Djimon Hounsou’s movie paydays exposed in custody battle after claiming he’s ‘struggling to make a living’

Djimon Hounsou’s movie salaries were exposed in his custody battle more than a year after the actor claimed he was “struggling to make a living.”

The two-time Oscar nominee filed a financial declaration amid his contentious custody battle with his ex Ri’za Simpson over their two children.

In the docs obtained by TMZ, Hounsou made $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 made $300,000 each for “The Rising” and “The Zealot” and $250,000 for a couple of films in the “Rebel Moon” franchise.

Hounsou listed his monthly income as around $60,000 — but claims he spends around $85,000, which includes a $5,000 car note and nearly $10,000 for his mortgage.

The “Blood Diamond” star, 62, also said he spends $2,500 on groceries and household items, $2,500 on dining at restaurants, $2,500 on clothing and $2,500 on entertainment and vacations.

Hounsou said he earned $150,000 for a project with FIFA and over $600,000 in residual income from different projects.

However, Simpson believes her ex is raking in around $133,000 per month in income and has asked the court to award her $30,000 in interim attorney fees and $10,000 to retain a financial expert for their legal battle.

The “Amistad” actor filed for joint custody of their minor son and daughter after he and Simpson got into a physical altercation last December.

The following month, Simpson was arrested and charged with assault and obstruction after the Golden Globe nominee told cops she struck him in the face after he ordered her to leave his Atlanta residence.

After the arrest, Simpson obtained a temporary restraining order, but later dismissed it after she and her ex reached an agreement.

Last year, Hounsou revealed he was “still struggling” financially despite his decades-long career and award nominations.

“I’m still struggling to make a living,” he said on CNN’s “African Voices Changemakers” in January 2025.

“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,” the “Gladiator” star added.

Hounsou — who believes he was snubbed by the Academy Awards for his breakout role as Cinqué in the 1997 film “Amistad” — shared that 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 won’t change like that anytime soon,” he said.