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{{short description|American actor (born 1982)}}
{{pp-blp|small=yes}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{short description|American actor}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Jussie Smollett | name = Jussie Smollett
| image = Jussie Smollett (26362136311).jpg | image = Jussie Smollett (26362136311).jpg
| caption = Smollett at the 2016 ]
| iثmage_size =
| alt = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|6|21}}
| caption = Smollett at the 2016 ] | birth_place = ], U.S.
| occupation = {{flatlist|
| birth_name = Justin Smollett
* Actor
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|6|21}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| residence = ], ], U.S.
| alma_mater =
| occupation = {{flatlist|
* Actor
* singer * singer
* songwriter}}
| years_active = 1991–present
| known_for = ] ('']'')
| relatives = ] (brother)<br/>] (sister)
| module = {{Infobox musical artist
| embed = yes
| background = solo_singer
| genre = ]
| label = {{flatlist|
* Music of Sound<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8343509/empire-star-jussie-smollett-hurt-people-premiere-sum-of-my-music-tour|title='Empire' Star Jussie Smollett Premieres 'Hurt People' Video, Slates 'Sum of My Music' Tour|date=April 17, 2018|first=Gail|last=Mitchell|work=]|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Media Group (])|location=]|accessdate=April 17, 2018}}</ref>
* ]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://madamenoire.com/1017516/jussie-smollett-releases-sum-of-my-music/|title='Well That Doesn’t Feel Like Freedom' Jussie Smollett Drops 'Sum Of My Music' And Talks Leaving Columbia Records|date=March 10, 2018|first=Toya|last=Sharee|magazine=]|publisher=Moguldom Media Group|location=United States|accessdate=March 11, 2018}}</ref>}}
}} }}
| years_active = 1991–1995; 2009–present
| relatives = ] (sister)<br />] (brother)
}} }}
'''Jussie Smollett'''<!-- do not add any birth name without a reliable secondary source, not a primary birthrecord or collection of birth records like CBI. See archive 2 for full discussion --> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|dʒ|ʌ|s|i|_|s|m|ə|l|ˈ|ɛ|t}}, born June 21, 1982)<ref>{{cite news |title=Celebrity birthdays for the week of June 21–27 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/celebrity-birthdays-week-june-21-27-71253371 |access-date=December 15, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ABC News |date=June 15, 2020 |quote=June 21: Actor Jussie Smollett ("Empire") is 38.}}</ref> is an American actor and singer.<!-- see https://en.wikipedia.org/Talk:Jussie_Smollett/Archive_2#RfC_on_%22convicted_felon%22_in_lead before adding "convicted felon"--> He began his career as a child actor in 1991 debuting in '']'' (1992). From 2015 to 2019, Smollett portrayed musician ] in the ] drama series '']''.


In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, but police later determined ]. Initially charged with filing a false police report, charges were dropped after Smollett completed community service and forfeited $10,000. In 2020, a special prosecutor re-indicted him and Smollett was convicted on five counts in December 2021. Sentenced to jail in March 2022, which was upheld on appeal in 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court later reversed the conviction in 2024 on the basis that Smollett had fulfilled the plea agreement made in 2019.
'''Justin "Jussie" Smollett''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|dʒ|ʌ|s|i}} {{respell|JUSS|ee}},<ref>https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47317701</ref> born June 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1987 acting in films including '']'' (1992) and ]'s '']'' (1994). In 2015, Smollett portrayed musician ] in the ] drama series '']'', a role which was hailed as groundbreaking for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television. Smollett has also appeared in ]'s science fiction film '']'' (2017) as Ricks and in '']'' (2017) as ].

Smollett was indicted on February 20, 2019 for ] consisting of allegedly paying two Nigerian-American brothers to stage a ] assault on him and filing a false police report.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nemetz|first1=Dave|title=Jussie Smollett Indicted, Charged With Felony for Filing False Police Report|url=https://tvline.com/2019/02/20/jussie-smollett-indicted-felony-false-police-report-empire/|accessdate=February 20, 2019|work=]|publisher=TVLine Media, LLC (])|location=United States|date=February 20, 2019}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ChicagoTribune" /> On March 27, 2019, it was announced that the ] would be investigating why the charges were dismissed.<ref name=fbiinvestigation>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/jussie-smollett-federal-officials-fbi-doj-chicago-charges|title=The FBI Is Looking Into Why Charges Against Jussie Smollett Were Dropped|website=BuzzFeed News}}</ref>


{{TOC limit|3}} {{TOC limit|3}}


==Early life== ==Early life==
Smollett was born in ], the third of six children of Janet ({{nee}} Harris) and Joel Smollett (1956–2014).<ref name=gdnn>{{cite news|title=Jussie Smollett: 'I was NOT born in Brazil!!'|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deWY1-5TCVY|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 13, 2015|accessdate=March 12, 2015|minutes=00:11|quote=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.|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6WyvTI4Ic?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deWY1-5TCVY|archivedate=March 12, 2015|url-status=live|df=}} Note: '']'' erroneously gives Santa Rosa, Brazil.</ref> He has three brothers and two sisters: ], Jocqui, Jojo, ], and Jazz, several of whom are also actors.<ref name=tvg>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jussie-smollett-208025/bio/ |title=Jussie Smollett |magazine=] |accessdate= March 9, 2015}}</ref> Smollett is biracial;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jussie-smollett-talks-growing-biracial-home-pranking-empire/story?id=38250513|title=Jussie Smollett Talks About Growing Up in a Biracial Home and Pranking His 'Empire' Costars|first=Angela|last=Williams|publisher=]|location=]|date=April 8, 2016|accessdate=April 9, 2016}}</ref> his mother is ] and his father was a Jewish man whose family emigrated from ] and ].<ref name=ao>{{Cite news|last=Garmel|first=Marion|title=You're never on your own in a big family|pages=|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=September 6, 1994|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/indystar/access/1874818501.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Sep+06%2C+1994&author=MARION+GARMEL&pub=Indianapolis+Star&desc=You're+never+on+your+own+in+a+big+family&pqatl=google|accessdate=March 20, 2011}} (abstract only)</ref> He has said that his father would "kill you if you called him ]". His father was absent from his life for a significant portion of his childhood.<ref name=kick/> He graduated from ] in ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.com/who-jussie-smollett-empire-actor-faces-police-questions-about-possible-staged-attack-2764772|title=Who Is Jussie Smollett? 'Empire' Actor Faces Police Questions About Possible Staged Attack|first=Bobby |last=Ilich|date=February 16, 2019|work=]|publisher=IBT Media|location=]|accessdate=February 17, 2019}}</ref> Smollett told his parents he was ] when he was 19.<ref name=kick/> Jussie Smollett was born in ],<ref name=gdnn>{{cite AV media |title=Jussie Smollett: 'I was NOT born in Brazil!!' |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deWY1-5TCVY |work=] |location=New York City |date=February 13, 2015 |access-date=March 12, 2015 |minutes=00:05|via=YouTube |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150312204114/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deWY1-5TCVY |archive-date=March 12, 2015 |url-status=live }} Note: '']'' erroneously gives Santa Rosa, Brazil.</ref> to Joel and Janet (née Harris) Smollett. He has three brothers and two sisters: ], Jocqui, Jojo, ], and Jazz, several of whom are also actors.<ref name=tvg>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/jussie-smollett-208025/bio/ |title=Jussie Smollett |magazine=] |access-date= March 9, 2015}}</ref> Smollett is ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/jussie-smollett-talks-growing-biracial-home-pranking-empire/story?id=38250513 |title=Jussie Smollett Talks About Growing Up in a Biracial Home and Pranking His 'Empire' Costars |first=Angela |last=Williams |work=] |location=New York City |date=April 8, 2016 |access-date=April 9, 2016}}</ref> and Jewish.<ref>{{cite news | last1 = Babwin| first1 =Don | last2 = Burnett | first2 = Sara |title = Jussie Smollett convicted of staging racist attack against himself, lying to police: Gay, black, Jewish actor guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct, a felony, for incident in Chicago three years ago; lost gig on 'Empire' over hoax | newspaper =] | date =December 10, 2021 | url = https://www.timesofisrael.com/jussie-smollett-convicted-of-staging-racist-attack-against-himself-lying-to-police/amp/ | accessdate =March 18, 2023}}</ref> His mother is African-American, and his father is Jewish.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/black-jewish-actor-jussie-smollett-violently-assaulted-579151|title=Black Jewish actor Jussie Smollett violently assaulted |newspaper=] |date=February 24, 2019 |first1=Ilanit |last1=Chernick |first2=Emily |last2=Burack }}</ref> He has said that his father would "kill you if you called him ]". His father was absent from his life for a significant portion of his childhood.<ref name=kick/> The family moved to the ] neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens when he was two years old, then to Los Angeles when he was about seven.<ref name=gdnn /> Smollett graduated from ] in ].<ref name=gdnn /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/who-jussie-smollett-empire-actor-faces-police-questions-about-possible-staged-attack-2764772|title=Who Is Jussie Smollett? 'Empire' Actor Faces Police Questions About Possible Staged Attack|first=Bobby |last=Ilich |date=February 16, 2019 |work=] |location=New York City |access-date=February 17, 2019}}</ref> When he was 19, Smollett told his parents he was gay.<ref name=kick/>


