- published: 05 May 2016
- views: 5216206
Jussie Langston Mikha Smollett (born June 21, 1983) is an American actor, singer and photographer. As a child, he began his acting career for summer fun in 1987 starring in national network commercials in NYC. He later co-starred in the films The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner's North (1994). In 2015, Smollett received rave reviews for his portrayal of musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox music-industry primetime TV drama Empire.
Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California and is the son of Janet and Joel Smollett. He has three brothers and two sisters: Jake, Jocqui, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jazz. His father was Jewish (his family emigrated from Russia and Poland). His mother is African-American
Smollett began his acting career as a child, co-starring in the films The Mighty Ducks (1992) and Rob Reiner's North (1994). On television, he starred alongside his five real-life siblings in the short-lived ABC sitcom On Our Own from 1994–95.
In 2012, Smollett returned to acting with the leading role in the LGBT-themed comedy-drama The Skinny. He later guest-starred on The Mindy Project and Revenge. In 2014, Smollett was cast as Jamal Lyon—a gay musician who struggles to gain his father's approval—opposite Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard in the Fox primetime soap opera Empire.
Empire Cast - Chasing The Sky ft. Terrence Howard, Jussie Smollett, Yazz
Empire Cast - Powerful (feat. Jussie Smollett and Alicia Keys)
Empire Cast - Good Enough (feat. Jussie Smollett)
Jussie Smollett Talks 'Empire,' Family And Activism
Jussie Smollett Interview | Rachael Ray Show 2016 May 04
Empire Cast - Like My Daddy (Audio) ft. Jussie Smollett
Empire Cast - No Doubt About It (feat. Jussie Smollett and Pitbull) [Official Video]
Empire Cast - Good People (Audio) ft. Jussie Smollett, Yazz
Jussie Smollett Performs 'Good Enough'
Empire's Jussie Smollett On What Goes Down in His DM's, Not Rushing His Album + Dealing with Fame