Djimon Hounsou movie paychecks surface in custody fight
Court filings cited by TMZ list seven-figure film fees, monthly expenses and a dispute over Djimon Hounsou’s income in his case with Ri’za Marie Simpson.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
2 min read
Djimon Hounsou’s custody fight with ex Ri’za Marie Simpson has put some of his Hollywood paydays on the record, with court paperwork cited by TMZ laying out checks from recent film work.
According to a financial declaration filed by Hounsou and obtained by TMZ, the actor listed a $1.1 million fee for “A Quiet Place: Day One.” The filing also says he was paid $1.25 million for “Red Car,” a project involving Halle Berry and Scott Eastwood.
The declaration lists several other acting payments, according to TMZ. Hounsou reported $250,000 for two “Rebel Moon” films, $400,000 for the horror movie “The Monster,” $300,000 for “The Rising” and another $300,000 for “The Zealot.”
Income, expenses and a big monthly gap
In the same court filing, Hounsou put his average gross monthly income at about $60,000, TMZ reports. He also claimed his monthly spending lands at roughly $85,000.
The expenses listed in the paperwork include $5,000 for a car, $9,700 for a mortgage, $2,500 for groceries and household supplies, $2,500 for restaurants, $2,500 for clothing, and about $2,500 for entertainment and vacations, according to TMZ.
Hounsou told the court that acting work is not steady and that his earnings can swing sharply from project to project, TMZ reports.
The filing also says Hounsou earned more than $600,000 in residuals from multiple projects, along with $150,000 for a FIFA-related project, according to TMZ.
Simpson challenges the numbers
Simpson is taking a different view of Hounsou’s finances. TMZ reports that she believes his monthly gross income may be closer to $133,000 once all revenue is included.
She is asking the court for $30,000 in temporary attorney fees and another $10,000 to hire a financial expert for the case, according to TMZ.
The money dispute is part of a broader custody battle between the actor and Simpson. TMZ previously reported that Hounsou sought joint custody in January after a domestic dispute involving the two.
Police were called during that incident, and Simpson was arrested on a simple assault charge, TMZ reported. Simpson denied the allegations.
Hounsou, known for roles across major studio films, and Simpson remain in court as the financial filings become a key piece of the custody fight. The figures now before the court show both the size of Hounsou’s recent film checks and the disagreement over what they mean for his month-to-month income.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.