==Career== ==Career==
]]] ]]]
Smollett began his acting career as a child, appearing in the films '']'' (1992) and ]'s '']'' (1994). On television, he starred alongside his five real-life siblings in the short-lived ] sitcom '']'' from 1994–1995.<ref>{{cite journal|date=October 1994|title=The '94 TV Season: Who's New and Who's Back|journal=]|publisher=] ({{small|prior to 2016}}) Ebony Media Operations, LLC ({{small|after 2016}})|location=]|volume=49|issue=12|page=27|issn=0012-9011}}</ref> In 2012, Smollett returned to acting with the leading role in ]'s ]-themed comedy-drama '']''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://dbqmag.com/jussiesmollett.html|work=DBQ Magazine|publisher=DBQ Magazine, LLC|agency=]|location=]|title=Fall in Love with Jussie Smollett|accessdate=January 8, 2015|archivedate=January 9, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109022811/http://dbqmag.com/jussiesmollett.html|url-status=dead|df=}}</ref> Also that year, he released an ] titled ''The Poisoned Hearts Club''.<ref name="tvg"/><ref name="Random Tandem">{{cite web|url=http://www.randomtandem.com/2012/03/09/jussie-smolletts-debuts-ep/|title=Jussie Smollett's Debut EP CD|date=March 9, 2012|work=Random Tandem|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024053813/http://www.randomtandem.com/2012/03/09/jussie-smolletts-debuts-ep/|archivedate=October 24, 2014|url-status=dead|df=}}</ref> He later guest-starred on '']'' (2012) and '']'' (2014).<ref name=kick/> Smollett began his acting career as a child model in New York City and later worked as an ] on the New York-shot movies '']'' (1990) and '']'' (1991)<ref name=gdnn /> He went on to act in the films '']'' (1992) and ]'s '']'' (1994). On television, he starred alongside his five real-life siblings in the short-lived ] sitcom '']'' in 1994–1995.<ref>{{cite journal |date=October 1994 |title=The '94 TV Season: Who's New and Who's Back |journal=] |location=Chicago |volume=49 |issue=12 |page=27 |issn=0012-9011}}</ref> In 2012, Smollett returned to acting with the leading role in ]'s ]-themed comedy-drama '']''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dbqmag.com/jussiesmollett.html |work=DBQ Magazine |agency=] |location=New York City |title=Fall in Love with Jussie Smollett |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-date=January 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109022811/http://dbqmag.com/jussiesmollett.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Also that year, he released an ] titled ''The Poisoned Hearts Club''.<ref name="tvg"/><ref name="Random Tandem">{{cite web |url=http://www.randomtandem.com/2012/03/09/jussie-smolletts-debuts-ep/ |title=Jussie Smollett's Debut EP CD |date=March 9, 2012 |work=Random Tandem |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024053813/http://www.randomtandem.com/2012/03/09/jussie-smolletts-debuts-ep/ |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He later guest-starred on '']'' (2012) and '']'' (2014).<ref name=kick/>


In 2014, Smollett was cast as ]—a gay musician who struggles to gain the approval of ]—opposite ] and ] in the ] drama series '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/taraji-p-henson-nabs-female-683622|title=Taraji P. Henson Nabs Female Lead in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire'|work=]|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Media Group|location=]|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|date=January 26, 2014|accessdate=January 8, 2015|archivedate=February 13, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213224124/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/taraji-p-henson-nabs-female-683622|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/57132-who-is-jamal-on-empire-jussie-smollett-was-in-your-favorite-90s-movies-is-back|title=Who Is Jamal on 'Empire'? Jussie Smollett Was in Your Favorite '90s Movies & Is Back on Your New Favorite Show|first=Ariel|last=Kay|date=January 7, 2015|website=Bustle.com|accessdate=January 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/malik-yoba-i-did-not-out-my-empire-co-star-as-gay/24343721|title=Malik Yoba denies outing 'Empire' co-star as gay|first=Arienne|last=Thompson|date=March 3, 2015|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|accessdate=March 9, 2015|archivedate=March 10, 2015|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6Ww5V75tw?url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/malik-yoba-i-did-not-out-my-empire-co-star-as-gay/24343721/|url-status=live}}</ref> His role was hailed as "groundbreaking" for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleylcarter/being-gay-and-black-on-tv-will-never-be-the-same|title=Being Gay And Black On TV Will Never Be The Same|work=BuzzFeed|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Smollett reprised his role in subsequent seasons,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/empire-renewed-season-4-fox-1201958010/|title='Empire' Renewed for Fourth Season at Fox|last=Wagmeister|first=Elizabeth|date=January 11, 2017|work=]|publisher=Variety Media, LLC. (])|location=]|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> and directed an episode of the fourth season in 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eonline.com/ca/news/872225/empire-season-4-a-prince-homage-and-jussie-smollett-s-directorial-debut|title=Empire Season 4: A Prince Homage and Jussie Smollett's Directorial Debut|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> In 2014, Smollett was cast as ]—a gay musician struggling to gain the approval of his father ]—opposite ] and ] in the ] drama series '']''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/taraji-p-henson-nabs-female-683622|title=Taraji P. Henson Nabs Female Lead in Fox's Lee Daniels Hip-Hop Drama 'Empire' |work=] |location=Los Angeles |first=Lesley |last=Goldberg |date=January 26, 2014 |access-date=January 8, 2015 |archive-date=February 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213224124/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/taraji-p-henson-nabs-female-683622 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/57132-who-is-jamal-on-empire-jussie-smollett-was-in-your-favorite-90s-movies-is-back |title=Who Is Jamal on 'Empire'? Jussie Smollett Was in Your Favorite '90s Movies & Is Back on Your New Favorite Show |first=Ariel |last=Kay |date=January 7, 2015 |website=Bustle.com |access-date=January 8, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/malik-yoba-i-did-not-out-my-empire-co-star-as-gay/24343721 |title=Malik Yoba denies outing 'Empire' co-star as gay |first=Arienne |last=Thompson|date=March 3, 2015 |work=] |location=McLean, Virginia |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310110211/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2015/03/03/malik-yoba-i-did-not-out-my-empire-co-star-as-gay/24343721/ |url-status=live}}</ref> His role was hailed as groundbreaking for its positive depiction of a black gay man on television.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/kelleylcarter/being-gay-and-black-on-tv-will-never-be-the-same |title=Being Gay And Black On TV Will Never Be The Same |work=BuzzFeed |access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Smollett reprised his role in subsequent seasons<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/empire-renewed-season-4-fox-1201958010/ |title='Empire' Renewed for Fourth Season at Fox |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=January 11, 2017 |work=] |location=Los Angeles |access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> and directed an episode of the fourth season in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.eonline.com/ca/news/872225/empire-season-4-a-prince-homage-and-jussie-smollett-s-directorial-debut |title=Empire Season 4: A Prince Homage and Jussie Smollett's Directorial Debut |work=] |location=Los Angeles |access-date=March 16, 2018}}</ref> Smollett's character was removed from the final two episodes of season five because of the assault controversy.<ref name="six"/><ref name=removed>{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smolletts-empire-role-cut-from-seasons-final-episode-creators-say|title=Jussie Smollett's 'Empire' role cut from season's final episodes, creators say|last=Savitsky|first=Sasha|date=February 22, 2019|publisher=]|location=New York City|language=en-US|access-date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>


In February 2015, Smollett confirmed that he had signed a recording contract with ] and would be releasing an album in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ew.com/article/2015/02/26/empire-star-jussie-smollett-playing-jamal-%E2%80%98somebody-wrote-me-letter-and-said|title='Empire' star Jussie Smollett discusses Jamal's coming-out|work=]|date=February 26, 2015|accessdate=March 9, 2015|archivedate=February 27, 2015| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227101520/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/02/26/empire-star-jussie-smollett-playing-jamal-%E2%80%98somebody-wrote-me-letter-and-said|url-status=live}}</ref> Smollett co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful" on the '']'' album, which was released in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|author=]|date=March 10, 2015|title=Review: Jussie Smollett Wears Crown on 'Empire' Soundtrack|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/03/10/arts/ap-us-music-review-empire-soundtrack.html?_r=0|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|accessdate=April 1, 2015}}</ref> In February 2015, Smollett confirmed that he had signed a recording contract with ] and would be releasing an album in the future.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/02/26/empire-star-jussie-smollett-playing-jamal-%E2%80%98somebody-wrote-me-letter-and-said |title='Empire' star Jussie Smollett discusses Jamal's coming-out |magazine=] |date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=February 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227101520/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/02/26/empire-star-jussie-smollett-playing-jamal-%E2%80%98somebody-wrote-me-letter-and-said |url-status=live}}</ref> Smollett co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful" on the '']'' album, which was released in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=March 10, 2015 |title=Review: Jussie Smollett Wears Crown on 'Empire' Soundtrack |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/03/10/arts/ap-us-music-review-empire-soundtrack.html|work=The New York Times |location=New York City |access-date=April 1, 2015 }}</ref>


