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Jussie Smollett
Smollett at the 2016 PaleyFest
Born	Justin Smollett (1982-06-21) June 21, 1982 (age 42) Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
Occupations	Actor singer songwriter
Years active	1991–present
Known for	Jamal Lyon (Empire)
Relatives	Jake Smollett (brother) Jurnee Smollett-Bell (sister)
Musical career
Genres	R&B
Labels	Music of Sound Columbia
Musical artist

Justin "Jussie" Smollett (/ˈdʒʌsi/ JUSS-ee, born June 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1987 acting in films including The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner's North (1994). In 2015, Smollett portrayed musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire, a role which was hailed as groundbreaking for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television. Smollett has also appeared in Ridley Scott's science fiction film Alien: Covenant (2017) as Ricks and in Marshall (2017) as Langston Hughes.

Smollett was indicted on February 20, 2019 for disorderly conduct consisting of allegedly paying two Nigerian-American brothers to stage a fake hate crime assault on him and filing a false police report. Smollett's defense team reached a deal with prosecutors on March 26, 2019, in which all charges were dropped in return for Smollett performing community service and forfeiting his $10,000 bond. On March 27, 2019, it was announced that the FBI would be investigating why the charges were dismissed.

Early life

Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, the third of six children of Janet (née Harris) and Joel Smollett (1956–2014). He has three brothers and two sisters: Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz, several of whom are also actors. Smollett is biracial; his mother is African-American and his father was a Jewish man whose family emigrated from Russia and Poland. He has said that his father would "kill you if you called him white". His father was absent from his life for a significant portion of his childhood. He graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. Smollett told his parents he was gay when he was 19.

Career

Smollett began his acting career as a child, appearing in the films The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner's North (1994). On television, he starred alongside his five real-life siblings in the short-lived ABC sitcom On Our Own from 1994–1995. In 2012, Smollett returned to acting with the leading role in Patrik-Ian Polk's LGBT-themed comedy-drama The Skinny. Also that year, he released an EP titled The Poisoned Hearts Club. He later guest-starred on The Mindy Project (2012) and Revenge (2014).

In 2014, Smollett was cast as Jamal Lyon—a gay musician who struggles to gain the approval of his father—opposite Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in the Fox drama series Empire. His role was hailed as "groundbreaking" for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television. Smollett reprised his role in subsequent seasons, and directed an episode of the fourth season in 2017.

In February 2015, Smollett confirmed that he had signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and would be releasing an album in the future. Smollett co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful" on the Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire album, which was released in March 2015.

In June 2015, it was announced that Smollett would guest-star alongside his younger sister, Jurnee, on Underground, which aired in 2016. In March 2018, Smollett released his debut album, Sum of My Music. Sum of My Music is an R&B album that features elements of electronic music and hip hop. Smollett self-released it through his own label, Music of Sound.

On April 30, 2019, it was announced that although Fox Entertainment had extended Smollett's contract for the sixth season of Empire, there were no plans for the character to appear during the season.

Personal life

Smollett came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres in March 2015.

In a 2016 interview with Out, he clarified his sexual orientation by stating, "If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man." However, he stated his belief that openness to love is more important than gender, revealing that "If I fall in love down the road with a woman, I'm going to love that woman." When Smollett's gay character from Empire engaged in a tryst with a female character, Smollett defended the plot development by stating that he and Empire's creator Lee Daniels were trying to create a conversation about sexual fluidity in the gay community. Daniels has stated that while he and Smollett are gay, they both occasionally want to have sex with women. Daniels stated that "We're showing life on Empire", in that both he and Smollett were incorporating their own sexual fluidity as gay men into the show.

Smollett lives in Chicago.

Legal issues

2007 misdemeanor conviction for false name

According to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office, Smollett pleaded no contest to providing false information to law enforcement in a 2007 misdemeanor case resulting from a DUI stop in which Smollett gave police a false name and signed his brother's name on the summons promising to appear in court. Smollett also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid driver's license, and was sentenced to a fine and two years of probation.

2019 alleged assault

On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was attacked outside his apartment building by two men in ski masks who called him racial and homophobic slurs, and said "This is MAGA country", referencing President Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" and used their hands, feet, and teeth as weapons in the assault. According to a statement released by the Chicago Police Department, the two suspects then "poured an unknown liquid" on Smollett and put a noose around his neck. Smollett said that he fought them off. Smollett was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital; not seriously injured, he was released "in good condition" later that morning. The police were called after 2:30 am; when they arrived around 2:40 am, Smollett had a white rope around his neck. Smollett said that the attack may have been motivated by his criticism of the Trump administration and that he believed that the alleged assault was linked to the threatening letter that was sent to him earlier that month.

On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report. The next day, Smollett surrendered himself at the Chicago Police Department's Central Booking station. Shortly thereafter, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that Smollett "is under arrest and in the custody of detectives". On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped, with Judge Steven Watkins ordering the public court file sealed. First Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Magats said the office reached a deal with Smollett's defense team in which prosecutors dropped the charges upon Smollett performing 16 hours of community service and forfeiting his $10,000 bond. On March 27, 2019, it was announced that the FBI would be investigating why the charges were dismissed.

