Jussie Smollett (born June 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer, debuting as a child in The Mighty Ducks (1992) and starring in Empire (2015–2019) as Jamal Lyon. In 2019, Smollett claimed to be a hate crime victim, but police determined he staged the incident.
He faced charges, completed community service, and forfeited $10,000. Re-indicted in 2020, Smollett was convicted in 2021 and jailed in 2022. In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed the conviction, citing his fulfilled 2019 plea agreement.
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Table of Contents
Jussie Smollett Net Worth
Jussie Smollett has a net worth of $300,000. He was charged in 2019 for staging a hate crime with two extras from Empire, paying them $3,500. Initially cleared of charges, he was later indicted on six counts by a Cook County grand jury. Fox paid him not to appear in Empire’s sixth season.
In 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months’ probation, and $120,106 restitution. Released on bond after six days, his lawyers appealed the conviction, maintaining his innocence throughout.
Early life
Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, to Joel and Janet Smollett. He has three brothers (Jake, Jocqui, Jojo) and two sisters (Jurnee, Jazz), many of whom are actors. Biracial and Jewish, his mother is African-American, and his father is Jewish. Smollett’s father was absent for much of his childhood.
The family lived in Queens, New York, before moving to Los Angeles when he was seven. A graduate of Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey, Smollett came out as gay at age 19.
Career
Jussie Smollett began as a child model in New York City before acting in films like “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990) and “The Mighty Ducks” (1992). He starred with his siblings in “On Our Own” (1994–1995) but returned in 2012 with “The Skinny.” Smollett gained fame as Jamal Lyon in “Empire” (2015–2019), co-starring with Taraji P. Henson.
He also appeared in “Alien: Covenant” (2017) and pursued music, releasing “Sum of My Music” (2018) and co-writing songs for “Empire.”
Personal Life
Jussie Smollett came out as gay during a 2015 interview with Ellen DeGeneres. When his Empire character had a relationship with a woman, Smollett defended the plot, stating he and co-creator Lee Daniels wanted to explore sexual fluidity in the gay community.
In 2007, Smollett pleaded no contest to providing false information to police during a DUI stop, where he used his brother’s name. He also pleaded no contest to DUI and driving without a license, receiving a fine and three years’ probation.
What happened to Jamal from Empire?
In 2019, Jussie Smollett was fired from Empire after staging a fake hate crime. His character, Jamal Lyon, was written out of the show’s final season, with the storyline stating he was living in London.
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Conclusion
Jussie Smollett’s career, marked by early success and later controversies, serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of fame. His journey reflects the challenges faced by public figures in balancing personal authenticity with the expectations of the public and the entertainment industry. Despite his achievements, Smollett’s legacy will likely be defined by the controversy that overshadowed his career.
FAQs about Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth
- What is Jussie Smollett’s net worth? – Approximately $17 million, though this may be impacted by his recent legal issues.
- How did Jussie Smollett begin his career? – He started as a child actor in films like “The Mighty Ducks” and later gained fame on “Empire.”
- What legal troubles has Jussie Smollett faced? – He was convicted for staging a fake hate crime against himself and making false police reports.
- Is Jussie Smollett currently active in the entertainment industry? – His acting career has stalled, but he has announced a directorial debut.
- What impact did Jussie Smollett’s controversy have on his career? – It led to significant professional setbacks and negatively affected his public image.