In June 2015, it was announced that Smollett would guest-star alongside his younger sister, ], on '']'', which aired in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvline.com/2015/06/24/jussie-smollett-underground-cast-wgn-america-series-jurnee|title=Empire's Jussie Smollett Heads Underground Opposite Sister Jurnee Smollett-Bell|first1=Vlada|last1=Gelman|first2=Vlada|last2=Gelman|date=June 24, 2015|work=]|publisher=TVLine Media, LLC (]|location= United States|accessdate=June 24, 2015}}</ref> In March 2018, Smollett released his debut album, ''Sum of My Music''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lamarre|first=Carl|work=]|publisher= Billboard-Hollywood Media Group|location=]|date=June 6, 2018|title=Jussie Smollett on His New Album 'Sum of My Music' & Taking Ownership of His Life: 'I've Never Sold Myself to Anybody'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459677/jussie-smollett-interview-sum-of-my-music-tour-empire|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref> ''Sum of My Music'' is an ] album that features elements of ] and ]. Smollett self-released it through his own label, Music of Sound.<ref>{{cite news|last=Frederick|first=Brittany|work=]|publisher=AXS TV, LLC|location=]|date=April 12, 2018|title=Review: 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett delivers solid debut album|url=https://www.axs.com/review-empire-star-jussie-smollett-delivers-solid-debut-album-129533|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref> In June 2015, it was announced that Smollett would guest-star alongside his younger sister ] in '']'', which aired in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://tvline.com/2015/06/24/jussie-smollett-underground-cast-wgn-america-series-jurnee |title=Empire's Jussie Smollett Heads Underground Opposite Sister Jurnee Smollett-Bell |first1=Vlada |last1=Gelman |date=June 24, 2015 |work=] |location=United States |access-date=June 24, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626135237/http://tvline.com/2015/06/24/jussie-smollett-underground-cast-wgn-america-series-jurnee/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Smollett released his debut album, ''Sum of My Music'', in March 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lamarre |first=Carl |magazine=] |location=Los Angeles |date=June 6, 2018 |title=Jussie Smollett on His New Album 'Sum of My Music' & Taking Ownership of His Life: 'I've Never Sold Myself to Anybody'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/8459677/jussie-smollett-interview-sum-of-my-music-tour-empire |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> ''Sum of My Music'' is an ] album that features elements of ] and ]. Smollett self-released it through his own label, Music of Sound.<ref>{{cite news |last=Frederick |first=Brittany |publisher=] |location=Denver |date=April 12, 2018 |title=Review: 'Empire' star Jussie Smollett delivers solid debut album |url=https://www.axs.com/review-empire-star-jussie-smollett-delivers-solid-debut-album-129533 |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/b3276d9075aa437c859ed40ed2ec0661|title=Jussie Smollett will not return to 'Empire' for next season|date=April 30, 2019|website=AP NEWS}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/empire-renewed-fox-jussie-smollett-unlikely-return-n1000416|title='Empire' renewed at Fox, Jussie Smollett unlikely to return|website=NBC News}}</ref> On April 30, 2019, ] announced that though Smollett's contract had been extended for the sixth season of ''Empire'', there were no plans for his character to appear during it.<ref name="six">{{cite news |url= https://apnews.com/b3276d9075aa437c859ed40ed2ec0661|title=Jussie Smollett will not return to 'Empire' for next season |date=April 30, 2019 |work=]|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200215012705/https://apnews.com/b3276d9075aa437c859ed40ed2ec0661|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/empire-renewed-fox-jussie-smollett-unlikely-return-n1000416 |title='Empire' renewed at Fox, Jussie Smollett unlikely to return |publisher=]}}</ref>


Smollett directed '']'', a movie based on the 1994 black gay novel by ]. The movie was released in November 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rollingout.com/2021/11/22/jussie-smollett-unveils-film-directorial-debut-b-boy-blues-video/|title=Jussie Smollett unveils film directorial debut 'B-Boy Blues' (video)|date=November 22, 2021}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Smollett ] as gay during a televised interview with ] in March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/09/empires-jussie-smollett-comes-out-ellen| title=Empire's Jussie Smollett Comes Out to Ellen| work=] | first=Jerry| last=Portwood | date=March 9, 2015|accessdate= March 9, 2015 | archivedate= March 10, 2015| archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150310080908/http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/09/empires-jussie-smollett-comes-out-ellen | url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://time.com/3737304/empire-jussie-smollett-comes-out/|title='Empire': Why Star Jussie Smollett's Coming-Out Matters|first=Daniel | last=D'Addario|work=]|date= March 9, 2015|accessdate= March 9, 2015| archivedate= March 9, 2015| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309235818/http://time.com/3737304/empire-jussie-smollett-comes-out/| url-status=live}}</ref>


==2019 hate crime hoax==
In a 2016 interview with '']'', 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."<ref name=kick>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/2016/1/28/exclusive-jussie-smollett-being-black-and-gay-hollywood |title=Jussie Smollett on How a Black Gay Man Can Save the World|first=Shana Naomi | last=Krochmal |magazine=]|date=January 28, 2016|accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref> When Smollett's gay character from '']'' engaged in a tryst with a female character, Smollett defended the plot development by stating that he and ''Empire''{{'s}} creator ] were trying to create a conversation about ] 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/57382/empire-fall-finale-post-mortem-lee-daniels-jussie-smollett-on-that-shocking-hook-up/|title=Empire Sex Scandal: Lee Daniels and Jussie Smollett Defend That Shocking Hook-Up|first=Micheal|last=Logan|work=]|publisher=TVGM Holdings, LLC|location=]|date=December 2, 2015|accessdate=May 6, 2017}}</ref>
{{main|Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax}}
On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was physically attacked outside his apartment building along with the use of ] and ] slurs.<ref name="CNN attack">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html |title=''Empire'' star Jussie Smollett attacked in possible hate crime |first=Sandra |last=Gonzalez |publisher=] |location=Atlanta |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref><ref name="original_case_incident_report">{{cite news |title=Chicago Police Department Original Case Incident Report |url=https://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/020419-smollett-report-doc.pdf |publisher=] |location=Chicago |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=February 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Karma |last=Allen |title=Newly revealed report offers chilling details of alleged Jussie Smollett attack |publisher=] |location=New York City |date=February 4, 2019 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/newly-revealed-report-offers-chilling-details-alleged-jussie/story?id=60842410 |access-date=February 5, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jussie-smollett-empire-attack-gay-racial-homophobic-assault-chicago-a8752836.html |title=''Empire'' star Jussie Smollet assaulted in Chicago in suspected hate crime |first=Clémence |last=Michallon |work=] |location=London |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=January 30, 2019}}</ref> Smollett was treated at ] and was released "in good condition" later that morning.<ref name="CNN attack"/><ref name="Variety attack">{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jussie-smollett-empire-assaulted-chicago-1203122135/ |title=''Empire'' Star Jussie Smollett Assaulted in Chicago in Suspected Hate Crime |last=Otterson |first=Joe |work=] |location=Los Angeles |date=January 29, 2019|access-date=January 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26077305/empire-jussie-smollett-hospitalized-hate-crime/ |title=''Empire'' Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized Following Racist, Homophobic Attack |first=Nerisha |last=Penrose |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |work=] |location=United States |quote=he was treated and discharged early Tuesday morning}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-empire-persons-of-interest-20190130-story.html|title=Detectives piecing together 'digital puzzle' as they investigate report of attack on ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett |first1=Rosemary |last1=Sobol |first2=Tracy |last2=Swartz |first3=William |last3=Lee |work=] |location=Chicago |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212629/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-empire-persons-of-interest-20190130-story.html |date=February 1, 2019 |archive-date=February 2, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019 |url-access=limited |postscript=. (URL not available in the ] or ].)}}</ref><ref name="Washington Post 2019-01-30">{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/29/empire-actor-jussie-smollett-assaulted-chicago-potential-hate-crime/|title=Surveillance video shows two 'people of interest' in alleged assault against ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett, police say |first1=Travis M. |last1=Andrews |first2=Bethonie |last2=Butler |first3=Allyson |last3=Chiu |newspaper=] |location=Washington, D.C. |date=January 30, 2019 |access-date=February 3, 2019}}</ref> A subsequent police investigation found that Smollett paid two work acquaintances, who were also brothers, to stage the assault.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Babwin |first1=Don |title=Jussie Smollett walks out of jail after lawyers win appeal motion for his release |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2022/03/16/jussie-smollett-jail-sentence-appeals-court-decision/7064981001/ |work=USA Today |date=March 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Julia |title=Jussie Smollett Released From Jail on Order of Appellate Court |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/16/arts/television/jussie-smollett-released.html |work=The New York Times |date=March 16, 2022}}</ref>