Filmography

Film

Television

Music videos

Awards and nominations

Discography

Albums

Extended plays

Singles

Notes

1. "Good Enough" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
2. "No Apologies" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
3. "I Wanna Love You" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
4. "Money For Nothing" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
5. "Nothing To Lose" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
6. "Powerful" did not enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
7. "Chasing the Sky" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
8. "Good People" did not enter the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

References

1. Mitchell, Gail (April 17, 2018). "'Empire' Star Jussie Smollett Premieres 'Hurt People' Video, Slates 'Sum of My Music' Tour". Billboard. New York City: Billboard-Hollywood Media Group (Valence Media). Retrieved April 17, 2018.
2. Sharee, Toya (March 10, 2018). "'Well That Doesn't Feel Like Freedom' Jussie Smollett Drops 'Sum Of My Music' And Talks Leaving Columbia Records". MadameNoire. United States: Moguldom Media Group. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
3. https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47317701
4. Nemetz, Dave (February 20, 2019). "Jussie Smollett Indicted, Charged With Felony for Filing False Police Report". TVLine. United States: TVLine Media, LLC (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved February 20, 2019.
5. ^ Crepeau, Megan; Buckley, Madeline (March 26, 2019). "Cook County prosecutors drop all charges against Empire actor Jussie Smollett". Chicago Tribune. United States: Tribune Publishing. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
6. ^ "The FBI Is Looking Into Why Charges Against Jussie Smollett Were Dropped". BuzzFeed News.
7. "Jussie Smollett: 'I was NOT born in Brazil!!'". Good Day New York. New York City: WNYW. February 13, 2015. 00:11 minutes in. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015. I was born in northern California. ... says Brazil, makes me look really, really exotic and, like, cultured, but actually I was born in Santa Rosa, California. Note: TV Guide erroneously gives Santa Rosa, Brazil.
8. ^ "Jussie Smollett". TVGuide.com. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
9. Williams, Angela (April 8, 2016). "Jussie Smollett Talks About Growing Up in a Biracial Home and Pranking His 'Empire' Costars". New York City: ABC News. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
10. Garmel, Marion (September 6, 1994). "You're never on your own in a big family". The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis: Gannett Company. Retrieved March 20, 2011. (abstract only)
11. ^ Krochmal, Shana Naomi (January 28, 2016). "Jussie Smollett on How a Black Gay Man Can Save the World". Out. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
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16. Goldberg, Lesley (January 26, 2014). "Taraji P. Henson Nabs Female Lead in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire'". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Billboard-Hollywood Media Group. Archived from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
17. Kay, Ariel (January 7, 2015). "Who Is Jamal on 'Empire'? Jussie Smollett Was in Your Favorite '90s Movies & Is Back on Your New Favorite Show". Bustle.com. Retrieved January 8, 2015.
18. Thompson, Arienne (March 3, 2015). "Malik Yoba denies outing 'Empire' co-star as gay". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
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24. Gelman, Vlada; Gelman, Vlada (June 24, 2015). "Empire's Jussie Smollett Heads Underground Opposite Sister Jurnee Smollett-Bell". TVLine. United States: TVLine Media, LLC (Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
25. Lamarre, Carl (June 6, 2018). "Jussie Smollett on His New Album 'Sum of My Music' & Taking Ownership of His Life: 'I've Never Sold Myself to Anybody'". Billboard. Los Angeles: Billboard-Hollywood Media Group. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
26. Frederick, Brittany (April 12, 2018). "Review: 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett delivers solid debut album". AXS TV. Denver: AXS TV, LLC. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
27. "Jussie Smollett will not return to 'Empire' for next season". AP NEWS. April 30, 2019.
28. "'Empire' renewed at Fox, Jussie Smollett unlikely to return". NBC News.
29. Portwood, Jerry (March 9, 2015). "Empire's Jussie Smollett Comes Out to Ellen". Out. Archived from the original on March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
30. D'Addario, Daniel (March 9, 2015). "'Empire': Why Star Jussie Smollett's Coming-Out Matters". Time. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
31. Logan, Micheal (December 2, 2015). "Empire Sex Scandal: Lee Daniels and Jussie Smollett Defend That Shocking Hook-Up". TV Insider. New York City: TVGM Holdings, LLC. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
32. Crepeau, Megan; Meisner, Jason; Gorner, Jeremy (February 21, 2019). "Judge scolds Jussie Smollett over allegations he staged racist, anti-gay attack: 'Vile and despicable'". Chicago Tribune. Chicago: Tribune Publishing. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
33. ^ Sanchez, Ray; Young, Ryan; Kirkos, Bill; Parks, Brad (February 20, 2019). "Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report". CNN. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
34. ^ "Jussie Smollett case: FBI investigates whether actor had any role in threatening letter". USA Today. McLean, Virginia: Gannett Company. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
35. ^ Gonzalez, Sandra (January 29, 2019). "Empire star Jussie Smollett attacked in possible hate crime". CNN. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved January 29, 2019.
36. "Chicago Police Department Original Case Incident Report" (PDF). WLS-TV. Chicago: Disney–ABC Television Group. January 29, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
