Jussie Smollett born June 21, 1982, is an American actor and singer. He began his career as a child actor in 1991, acting in films such as The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner’s North (1994).

Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California,the son of 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.

Why is Jussie Smollett Sentenced to Jail: How Long Will Jussie Smollett Be in Prison?

On January 29, 2019, Smollett told police that he was attacked outside his apartment building by two men in ski masks. He reported they talked to him using racial and homophobic slurs.

On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail, to begin immediately, as well as two and a half years on 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

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, 6 episodes
2017 Star Jamal Lyon Episode: “The Winner Takes it All”
2018 America Divided Himself Episode: “Whose History?”

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