On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a ] with a class 4 ] for ].<ref name="Sopan Deb">{{cite news |last=Deb |first=Sopan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/arts/television/jussie-smollett-attack-suspect.html |title=Jussie Smollett Faces Felony Charge, Accused of Faking Own Assault |work=The New York Times |location=New York City |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ray Sanchez">{{cite news |first1=Ray |last1=Sanchez |first2=Ryan |last2=Young |first3=Bill |last3=Kirkos |first4=Brad |last4=Parks |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html |title=Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report |publisher=] |location=Atlanta |date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="IndictedMercuryNews">{{cite news |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/20/jussie-smollett-goes-from-victim-to-suspect-in-alleged-hate-crime-attack-on-himself/amp/ |title=Jussie Smollett goes from victim to suspect over alleged hate-crime attack |first=Cicero |last=Estrella |date=February 20, 2019 |work=] |location=San Jose, California |access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-arrested-in-chicago-for-allegedly-staging-hate-crime-police/ |title=Smollett dragged 'Chicago's reputation through the mud': CPD Supt.Johnson |last1=Charles |first1=Sam |last2=Grimm |first2=Andy |work=] |location=Chicago |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226234141/https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-arrested-in-chicago-for-allegedly-staging-hate-crime-police/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://amp.www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/02/jussie-smollett-arrest-chicago-police |title=Jussie Smollett Arrested by Chicago Police for 'Publicity Stunt' to Further His Career |first=Trace William |last=Cowen |magazine=] |location=New York City |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date=February 21, 2019 |archive-date=February 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222065906/https://amp.www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/02/jussie-smollett-arrest-chicago-police |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped.<ref name="ChicagoTribune">{{cite news|last1=Crepeau|first1=Megan|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-20190326-story.html|title=Cook County prosecutors drop all charges against ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett|date=March 26, 2019|work=]|access-date=March 26, 2019|last2=Buckley|first2=Madeline|publisher=]|location=Chicago, Illinois}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped/|title=Jussie Smollett Charges Dropped; 'His Record Has Been Wiped Clean'|first=Charlie|last=De Mar|publisher=]|location=Chicago|date=March 26, 2019|access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> 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&nbsp;hours of ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deanna Paul |title=Why prosecutors dismissed the charges against Jussie Smollett |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/27/why-prosecutors-dismissed-charges-against-jussie-smollett/ |access-date=March 27, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 27, 2019 |archive-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229045328/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/27/why-prosecutors-dismissed-charges-against-jussie-smollett/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-community-service-rainbow-push-jesse-jackson-charges-dropped/ |title=Jussie Smollett's Community Service Was with Jesse Jackson's Org. |website=Tmz.com |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4054261-charges-dropped-against-jussie-smollett-after-actor-forfeits-10000-bail-completes-16-hours-of-community-service/ |title=Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett After Actor Forfeits $10,000 Bail, Completes 16 Hours Of Community Service |website=Chicago.cbslocal.com |access-date=March 28, 2019}}</ref> and forfeiting his $10,000 ].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/arts/television/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped.html |title=Jussie Smollett's Charges Are Dropped, Angering Mayor and Police |last1=Bosman |first1=Julie |date=March 26, 2019 |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |last2=Deb |first2=Sopan |access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Tyler">{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-wont-be-prosecuted-on-charges-he-faked-attack |title=Jussie Smollett won't be prosecuted on charges he faked attack |first=Tyler |last=McCarthy |publisher=] |location=New York City |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Madhani">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-against-empire-star/3276106002/ |title=Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett |first=Aamer |last=Madhani |work=] |location=McLean, Virginia |date=March 26, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit in the ] against Smollett for the costs, totaling $130,105.15, of overtime authorities expended investigating the hoax.<ref name="ABCE7N20190412">{{cite news |title=Jussie Smollett update: City sues 'Empire' actor for cost of investigating alleged staged attack |url=https://abc7chicago.com/city-sues-jussie-smollett-for-cost-of-investigating-alleged-staged-attack-/5244143/ |access-date=April 15, 2019 |agency=ABC Eyewitness 7 News |date=April 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/jussie-smollett-chicago-lawsuit-hate-crime-empire-1203181373/ |title=Chicago to Sue Jussie Smollett After He Refuses to Pay Investigation Costs |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |date=April 4, 2019 |website=Variety |access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Indicted">{{cite news|last=Jacobs|first=Julia|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/11/arts/television/jussie-smollett-indicted-chicago.html|title=Jussie Smollett Indicted Again in Attack That Police Called a Hoax|date=February 11, 2020|work=]|location=New York City|access-date=February 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="fbiinvestigation">{{cite news |last=Reinstein |first=Julia |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/juliareinstein/jussie-smollett-federal-officials-fbi-doj-chicago-charges |title=The FBI Is Looking Into Why Charges Against Jussie Smollett Were Dropped |date=March 28, 2019 |work=Buzzfeed News |access-date=February 12, 2020 }}</ref> In November 2019, Smollett filed a ] against the city of Chicago alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and arguing he should not be made to reimburse the city for the cost of the investigation.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jussie-smollett-suing-chicago-claiming-malicious-prosecution-over-alleged-attack-2019-11-20/ |title=Jussie Smollett files countersuit against Chicago claiming malicious prosecution |date=November 20, 2019 |access-date=November 27, 2019 |publisher=CBS News}}</ref>
Smollett lives in Chicago.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jussie-smollet-arrest-20190221-story.html|title=Judge scolds Jussie Smollett over allegations he staged racist, anti-gay attack: 'Vile and despicable'|first1=Megan|last1=Crepeau|first2=Jason|last2=Meisner|first3=Jeremy|last3=Gorner|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 21, 2019|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref>


After the charges were dropped, allegations of favoritism and leniency were made against the prosecutor, ]. In June 2019, Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/us/jussie-smollett-how-we-got-here/index.html |first=Christina |last=Maxouris |publisher=CNN |title=Jussie Smollett's trial has started. This is how we got here |date=November 29, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-date=December 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202201646/https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/us/jussie-smollett-how-we-got-here/index.html }}</ref> On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor was completed, Smollett was indicted again by a ] ] on six counts of felony disorderly conduct about making four false police reports.<ref name="CNN20200211">{{cite news|last1=Meilhan|first1=Pierre|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/11/us/jussie-smollett-indictment/index.html|title=Jussie Smollett indicted by grand jury on six counts for making false reports, special prosecutor says|date=February 11, 2020|access-date=February 11, 2020|publisher=]|location=Atlanta, Georgia}}</ref><!--ref name=":0" /--><ref name="Indicted" /> On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haas|first=Mariah|date=June 12, 2020|title=Jussie Smollett's double jeopardy claim tossed out by judge|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-double-jeopardy-claim-tossed-out-judge|access-date=June 23, 2020|publisher=Fox News|language=en-US}}</ref> His trial began in November 2021, and on December 9 Smollett was found guilty of five of the six counts.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/jussie-smollett-trial-verdict-watch-12-09-21/index.html|title=Jussie Smollett found guilty of falsely reporting a hate crime |date=December 9, 2021 |first1=Melissa |last1=Mahtani |first2=Fernando III |last2=Alfonso |publisher=]}}</ref>
==Legal issues==
===2007 misdemeanor conviction for false name===
According to the ], Smollett ] to providing ] to law enforcement in a 2007 ] case resulting from a ] stop in which Smollett gave police a false name and signed his brother's name on the summons promising to appear in court.<ref name="Smollett charged" /><ref name="Gannett Company">{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/02/18/jussie-smollett-everything-we-know-case-police-chicago-investigation/2903410002/|title=Jussie Smollett case: FBI investigates whether actor had any role in threatening letter|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|language=en|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref> Smollett also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid ],<ref name="Smollett charged" /> and was sentenced to a fine and two years of probation.<ref name="Smollett charged">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html|title=Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Ryan|last2=Young|first3=Bill|last3=Kirkos|first4=Brad|last4=Parks|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 20, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref>