37. Allen, Karma (February 4, 2019). "Newly revealed report offers chilling details of alleged Jussie Smollett attack". ABC News. New York City: ABC. Retrieved February 5, 2019.
38. Michallon, Clémence (January 29, 2019). "Empire star Jussie Smollet assaulted in Chicago in suspected hate crime". The Independent. London: Independent Print Limited. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
39. Otterson, Joe (January 29, 2019). "Empire Star Jussie Smollett Assaulted in Chicago in Suspected Hate Crime". Variety. Los Angeles: Variety Media, LLC. (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved January 29, 2019.
40. Penrose, Nerisha (January 29, 2019). "Empire Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized Following Racist, Homophobic Attack". Elle. United States: Hachette Filipacchi Media and Hearst Communications. Retrieved February 3, 2019. he was treated and discharged early Tuesday morning
41. Sobol, Rosemary; Swartz, Tracy; Lee, William (February 1, 2019). "Detectives piecing together 'digital puzzle' as they investigate report of attack on Empire actor Jussie Smollett". Chicago Tribune. Chicago: Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on February 2, 2019. Retrieved February 3, 2019. (URL not available in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.){{cite news}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
42. Andrews, Travis M.; Butler, Bethonie; Chiu, Allyson (January 30, 2019). "Surveillance video shows two 'people of interest' in alleged assault against Empire actor Jussie Smollett, police say". The Washington Post. Washington, D. C.: Nash Holdings. Retrieved February 3, 2019. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the initial police report did not reference those comments, but the actor recalled the information in a follow-up interview with detectives. Guglielmi said Smollett still had a thin, white rope around his neck when officers first made contact with him around 2:40 am, roughly 40 minutes after the alleged assault.
43. Real, Evan; Lewis, Hilary (February 21, 2019). "Jussie Smollett Hits Back at Doubters as He Details Brutal Attack". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles: Billboard-Hollywood Media Group (Valence Media). Retrieved August 13, 2017.
44. Deb, Sopan (February 20, 2019). "Jussie Smollett Faces Felony Charge, Accused of Faking Own Assault". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
45. Sanchez, Ray; Young, Ryan; Kirkos, Bill; Parks, Brad (February 20, 2019). "Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report". CNN. Atlanta: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
46. Estrella, Cicero (February 20, 2019). "Jussie Smollett goes from victim to suspect over alleged hate-crime attack". The Mercury News. San Jose, California: Digital First Media. Retrieved February 20, 2019. is now officially classified as a suspect in a criminal investigation by #ChicagoPolice for filing a false report (Class 4 felony). Detectives are currently presenting evidence before a Cook County Grand Jury.
47. Charles, Sam; Alice, Yin (February 21, 2019). "Smollett dragged 'Chicago's reputation through the mud': CPD Supt.Johnson". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago: Sun-Times Media Group. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
48. Cowen, Trace William (February 21, 2019). "Jussie Smollett Arrested by Chicago Police for 'Publicity Stunt' to Further His Career". Complex. New York City: Complex Media Group (Verizon Hearst Media Partners). Retrieved February 21, 2019.
49. De Mar, Charlie (March 26, 2019). "Jussie Smollett Charges Dropped; 'His Record Has Been Wiped Clean'". WBBM-TV. Chicago: CBS Corporation. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
50. Deanna Paul (March 27, 2019). "Why prosecutors dismissed the charges against Jussie Smollett". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2019. The prosecution required the actor to complete 16 hours of community service through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based social justice organization
51. "Jussie Smollett's Community Service Was with Jesse Jackson's Org". Tmz.com. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
52. "Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett After Actor Forfeits $10,000 Bail, Completes 16 Hours Of Community Service". Chicago.cbslocal.com. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
53. Bosman, Julie; Deb, Sopan (March 26, 2019). "Jussie Smollett's Charges Are Dropped, Angering Mayor and Police". The New York Times. New York City: The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
54. McCarthy, Tyler (March 26, 2019). "Jussie Smollett won't be prosecuted on charges he faked attack". Fox News. New York City: Fox Corporation. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
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74. ^ "Chart Search (Jussie Smollett: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard.biz. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
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External links

• Jussie Smollett at IMDb 

• Biography
• United States
• California
• Illinois
• Chicago
• Film
• Television
• Music

• 1982 births
• 20th-century African-American people
• 21st-century African-American people
• 20th-century American male actors
• 21st-century American male actors
• 21st-century American singers
• 21st-century male singers
• African-American Jews
• African-American male actors
• African-American male child actors
• African-American male singers
• American contemporary R&B singers
• American male film actors
• American male soap opera actors
• American male television actors
• American male child actors
• American people of Polish-Jewish descent
• American people of Russian-Jewish descent
• Columbia Records artists
• Gay actors
• Gay musicians
• Jewish American songwriters
• Jewish singers
• LGBT African Americans
• LGBT Jews
• LGBT musicians from the United States
• LGBT people from California
• Living people
• Male actors from Santa Rosa, California
• Paramus Catholic High School alumni
• African-American-related controversies