Djimon Hounsou’s film fees have been exposed amid a custody battle, more than a year after he claimed he was “struggling to make a living”.
The two-time Oscar nominee filed his financial return amid a contentious custody battle with ex Lisa Simpson over their two children.
According to documents obtained by TMZ, Hounsou earned $1.1 million for “A Quiet Place: Day One,” $1.25 million for “Red Car,” and $400,000 for the horror film “The Monster.”
He also earned $300,000 each for The Rising and The Zealot, and $250,000 for several films in the Rebel Moon series.
Hounsou lists his monthly income as about $60,000, but claims he spends about $85,000, including a $5,000 car ticket and a nearly $10,000 mortgage.
The “Blood Diamond” star, 62, also said she spends $2,500 on groceries and household items, $2,500 on restaurant meals, $2,500 on clothing and $2,500 on entertainment and vacations.
Hounsou also earned $150,000 for his project with FIFA and more than $600,000 in residual income from various projects.
But Simpson, who believes her ex-girlfriend earns about $133,000 a month, asked the court to award her $30,000 in interim legal fees and $10,000 to hire a financial expert for her legal battle.
The “Amistad” actor filed for joint custody of his minor son and daughter after an argument with Simpson last December.
The following month, Golden Globe nominee Simpson was arrested and charged with assault and obstruction after he told police he punched him in the face when he was ordered to leave his Atlanta home.
After his arrest, Simpson obtained a temporary restraining order, but later revoked the order after reaching an agreement with his ex-girlfriend.
Last year, Hounsou revealed that despite a decades-long career and award nominations, he is “still struggling” financially.
“I’ve been in the film production business for over 20 years, I’ve been nominated for two Oscars, I’ve done a lot of blockbusters, but I still struggle financially. I’m definitely underpaid,” the “Gladiator” star told CNN’s “African Voice Changemakers” in January 2025.
Hounsou believes his breakthrough role as Cinque in the 1997 film “Amistad” was disrespected at the Academy Awards, but he said Hollywood still has a lot of progress to make toward diversity in the entertainment industry.
“This conceptual idea of diversity still has a long way to go. Systemic racism isn’t going to change anytime soon,” he says.