On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation. Smollett was also ordered to make restitution to the city of Chicago of just over $120,000 and fined $25,000.<ref name="wgn-2022-03-10">{{Cite web |date=March 10, 2022 |title=Jussie Smollett sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation |url=https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/jussie-smollett-to-face-sentencing-thursday/ |access-date=March 11, 2022 |publisher=WGN-TV |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hurley |first1=Bevan |title='I am not suicidal': Jussie Smollett shouts in courtroom as he is jailed for 150 days over hate crime hoax |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/crime/jussie-smollett-sentenced-hate-crime-chicago-b2032981.html |website=Independent |date=March 11, 2022 |access-date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> His lawyers filed a notice of appeal the following day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jussie Smollett's Attorneys File Emergency Motion Seeking Release From Jail |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/jussie-smolletts-attorneys-file-emergency-motion-seeking-release-from-jail/2781087/ |website=] |access-date=March 12, 2022 |date=March 11, 2022}}</ref> On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Smollett be released from jail, upon his posting of a $150,000 ] bond, pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction.<ref name=jimenez>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/16/us/jussie-smollett-released-bond/index.html|title=Jussie Smollett has been released from jail pending an appeal of his conviction|date=March 16, 2022|first1=Omar |last1=Jimenez |first2=Christina |last2=Maxouris|publisher=CNN |accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref><ref> (March 16, 2022). ''US News & World Report''. Retrieved May 31, 2022.</ref><ref name="Price">{{cite news |last=Price |first=Frances |url=https://urbanhollywood411.com/jussie-smollett-attends-bet-awards-2022/ |title=Jussie Smollett Makes Hollywood Return on BET Awards Red Carpet |work=Urban Hollywood 411 |date=June 26, 2022 |accessdate=June 27, 2022 }}</ref> On March 1, 2023, Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction in his hate crime hoax.<ref>{{cite news |last=Maddaus |first=Gene |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/jussie-smollett-appeal-filed-1235540270/ |title=Jussie Smollett Appeals 150-Day Jail Sentence in Hate Crime Hoax |work=] |date=March 2, 2023 |accessdate=March 3, 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/jussie-smollett-appeal.pdf |title=Appeal from the Circuit Court of Cook County, Criminal Division, Cook County, Illinois |publisher=Appellate Court of Illinois |date=March 1, 2023 |accessdate=April 7, 2013}}</ref> The court, on December 1, 2023, upheld the conviction.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Illinois appeals court affirms actor Jussie Smollett's convictions and jail sentence |url=https://apnews.com/article/jussie-smollett-illinois-appeal-3eaacedbf9b11cc97115ed37212adf29 |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Smollett's conviction holding that retrying Smollett after he had paid $10,000 and served community service in exchange for dismissal of all charges violated Smollett's constitutional ] rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Feurer |first=Todd |date=2024-11-21 |title=Actor Jussie Smollett's conviction overturned by Illinois Supreme Court - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/jussie-smollett-conviction-overturned-illinois-supreme-court/ |access-date=2024-11-21 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US}}</ref>
===2019 alleged assault ===

{{main|Jussie Smollett alleged assault}}
==Personal life==
On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was attacked outside his apartment building by two men in ]s who called him ] and ] slurs, and said "This is MAGA country", referencing President ]'s slogan "]"<ref name="CNN attack">{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/29/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html|title=''Empire'' star Jussie Smollett attacked in possible hate crime|first=Sandra|last=Gonzalez|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=January 29, 2019|accessdate=January 29, 2019}}</ref> and used their hands, feet, and teeth as weapons in the assault.<ref name="original_case_incident_report">{{cite news|title=Chicago Police Department Original Case Incident Report|url=https://dig.abclocal.go.com/wls/documents/020419-smollett-report-doc.pdf|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=January 29, 2019|accessdate=February 8, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Karma|last=Allen|title=Newly revealed report offers chilling details of alleged Jussie Smollett attack|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 4, 2019|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/newly-revealed-report-offers-chilling-details-alleged-jussie/story?id=60842410|accessdate=February 5, 2019}}</ref> According to a statement released by the ], the two suspects then "poured an unknown liquid" on Smollett and put a ] around his neck.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/jussie-smollett-empire-attack-gay-racial-homophobic-assault-chicago-a8752836.html|title=''Empire'' star Jussie Smollet assaulted in Chicago in suspected hate crime|first=Clémence|last=Michallon|work=]|publisher=Independent Print Limited|location=]|date=January 29, 2019|accessdate=January 30, 2019}}</ref> Smollett said that he fought them off. Smollett was treated at ]; not seriously injured, he was released "in good condition" later that morning.<ref name="CNN attack"/><ref name="Variety attack">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/jussie-smollett-empire-assaulted-chicago-1203122135/|title=''Empire'' Star Jussie Smollett Assaulted in Chicago in Suspected Hate Crime|last=Otterson|first=Joe|work=]|publisher=Variety Media, LLC. (])|location=]|date=January 29, 2019|accessdate=January 29, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a26077305/empire-jussie-smollett-hospitalized-hate-crime/|title=''Empire'' Actor Jussie Smollett Hospitalized Following Racist, Homophobic Attack|first=Nerisha|last=Penrose|date=January 29, 2019|accessdate=February 3, 2019|work=]|publisher=] and ]|location=United States|quote=he was treated and discharged early Tuesday morning}}</ref> The police were called after 2:30 am;<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-empire-persons-of-interest-20190130-story.html|title=Detectives piecing together 'digital puzzle' as they investigate report of attack on ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett|first1=Rosemary|last1=Sobol|first2=Tracy|last2=Swartz|first3=William|last3=Lee|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212629/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-empire-persons-of-interest-20190130-story.html|date=February 1, 2019|archivedate=February 2, 2019|accessdate=February 3, 2019|url-access=limited|postscript=. (URL not available in the ] or ].)}}</ref> when they arrived around 2:40 am, Smollett had a white rope around his neck.<ref name="Washington Post 2019-01-30">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/01/29/empire-actor-jussie-smollett-assaulted-chicago-potential-hate-crime/|title=Surveillance video shows two 'people of interest' in alleged assault against ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett, police say|first1=Travis M.|last1=Andrews|first2=Bethonie|last2=Butler|first3=Allyson|last3=Chiu|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=January 30, 2019|accessdate=February 3, 2019|quote=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.}}</ref> Smollett said that the attack may have been motivated by his criticism of the ]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Real|first1=Evan|last2=Lewis|first2=Hilary|title=Jussie Smollett Hits Back at Doubters as He Details Brutal Attack|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jussie-smollett-talks-attack-good-morning-america-1186312|accessdate=August 13, 2017|work=]|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Media Group (])|location=]|date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> and that he believed that the alleged assault was linked to the threatening letter that was sent to him earlier that month.<ref name="Gannett Company"/>
Smollett publicly ] as gay during a televised interview with ] in March 2015.<ref name=kick>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.out.com/entertainment/2016/1/28/exclusive-jussie-smollett-being-black-and-gay-hollywood |title=Jussie Smollett on How a Black Gay Man Can Save the World |first=Shana Naomi |last=Krochmal |magazine=] |date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/09/empires-jussie-smollett-comes-out-ellen |title=Empire's Jussie Smollett Comes Out to Ellen |work=] |first=Jerry |last=Portwood |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310080908/http://www.out.com/popnography/2015/3/09/empires-jussie-smollett-comes-out-ellen |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://time.com/3737304/empire-jussie-smollett-comes-out/ |title='Empire': Why Star Jussie Smollett's Coming-Out Matters |first=Daniel |last=D'Addario |magazine=] |date=March 9, 2015 |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150309235818/http://time.com/3737304/empire-jussie-smollett-comes-out/ |url-status=live}}</ref> 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 co-creator ] were trying to create a conversation about ] in the gay community. While Daniels and Smollett are gay, Daniels has stated that they occasionally want to have sex with women.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/57382/empire-fall-finale-post-mortem-lee-daniels-jussie-smollett-on-that-shocking-hook-up/ |title=Empire Sex Scandal: Lee Daniels and Jussie Smollett Defend That Shocking Hook-Up |first=Michael |last=Logan |work=] |date=December 2, 2015 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref>


