Jussie Smollett Bio
Jussie Smollett (born June 21, 1982) is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker who began his entertainment career as a child actor in the early 1990s. He gained widespread recognition for his breakthrough role as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire, which aired from 2015 to 2019. Beyond acting, Smollett has pursued a career in music, releasing an EP titled The Poisoned Hearts Club in 2012 and his debut album Sum of My Music in 2018. He has continued to work in the entertainment industry, including directing the film B-Boy Blues in 2021. Smollett remains a prominent figure in discussions of representation in Hollywood.
Early Life and Background
Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, to Joel and Janet (née Harris) Smollett. His mother is African-American and Irish, and his father is Jewish, making Smollett biracial. He has described his father as having a strong presence, noting he would not accept being called white. Smollett grew up with five siblings: Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz, several of whom also pursued careers in acting. The family relocated when he was two years old, moving to the Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens in New York City, and then to Los Angeles when he was approximately seven years old.
Smollett attended Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. During his teenage years, he developed an interest in performing arts and began building the foundation for his future entertainment career. At the age of 19, he shared with his parents that he is gay.
Path to Celebrity
Smollett began his entertainment career as a child model in New York City. He worked as an extra in films including Mo’ Better Blues (1990) and New Jack City (1991), both of which were shot in New York. These early experiences in front of the camera helped him develop his craft and gain exposure to the film industry at a young age. He then transitioned to speaking roles in feature films.
His first major film roles came in The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner’s North (1994). These projects established him as a promising young actor in Hollywood. Following these film appearances, he starred alongside his five siblings in the ABC sitcom On Our Own, which aired from 1994 to 1995. This family collaboration marked an important stepping stone in his career, providing him with television experience and visibility in the industry.
Jussie Smollett Career
Early Career (1991–2009)
After his initial work as a child actor and model, Smollett continued to build his resume with appearances in various projects throughout the 1990s. Following the conclusion of On Our Own, he stepped back from acting for a period to focus on other pursuits. He returned to the entertainment industry in 2012, taking on the lead role in Patrik-Ian Polk’s LGBT-themed comedy-drama The Skinny.
In the same year, Smollett expanded into music by releasing his EP titled The Poisoned Hearts Club. This marked his entry into the music industry as both a singer and songwriter. He also continued acting, guest-starring on television series including The Mindy Project in 2012 and Revenge in 2014, demonstrating his versatility as a performer across different genres.
Breakthrough (2014–2019)
In 2014, Smollett auditioned for and secured the role of Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire. His character was portrayed as a gay musician struggling to gain the approval of his father Lucious Lyon, portrayed by Terrence Howard. The role was developed alongside co-stars Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Smollett’s portrayal was widely praised for its positive representation of a Black gay man on mainstream television, marking a significant cultural moment in the industry.
The role brought Smollett widespread recognition and professional opportunities. In February 2015, he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. He co-wrote songs including “I Wanna Love You” and “You’re So Beautiful” for the Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire, which was released in March 2015. He continued to develop his music career while acting, eventually releasing his debut album Sum of My Music in March 2018 through his own label, Music of Sound. The album blended elements of R&B, electronic music, and hip hop.
In addition to his work as an actor and musician, Smollett explored directing. In 2017, he directed an episode of Empire during its fourth season. He later directed B-Boy Blues, a film based on the 1994 black gay novel by James Earl Hardy, which was released in November 2021.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Smollett has been involved in projects that addressed themes of identity, representation, and community. His role in Empire was particularly significant, as it brought visibility to LGBTQ+ characters of color on network television. His directorial work on B-Boy Blues further demonstrated his commitment to telling stories that represent marginalized communities. In 2016, he guest-starred alongside his sister Jurnee Smollett in the television series Underground.
Jussie Smollett Award Nominations
There are no verified major award nominations to report for Jussie Smollett based on available records.
Jussie Smollett Awards Won
There are no verified major award wins to report for Jussie Smollett based on available records.
Jussie Smollett Family
Jussie Smollett is part of a prominent entertainment family. His parents are Joel Smollett and Janet Smollett. He has five siblings: Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz. Several of his siblings have also pursued careers in the entertainment industry, with his sister Jurnee Smollett notably establishing herself as an accomplished actress. Smollett has collaborated professionally with his siblings, most notably in the family sitcom On Our Own during the mid-1990s.
Personal Life
Jussie Smollett publicly came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres in March 2015. He has been open about his identity and has discussed topics related to sexual fluidity in interviews. On June 20, 2025, Smollett announced his engagement to Jabari Redd.
In 2007, Smollett encountered legal issues when he pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of providing false evidence to law enforcement. These charges resulted from a traffic stop in which he gave police a false name. He also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid driver’s license, receiving a fine and three years of probation.