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Top 5 Hollywood Black Actors that are Seriously Underpaid

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Top 5 Hollywood Black Actors that are Seriously Underpaid

In today’s Hollywood, it’s hard to believe that racial pay gaps still exist, but they do. Many top Black actors have openly shared their struggles with being underpaid compared to their white colleagues. This isn’t just about a few dollars; it’s a gaping disparity that’s been part of the industry for way too long.

The history of racism in entertainment runs deep, dating back over a century. Despite the flashy progress and diversity we see on the surface, Black actors like Viola Davis, Angela Bassett, and Taraji P. Henson still earn just a fraction of what white actors make.

It’s not about talent or fame—these are household names who light up our screens and captivate us completely.

You rarely hear about big-name white actors turning down roles because of low pay, but it’s a common story among actors of color. They’re often forced to reject roles or leave the industry because the pay just doesn’t cut it.

And it’s not for lack of opportunities; Hollywood is constantly churning out new shows and movies. The problem is that the paychecks just aren’t the same for everyone.

Take Chadwick Boseman, for example. He starred in Marvel’s Black Panther and was paid $2 million. Meanwhile, his co-stars Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans pocketed over $20 million for their roles in similar Marvel movies. That’s more than just a small difference.

This isn’t just about fairness; it’s about respect and value. Hollywood needs to step up and fund Black-led projects adequately. Right now, these projects are set up to fail from the start, which isn’t fair to the actors or the audiences who miss out on these stories.

Hollywood’s directors often choose white actors for leads because they think that’s what the audience wants. But as the Hollywood Diversity Report of 2020 showed, actors of color only get about three out of every ten leading roles.

Hollywood has come a long way since the days of overt segregation, but when it comes to pay, there’s still a long road ahead. It’s time for the industry to do better and make sure everyone is paid what they’re worth. It’s not just good ethics—it’s good business. After all, when Black actors win, we all do.

Here are top Black actors who have voiced out about being underpaid

Taraji Henson

In an emotional interview with Gayle King on SiriusXM, Taraji P. Henson, famous for roles in “The Color Purple,” “Hidden Figures,” and TV’s “Empire,” spoke about the unfair pay she receives. She confirmed rumors that she’s thought about quitting acting because of this issue.

Henson, holding back tears, shared how tired she is of the situation. “I’m just tired of working so hard, being good at what I do, and still not getting paid what I should,” she said.

She explained that because she doesn’t earn enough, she has to work a lot. “People say, ‘You work a lot.’ Well, I have to. The numbers just don’t add up,” she explained, pointing out that she has a whole team behind her who need to be paid too.

She also expressed frustration over a common belief in Hollywood that Black actors and stories don’t do well internationally. “I’m tired of hearing that my whole career,” Henson said.

She’s upset that there seems to be plenty of money for other projects, but not for ones with Black actors. “I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, and it’s always the same. They say there’s not enough money when it’s our turn,” she added.

Henson ended by saying she’s had enough and is focusing on other projects to protect her well-being. “Enough is enough! I have other things because this industry, if you let it, will steal your soul. I refuse to let that happen,” she stated firmly.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union spoke up about the need for fair pay in Hollywood, especially for actors of color. She talked about this issue on the podcast 9 to 5ish with theSkimm, emphasizing the importance of being open about how much everyone earns.

Union mentioned that Black actresses often feel ashamed because they usually earn less than others. “There’s almost shame involved because we get paid so much less,” she said. She noted that seeing the Forbes’ highest-paid celebrity lists can make Black actors feel unsuccessful.

“You’re like, ‘I’m a failure! That’s what they’re making? And I’m nowhere close.’ But that’s because Black actors don’t talk to each other,” she explained.

She believes that the best way to get better pay is by knowing what your colleagues are making. This knowledge can help actors ask for what they deserve during negotiations. Union criticized movie studios for taking advantage of the fact that actors don’t share this information, which leads to them offering lower pay.

Union thinks that actors of color should talk more about their salaries with each other. This way, they can avoid bad deals and work together to demand fair pay. By talking openly, they can help change how the industry treats pay for everyone.

Djimon Hounsou

Djimon Hounsou, a well-known actor with a long career and two Oscar nominations, has surprisingly shared that he is struggling with money. Hounsou has starred in big movies like “Blood Diamond,” “Gladiator,” and “Aquaman,” and is recognized for his excellent acting.

In a recent talk with CNN International’s Larry Madowo, Hounsou explained that he isn’t paid enough because of ongoing racism in the movie industry.

  • “I have two Oscar nominations and have been in many blockbuster films, yet I struggle with my finances because of systemic racism that won’t easily go away,” he said.

He also discussed the issue of how African actors are treated in Hollywood, pointing out that racism is still a big problem. Hounsou’s situation sheds light on the larger issues of fairness and racial bias that affect how actors of color are paid and treated in Hollywood.

Viola Davis

Viola Davis, an Oscar-winning actress, recently opened up about her challenges in Hollywood, including being underpaid and lacking opportunities compared to her peers.

During a conversation with journalist Tina Brown at the Women in the World Salon event in Los Angeles, Davis highlighted the disparities in her career compared to actresses like Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, and Sigourney Weaver.

“I have a career that’s probably comparable to Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Sigourney Weaver. They all came out of Yale, they came out of Juilliard, they came out of NYU,” Davis said. “They had the same path as me, and yet I am nowhere near them. Not as far as money, not as far as job opportunities, nowhere close to it.”

Her comments shed light on the ongoing issues of pay inequality and limited roles for actors of color in Hollywood, despite having a similarly prestigious educational and professional background as her white counterparts.

Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer recently shared her thoughts about the financial side of being a celebrity. In an Instagram post, she talked about how the entertainment business is like any other industry where you have to manage your money wisely because having a team means your earnings aren’t just for you.

She used a famous quote to explain her point: “In the words of Biggie, ‘More money, more problems,’” Palmer said. She mentioned that while it might look like celebrities make a lot of money, a lot of it goes back into their work and daily expenses.

Palmer also said that having just one job isn’t enough for most people in her industry. “For an entertainment career, you may be like me, an actor, influencer, host, singer, speaker, etc.,” she wrote.

“We ALL work multiple jobs, not just because we want to, but because we have to. To be successful and live in America, you need to manage the balance between what you earn and what you spend, and this is why it’s important to be your own boss, but even that costs a lot! Unless you’re making top dollar like Bill Gates, having one job isn’t really enough.”

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