In 2007, Smollett ] to three ] counts providing ] to law enforcement resulting from a ] stop in which he gave police a false name pretending to be his brother.<ref name="Smollett charged" /><ref name="Gannett Company">{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/02/18/jussie-smollett-everything-we-know-case-police-chicago-investigation/2903410002/ |title=Jussie Smollett case: FBI investigates whether actor had any role in threatening letter |work=] |access-date=February 21, 2019}}</ref> Smollett also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid ] and was sentenced to a fine and three years of probation.<ref name="Smollett charged">{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html |title=Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report |first1=Ray |last1=Sanchez |first2=Ryan |last2=Young |first3=Bill |last3=Kirkos |first4=Brad |last4=Parks |publisher=] |date=February 20, 2019|access-date=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/jussie-smollett-felony-false-report-1203142874/ |title=Jussie Smollett Faces Prison, Career Ruin if He Lied About Attack |last1=Maddaus |first1=Gene |last2=Lang |first2=Brent |work=] |date=February 19, 2019 |accessdate=October 17, 2022}}</ref>
On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a ] with a class 4 ] for ].<ref name="Sopan Deb">{{cite news|last=Deb|first=Sopan|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/20/arts/television/jussie-smollett-attack-suspect.html|title=Jussie Smollett Faces Felony Charge, Accused of Faking Own Assault|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 20, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Ray Sanchez">{{cite news|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Ryan|last2=Young|first3=Bill|last3=Kirkos|first4=Brad|last4=Parks|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/entertainment/jussie-smollett-attack/index.html|title=Actor Jussie Smollett charged with felony for allegedly filing a false police report|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 20, 2019|accessdate=February 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="IndictedMercuryNews">{{cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/02/20/jussie-smollett-goes-from-victim-to-suspect-in-alleged-hate-crime-attack-on-himself/amp/|title=Jussie Smollett goes from victim to suspect over alleged hate-crime attack|first=Cicero|last=Estrella|date=February 20, 2019|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|quote= 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.|accessdate= February 20, 2019 }}</ref> The next day, Smollett surrendered himself at the Chicago Police Department's Central Booking station.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-arrested-in-chicago-for-allegedly-staging-hate-crime-police/|title=Smollett dragged ‘Chicago’s reputation through the mud’: CPD Supt.Johnson|first1=Sam|last1=Charles|last2=Alice|first2=Yin|last=|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=February 21, 2019|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated that Smollett "is under arrest and in the custody of detectives".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://amp.www.complex.com/pop-culture/2019/02/jussie-smollett-arrest-chicago-police|title=Jussie Smollett Arrested by Chicago Police for 'Publicity Stunt' to Further His Career|first=Trace William|last=Cowen|magazine=]|publisher=Complex Media Group (])|location=]|date=February 21, 2019|accessdate=February 21, 2019}}</ref> On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped, with Judge Steven Watkins ordering the public court file ].<ref name="ChicagoTribune">{{cite news|last2=Buckley|first2=Madeline|last1=Crepeau|first1=Megan|title=Cook County prosecutors drop all charges against ''Empire'' actor Jussie Smollett|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-20190326-story.html|accessdate=March 26, 2019|work=]|publisher=]|date=March 26, 2019|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped/|title=Jussie Smollett Charges Dropped; ‘His Record Has Been Wiped Clean’|first=Charlie|last=De Mar|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=March 26, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref> 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 ]<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deanna Paul |title=Why prosecutors dismissed the charges against Jussie Smollett |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/03/27/why-prosecutors-dismissed-charges-against-jussie-smollett/ |accessdate=27 March 2019 |work=The Washington Post |date=27 March 2019 |quote=The prosecution required the actor to complete 16 hours of community service through the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based social justice organization}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-community-service-rainbow-push-jesse-jackson-charges-dropped/|title=Jussie Smollett's Community Service Was with Jesse Jackson's Org.|website=Tmz.com|accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4054261-charges-dropped-against-jussie-smollett-after-actor-forfeits-10000-bail-completes-16-hours-of-community-service/|title=Charges Dropped Against Jussie Smollett After Actor Forfeits $10,000 Bail, Completes 16 Hours Of Community Service|website=Chicago.cbslocal.com|accessdate=March 28, 2019}}</ref> and forfeiting his $10,000 ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/arts/television/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped.html|title=Jussie Smollett’s Charges Are Dropped, Angering Mayor and Police|last=Bosman|first=Julie|date=March 26, 2019|newspaper=]|publisher=]|location=]|last2=Deb|first2=Sopan|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Tyler">{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/jussie-smollett-wont-be-prosecuted-on-charges-he-faked-attack|title=Jussie Smollett won't be prosecuted on charges he faked attack|first=Tyler|last=McCarthy|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=March 26, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Madhani">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/03/26/jussie-smollett-charges-dropped-against-empire-star/3276106002/|title=Charges dropped against 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett|first=Aamer|last=Madhani|work=]|publisher=]|location=]|date=March 26, 2019|accessdate=March 26, 2019}}</ref> On March 27, 2019, it was announced that the ] would be investigating why the charges were dismissed.<ref name=fbiinvestigation/>


==Filmography== ==Filmography==
Line 80: Line 63:
|- |-
| 1992 | 1992
| '']'' | '']''
| Terry Hall | Terry Hall
| Nominated – ] | Nominated – ]
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|- |-
| rowspan="2" | 2014 | rowspan="2" | 2014
| '']'' | '']''
| Tariq | Tariq
| Direct-to-video | Direct-to-video
Line 106: Line 89:
| '']'' | '']''
| Nico Dempster | Nico Dempster
| |
|- |-
| 2016 | 2016
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| ] | ]
| |
|-
|2021
|'']''
|
|Director and writer
|-
|2024
|'']''
|Jason Holliday
|Director and co-writer (with Jerrell Chesney)
|} |}


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| '']'' | '']''
| ] | ]
| Series regular<br/>Nominated – ]<br/>Nominated – ]<br/>Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star<br/>Directed season 4, episode 16 | Series regular<br />Nominated – ]<br />Nominated – ]<br />Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star<br />Directed season 4, episode 16
|- |-
| 2016 | 2016
Line 182: Line 175:
| '']'' | '']''
| Himself | Himself
| Guest host, 6 episodes | Guest host, six episodes
|- |-
| 2017 | 2017
Line 193: Line 186:
| Himself | Himself
| Episode: "Whose History?" | Episode: "Whose History?"
|-
| 2023
| ''Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax''
| Himself
| 5-part docuseries, aired on ]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax Online {{!}} Stream Fox Nation |url=https://nation.foxnews.com/jussie-smollett-anatomy-of-a-hoax-nation/ |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=Watch Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax {{!}} Fox Nation |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brooke |date=March 1, 2023 |title='Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax' unravels actor's shocking downfall |url=https://nypost.com/2023/03/01/jussie-smollett-anatomy-of-a-hoax-unravels-actors-shocking-downfall/ |access-date=April 2, 2023 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref>
|} |}


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| ] | ]
| ] | ]
| '']'' | '']''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
|- |-
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|- |-
| rowspan="4" | 2016 | rowspan="4" | 2016
| rowspan="5" | ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-nominees-862135/item/recording-2016-naacp-image-award-862133 |title=Recording – ''Creed'', ''Empire'' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List |work=] |date=February 4, 2016 }}</ref> | rowspan="4" | ]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-naacp-image-award-nominees-862135/item/recording-2016-naacp-image-award-862133 |title=Recording – ''Creed'', ''Empire'' Top NAACP Image Award Nominations; Full List |work=] |date=February 4, 2016 }}</ref>
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
| ''Empire'' | rowspan="4" | '']''
| {{nom}} | {{nom}}
|- |-
| Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration | Outstanding New Artist
| rowspan="2" | "You're So Beautiful"
| {{Won}}
|-
| Outstanding Song
| {{won}} | {{won}}
|- |-
| Outstanding New Artist | Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
| rowspan="2"| Jussie Smollett
| {{won}} | {{won}}
|- |-
| Outstanding Song (Contemporary)
| rowspan="2" | 2017
| ]
| {{won}} | {{won}}
|-
| ]
| ]
| ''Empire''
| {{nom}}
|} |}


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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and details |+ List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and details
|-
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:13em;"| Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details
! scope="col" style="width:6em;"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" style="width:6em;"| Peak chart positions
|- |-
! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| ]<br/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history/heatseekers-albums|title=Jussie Smollett Chart History|work=Billboard|access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| ]<br /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jussie-smollett/chart-history/tln/ |title=Jussie Smollett Chart History |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>
|- |-
! scope="row"|''Sum of My Music'' ! scope="row"|''Sum of My Music''
| |
* Released: March 2, 2018<ref>{{Citation|title=Sum of My Music by Jussie Smollett|date=March 2, 2018|url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/sum-of-my-music/1352615174|language=en-AU|access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref> * Released: March 2, 2018<ref>{{citation |title=Sum of My Music by Jussie Smollett |date=March 2, 2018 |url=https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/sum-of-my-music/1352615174 |access-date=October 29, 2018}}</ref>
* Label: Music of Sound/Human Re Sources * Label: Music of Sound/Human Re Sources
* Format: Digital download * Format: Digital download
| 22 | 22
|-
| colspan="3" style="font-size:85%;" |"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart.
|} |}


