents were Albertine and Pierre Hounsou. At age 12, he moved with his brother Edmond to Lyon, France.

Hounsou later dropped out of school and endured a period of homelessness in Paris. His circumstances changed after he met photographer and fashion designer Thierry Mugler, who encouraged him to pursue modeling. Hounsou began working as a model in Paris in 1987 and moved to the United States in 1990.

Modeling and Early Acting Career

Hounsou entered the entertainment industry as a fashion model after photographer and designer Thierry Mugler encouraged him to pursue modeling. He began working in Paris in 1987 and appeared in campaigns and runway shows before moving to the United States in 1990.

His first screen appearances came in prominent music videos. Hounsou appeared in Paula Abdul's "Straight Up," Madonna's "Express Yourself," and Janet Jackson's "Love Will Never Do (Without You)." His striking appearance and commanding physical presence helped him transition into acting.

Hounsou made his feature-film debut in the 1990 Sandra Bernhard comedy "Without You I'm Nothing." During the first half of the decade, he took small roles in films and television programs, including "Stargate," "Beverly Hills, 90210," and "ER."

"Amistad" and Hollywood Breakthrough

Hounsou's career changed dramatically when Steven Spielberg cast him as Sengbe Pieh, also known as Cinqué, in the 1997 historical drama "Amistad." The film told the story of African captives who revolted aboard the slave ship La Amistad and fought for their freedom in the American court system.

Although Hounsou had limited dialogue in English, his performance became the emotional center of the film. He earned a Golden Globe nomination and widespread critical recognition, establishing himself as a serious dramatic actor.

He subsequently appeared as the warrior Juba in Ridley Scott's "Gladiator," starring Russell Crowe. The film became a major commercial and critical success and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Hounsou followed it with roles in "The Four Feathers," "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life," and the French Western "Blueberry."

Academy Award Nominations

Hounsou earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for the 2003 drama "In America." He played Mateo, an artist living in the same New York apartment building as an Irish immigrant family coping with the death of a child. His performance also brought nominations from the Screen Actors Guild and other critics' organizations.

His next major roles included "Constantine," opposite Keanu Reeves, and the science-fiction thriller "The Island," starring Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson.

In 2006, Hounsou starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond." He portrayed Solomon Vandy, a fisherman searching for his family amid the civil war in Sierra Leone. The performance earned him a second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor, along with Screen Actors Guild and Critics' Choice nominations. He also won the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actor.

His other work during this period included "Eragon," "Never Back Down," "Push," "The Tempest," "Elephant White," and "Baggage Claim."

Blockbusters and Franchise Roles

Hounsou became a frequent presence in large-scale action, fantasy, and comic-book films. In 2014, he made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Korath the Pursuer in "Guardians of the Galaxy." He later reprised the character in "Captain Marvel."

He played the mercenary Mose Jakande in "Furious 7," one of the highest-grossing installments in the "Fast & Furious" franchise. His other action and adventure credits included "Seventh Son," "The Vatican Tapes," "The Legend of Tarzan," "King Arthur: Legend of the Sword," and "Serenity."

Hounsou has also appeared in several productions based on DC Comics characters. He voiced the Fisherman King in "Aquaman" and portrayed the ancient wizard who grants Billy Batson his powers in "Shazam!" He returned as the wizard in "Black Adam" and "Shazam! Fury of the Gods."

In 2019, he appeared in the reboot of "Charlie's Angels." He later joined the "A Quiet Place" franchise, first appearing in "A Quiet Place Part II" before returning for the prequel "A Quiet Place: Day One."

Recent Films

Hounsou appeared as a member of the Kingsman organization in "The King's Man" and played Steve Mardenborough in the racing drama "Gran Turismo." He also portrayed General Titus in Zack Snyder's two-part science-fiction epic "Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire" and "Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver."

His other projects have included "The Monster," "The Rising," "The Zealot," and "Red Card," an action thriller featuring Halle Berry and Scott Eastwood. His continued work across independent films and major studio productions has demonstrated his ability to move between prestige drama, fantasy, horror, and action.

Voice Acting

Hounsou has also built a substantial voice-acting résumé. He voiced T'Challa, also known as Black Panther, in the animated television series "Black Panther." In 2014, he voiced the villainous dragon hunter Drago Bludvist in "How to Train Your Dragon 2."

His other voice credits include appearances in animated television, films, and video games. His distinctive voice has made him particularly well-suited to authoritative characters, warriors, and mythological figures.

Modeling and Other Work

Hounsou continued modeling after becoming an established actor. In 2007, Calvin Klein selected him to appear in a major underwear campaign. He also appeared in advertisements connected to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Outside of entertainment, Hounsou has supported humanitarian and environmental causes. In September 2009, he spoke at the United Nations Summit on Climate Change. He later founded the Djimon Hounsou Foundation, an organization focused on reconnecting members of the African diaspora with the continent's culture, history, and heritage.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Personal Life

Hounsou began dating model and fashion designer Kimora Lee Simmons in 2007. They participated in a traditional commitment ceremony in Benin in 2008 but were not legally married in the United States. Their son, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, was born in 2009. Hounsou and Simmons separated in 2012.

Hounsou later entered a relationship with Ri'za Marie Simpson. The former couple share two children, a son born in 2022 and a daughter born in 2023.

In January 2026, Hounsou filed a court case seeking joint legal and physical custody of the children following the couple's breakup and a contentious domestic dispute at his Atlanta residence. Simpson agreed to shared legal custody but asked to receive primary physical custody, citing Hounsou's acting and travel schedule. She also sought child support and assistance with her legal expenses.

The custody case followed conflicting allegations arising from a December 2025 confrontation. Simpson was arrested on charges of simple assault and obstruction after Hounsou alleged that she struck him, allegations she denied. Simpson subsequently obtained a temporary protective order against Hounsou while making allegations of her own. She later dismissed the order after the two sides reached an agreement, although their custody and financial dispute continued. Court filings from the case ultimately revealed extensive information about Hounsou's acting income, monthly expenses, and recent film salaries.

Real Estate

In August 2004, Hounsou paid $1.12 million for a home in Playa del Rey, California. In January 2020, he purchased another house in Los Angeles' Westchester neighborhood for $2.1 million. He listed the Westchester property for rent in October 2023 at $11,750 per month and appears to have found a tenant in February 2024 at approximately $10,500 per month.

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