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|- |-


! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/empire-cast/chart-history/hot-100|title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot 100)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history|title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot 100)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/empire-cast/chart-history/hsi/ |title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot 100) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history |title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot 100) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/empire-cast/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs|title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)|magazine=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/empire-cast/chart-history/bsi/ |title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jussie-smollett/chart-history/bsi/ |title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs) |magazine=] |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/empire-cast/chart-history/r-and-b-songs|title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B Songs)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history/r-and-b-songs|title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B Songs)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/empire-cast/chart-history/bst/ |title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B Songs) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jussie-smollett/chart-history/bst/ |title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Hot R&B Songs) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/empire-cast/chart-history/hot-adult-r-and-b-airplay|title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/jussie-smollett/chart-history/hot-adult-r-and-b-airplay|title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Adult R&B Songs)|publisher=]|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/empire-cast/chart-history/rba/ |title=Empire Cast – Chart history – Billboard (Adult R&B Songs) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/jussie-smollett/chart-history/rba/ |title=Jussie Smollett – Chart history – Billboard (Adult R&B Songs) |magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett|title=lescharts.com – Discographie Jussie Smollett|first=Steffen|last=Hung|publisher=]|accessdate=March 18, 2017}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett |title=lescharts.com – Discographie Jussie Smollett |first=Steffen |last=Hung |publisher=] |access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-357657|title=Suche – Offizielle Deutsche Charts (Search: Jussie Smollett)|publisher=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-357657 |title=Suche – Offizielle Deutsche Charts (Search: Jussie Smollett) |publisher=] |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett|title=Discographie Jussie Smollett|website=Hitparade.ch|first=Steffen|last=Hung}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hitparade.ch/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett |title=Discographie Jussie Smollett |website=Hitparade.ch |first=Steffen |last=Hung}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett|title=Discographie Jussie Smollett |website=Austriancharts.at|first=Steffen|last=Hung}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://austriancharts.at/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Jussie%20Smollett|title=Discographie Jussie Smollett |website=Austriancharts.at |first=Steffen |last=Hung}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://acharts.co/song/91261|title=Conqueror by Empire Cast featuring Estelle and Jussie Smollett – Music Charts|website=Acharts.co|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://acharts.co/song/91261 |title=Conqueror by Empire Cast featuring Estelle and Jussie Smollett – Music Charts |website=Acharts.co |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://acharts.co/song/91585|title=Good Enough by Empire Cast and Jussie Smollett – Music Charts|website=Acharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://acharts.co/song/94740|title=Ain't About The Money by Empire Cast featuring Jussie Smollett and Yazz – Music Charts|website=Acharts.co|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;" | ]<br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://acharts.co/song/91585 |title=Good Enough by Empire Cast and Jussie Smollett – Music Charts |website=Acharts.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://acharts.co/song/94740 |title=Ain't About The Money by Empire Cast featuring Jussie Smollett and Yazz – Music Charts |website=Acharts.co |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Good Enough" ! scope="row"| "Good Enough"
| rowspan="11" |2015 | rowspan="11" |2015
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Good Enough" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Good Enough" did not enter the ''Billboard''
Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f=ts_chart_artistname%3Ajussie%20smollett&f=itm_field_chart_id%3ABubbling%20Under%20Hot%20100&f=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=jussie%20smollett|title=Chart Search (Jussie Smollett: Bubbling Under Hot 100|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref>}} || 33 || 13 || — || 60 || 25 || 55 || 54 || 2 || 40 Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 6 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f=ts_chart_artistname%3Ajussie%20smollett&f=itm_field_chart_id%3ABubbling%20Under%20Hot%20100&f=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=jussie%20smollett |title=Chart Search (Jussie Smollett: Bubbling Under Hot 100 |magazine=] |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>}} || 33 || 13 || — || 60 || 25 || 55 || 54 || 2 || 40
| |
* US: 83,000<ref name="sales">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-isnt-empires-music-topping-777500|title=Why Isn't 'Empire's' Music Topping the Billboard Charts?|work=]|date=February 25, 2015|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref> * US: 83,000<ref name="sales">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/why-isnt-empires-music-topping-777500 |title=Why Isn't 'Empire's' Music Topping the Billboard Charts? |work=] |date=February 25, 2015 |access-date=November 15, 2018}}</ref>
| rowspan="8" |'']'' | rowspan="8" |'']''
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Keep Your Money" ! scope="row"| "Keep Your Money"
| 99 || 32 || 13 || — || 181 || 91 || — || — || — || — | 99 || 32 || 13 || — || 181 || 91 || — || — || — || —
| |
* US: 54,000<ref name="sales"/> * US: 54,000<ref name="sales"/>
|- |-
! scope="row"| "No Apologies"<br/><small>(featuring ])</small> ! scope="row"| "No Apologies"<br /><small>(featuring ])</small>
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"No Apologies" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"No Apologies" did not enter the ''Billboard''
Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || 44 || — || — || 195 || — || — || — || — || — Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 23 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || 44 || — || — || 195 || — || — || — || — || —
| |
* US: 53,000<ref name="sales"/> * US: 53,000<ref name="sales"/>
|- |-
! scope="row"| "I Wanna Love You"</small> ! scope="row"| "I Wanna Love You"
| — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"I Wanna Love You" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"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.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH">{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f=ts_chart_artistname%3Ajussie%20smollett&f=itm_field_chart_id%3ABubbling%20Under%20R%26b/hip-hop%20Songs&f=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=jussie%20smollett|title=Chart Search (Jussie Smollett: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|work=]|accessdate=November 15, 2018}}</ref>}} || 21 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 7 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname%3Ajussie%20smollett&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id%3ABubbling%20Under%20R%26b/hip-hop%20Songs&f%5B2%5D=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=jussie%20smollett|title=Chart Search (Jussie Smollett: Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|magazine=]|access-date=November 15, 2018}} {{dead link|date=December 2021}}</ref>}} || 21 || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
|- |-
! scope="row"| "]"<br/><small>(featuring Yazz)</small> ! scope="row"| "]"<br /><small>(featuring Yazz)</small>
| — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Money For Nothing" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"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.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}} || 23 || — || — || 94 || — || — || — || — Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 9 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}} || 23 || — || — || 94 || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "You're so Beautiful"<br/><small>(featuring Yazz)</small> ! scope="row"| "You're so Beautiful"<br /><small>(featuring Yazz)</small>
| 47 || 18 || 10 || — || 79 || 42 || — || — || — || — | 47 || 18 || 10 || — || 79 || 42 || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "]"<br/><small>(featuring ])</small> ! scope="row"| "]"<br /><small>(featuring ])</small>
| 42 || 15 || 8 || 15 || 157 || 87 || — || — || — || — | 42 || 15 || 8 || 15 || 157 || 87 || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Nothing To Lose" ! scope="row"| "Nothing To Lose"
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Nothing To Lose" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Nothing To Lose" did not enter the ''Billboard''
Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || — || 15 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || — || 15 || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Powerful"<br/><small>(featuring ])</small> ! scope="row"| "Powerful"<br /><small>(featuring ])</small>
| —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Powerful" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Powerful" did not enter the ''Billboard''
Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || 36 || 10 || — || 152 || — || — || — || — || — Hot 100 chart, but peaked at number 12 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.<ref name="BubblingHot100"/>}} || 36 || 10 || — || 152 || — || — || — || — || —
| |
| rowspan="3"|'']'' | rowspan="3"|'']''
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Ain't About the Money"<br/><small>(featuring Yazz)</small> ! scope="row"| "Ain't About the Money"<br /><small>(featuring Yazz)</small>
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 39 | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || 39
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "No Doubt About it"<br/><small>(featuring ])</small> ! scope="row"| "No Doubt About it"<br /><small>(featuring ])</small>
| — || — || 18 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | — || — || 18 || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Chasing the Sky"<br/><small>(featuring ] & Yazz)</small> ! scope="row"| "Chasing the Sky"<br /><small>(featuring ] & Yazz)</small>
| rowspan="3" | 2016 | rowspan="3" | 2016
| — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Chasing the Sky" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"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.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}}|| 24 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 2 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}}|| 24 || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
| rowspan="2" |'']'' | rowspan="2" |'']''
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Good People"<br/><small>(featuring Yazz)</small> ! scope="row"| "Good People"<br /><small>(featuring Yazz)</small>
| — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"Good People" did not enter the ''Billboard'' | — || —{{efn|group=upper-alpha|"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.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}} || 20 || — || — || — || — || — || — || — Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but peaked at number 3 on the Bubbling Under Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.<ref name="BubblingR&B/HH"/>}} || 20 || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
Line 401: Line 385:
! scope="row"| "Freedom" ! scope="row"| "Freedom"
| rowspan="4"| 2018 | rowspan="4"| 2018
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
| rowspan="4"| ''Sum of My Music'' | rowspan="4"| ''Sum of My Music''
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Catch Your Eye"<br/>{{small|(featuring ])}} ! scope="row"| "Catch Your Eye"<br />{{small|(featuring ])}}
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Hurt People" ! scope="row"| "Hurt People"
| — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — | — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|- |-
! scope="row"| "Ha Ha (I Love You)" ! scope="row"| "Ha Ha (I Love You)"
| — || — || — || 19 || — || — || — || — || — || — | — || — || — || 19 || — || — || — || — || — || —
| |
|} |}
Line 425: Line 409:


==External links== ==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q6315685|c=category:Jussie Smollett|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|species=no|wikt=no}}
{{Commons category|Jussie Smollett}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb name}} * {{IMDb name}}

{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Jussie Smollett
|list =
{{NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo or Group}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series}}
}}


{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|California|Illinois|Chicago|Film|Television|Music}} {{Portal bar|Biography|United States|California|Illinois|Chicago|Film|Television|Music}}

{{authority control}} {{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Smollett, Jussie}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Smollett, Jussie}}
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Latest revision as of 18:31, 9 January 2025

American actor (born 1982)

Jussie Smollett
Smollett at the 2016 PaleyFest
Born (1982-06-21) June 21, 1982 (age 42)
Santa Rosa, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
Years active1991–1995; 2009–present
RelativesJurnee Smollett (sister)
Jake Smollett (brother)

Jussie Smollett (/ˈdʒʌsi sməlˈɛt/, born June 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1991 debuting in The Mighty Ducks (1992). From 2015 to 2019, Smollett portrayed musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire.

In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, but police later determined he staged the attack with two acquaintances. Initially charged with filing a false police report, charges were dropped after Smollett completed community service and forfeited $10,000. In 2020, a special prosecutor re-indicted him and Smollett was convicted on five counts in December 2021. Sentenced to jail in March 2022, which was upheld on appeal in 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court later reversed the conviction in 2024 on the basis that Smollett had fulfilled the plea agreement made in 2019.

Early life

Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, to Joel and Janet (née Harris) Smollett. He has three brothers and two sisters: Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz, several of whom are also actors. Smollett is biracial and Jewish. His mother is African-American, and his father is Jewish. 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. The family moved to the Elmhurst neighborhood of the New York City borough of Queens when he was two years old, then to Los Angeles when he was about seven. Smollett graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. When he was 19, Smollett told his parents he was gay.

Career

Smollett talking in a 2018 interview on Sister Circle

Smollett began his acting career as a child model in New York City and later worked as an extra on the New York-shot movies Mo' Better Blues (1990) and New Jack City (1991) He went on to act 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 in 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 struggling to gain the approval of his father Lucious—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. Smollett's character was removed from the final two episodes of season five because of the assault controversy.

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 in Underground, which aired in 2016. Smollett released his debut album, Sum of My Music, in March 2018. 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, Fox Entertainment announced that though Smollett's contract had been extended for the sixth season of Empire, there were no plans for his character to appear during it.

Smollett directed B-Boy Blues, a movie based on the 1994 black gay novel by James Earl Hardy. The movie was released in November 2021.

2019 hate crime hoax

Main article: Jussie Smollett hate crime hoax

On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was physically attacked outside his apartment building along with the use of racial and homophobic slurs. Smollett was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and was released "in good condition" later that morning. A subsequent police investigation found that Smollett paid two work acquaintances, who were also brothers, to stage the assault.

On February 20, 2019, Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report. On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Smollett were dropped. 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 April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Smollett for the costs, totaling $130,105.15, of overtime authorities expended investigating the hoax. In November 2019, Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and arguing he should not be made to reimburse the city for the cost of the investigation.

After the charges were dropped, allegations of favoritism and leniency were made against the prosecutor, Kim Foxx. In June 2019, Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator. On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor was completed, Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct about making four false police reports. On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy. His trial began in November 2021, and on December 9 Smollett was found guilty of five of the six counts.

On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation. Smollett was also ordered to make restitution to the city of Chicago of just over $120,000 and fined $25,000. His lawyers filed a notice of appeal the following day. On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Smollett be released from jail, upon his posting of a $150,000 personal recognizance bond, pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction. On March 1, 2023, Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction in his hate crime hoax. The court, on December 1, 2023, upheld the conviction. On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Smollett's conviction holding that retrying Smollett after he had paid $10,000 and served community service in exchange for dismissal of all charges violated Smollett's constitutional due process rights.

Personal life

Smollett publicly came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres in March 2015. 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 co-creator Lee Daniels were trying to create a conversation about sexual fluidity in the gay community. While Daniels and Smollett are gay, Daniels has stated that they occasionally want to have sex with women.

In 2007, Smollett pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts providing false information to law enforcement resulting from a DUI stop in which he gave police a false name pretending to be his brother. 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 three years of probation.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1992 The Mighty Ducks Terry Hall Nominated – Young Artist Award for Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
1994 North Adam
2009 Pitch This Mike Short film
2012 The Skinny Magnus
2014 Born to Race: Fast Track Tariq Direct-to-video
Ask Me Anything Nico Dempster
2016 The Tale of Four John Short film
2017 Alien: Covenant – Prologue: Last Supper Ricks Short film
Alien: Covenant
Marshall Langston Hughes
2021 B-Boy Blues Director and writer
2024 The Lost Holliday Jason Holliday Director and co-writer (with Jerrell Chesney)

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1991 A Little Piece of Heaven Salem Bordeaux Television film
1993 Alex Haley's Queen Simon Miniseries
1993 Coach Billy Episode: "Piece o' Cake"
1993–1994 Cro Mike Voice, 20 episodes
1994–1995 On Our Own Jesse Jerrico Series regular, 20 episodes
2012 The Mindy Project Barry Stassen Episode: "Josh and Mindy's Christmas Party"
2014 Revenge Jamie Episode: "Ashes"
2015–2019 Empire Jamal Lyon Series regular
Nominated – BET Award for Best Actor
Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Drama
Nominated – Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star
Directed season 4, episode 16
2016 Underground Josey 2 episodes
2016 Live! with Kelly Himself Guest host, six episodes
2017 Star Jamal Lyon Episode: "The Winner Takes it All"
2018 America Divided Himself Episode: "Whose History?"
2023 Jussie Smollett: Anatomy of a Hoax Himself 5-part docuseries, aired on Fox Nation

Music videos

Year Artist Title
2015 Mariah Carey "Infinity"
2016 Jussie Smollett "F.U.W."

Awards and nominations

Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
1993 Young Artist Award Outstanding Young Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture The Mighty Ducks Nominated
2015 BET Awards Best Actor Empire Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor Drama Nominated
Choice TV: Breakout Star Nominated
Choice TV: Chemistry Nominated
Choice Music: Song from a Movie or TV Show "You're So Beautiful" Nominated
2016 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Empire Nominated
Outstanding New Artist Won
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration Won
Outstanding Song (Contemporary) Won

Discography

Albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and details
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
Heat.

Sum of My Music
  • Released: March 2, 2018
  • Label: Music of Sound/Human Re Sources
  • Format: Digital download
22

Extended plays

Year EP details
2012 Poisoned Hearts Club
  • Released: March 9, 2012
  • Label: Wired Music Media
  • Format: Digital download

Singles

Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Album
US
US
R&B
/HH

US
R&B

US
Adult
R&B

FRA
GER
SWI
AUT
POR
BUL
"Good Enough" 2015 33 13 60 25 55 54 2 40
  • US: 83,000
Empire: Original Soundtrack from Season 1
"Keep Your Money" 99 32 13 181 91
  • US: 54,000
"No Apologies"
(featuring Yazz)
44 195
  • US: 53,000
"I Wanna Love You" 21
"Money For Nothing"
(featuring Yazz)
23 94
"You're so Beautiful"
(featuring Yazz)
47 18 10 79 42
"Conqueror"
(featuring Estelle)
42 15 8 15 157 87
"Nothing To Lose" 15
"Powerful"
(featuring Alicia Keys)
36 10 152 Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 1
"Ain't About the Money"
(featuring Yazz)
39
"No Doubt About it"
(featuring Pitbull)
18
"Chasing the Sky"
(featuring Terrence Howard & Yazz)
2016 24 Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 2 Volume 2
"Good People"
(featuring Yazz)
20
"Need Freedom" 30 Empire: Original Soundtrack Season 3
"Freedom" 2018 Sum of My Music
"Catch Your Eye"
(featuring Swizz Beatz)
"Hurt People"
"Ha Ha (I Love You)" 19

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

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External links

Awards for Jussie Smollett
NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
Duo or Group
(1979–2007)
Duo, Group or
Collaboration
(2008–2019)
Contemporary
(2020–present)
Traditional
(2020–present)
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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