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Jussie SmollettAmerican actor and singer
Date of Birth: 21.06.1983
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Career
Jussie Langston Mikha Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, on June 21, 1982. The third of six children born to Janet Harris and Joel Smollett, he has three brothers (Jake, Jocqui, and Jojo) and two sisters (Jazz and Jurnee). His father is Jewish, with ancestry from Russia and Poland, while his mother is African American. Growing up, Smollett attended Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. His acting career began in childhood, when he starred in the 1992 comedy film "The Mighty Ducks" and Rob Reiner's 1994 fantasy film "North." Along with his five siblings, Smollett also appeared in the short-lived sitcom "On Our Own" from 1994 to 1995.
Return to Acting and "Empire"
After a hiatus from acting, Smollett returned to the industry in 2012, landing a lead role in Patrick-Ian Polk's LGBT-themed dramedy "The Skinny." That same year, he released a mini-album entitled "The Poisoned Hearts Club." He later guest-starred in the television series "The Mindy Project" and "Revenge." In 2014, Smollett broke out as Jamal Lyon, a gay musician struggling for acceptance from his father, in Fox's musical drama series "Empire," starring Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Smollett's character was hailed as a "breakthrough" for its positive portrayal of a black gay man on television. "Homophobia is real as hell and it's something so many people deal with," Smollett said. "That translates to so many...kids and young people who are questioning their sexuality or coming to the realization. And if they can see themselves in Jamal, that's an incredible thing." Writer Gerrick Kennedy, reflecting on Jamal's mistreatment by other characters, stated, "Early in the series, Jamal endures a hazing so vicious it's almost unbearable to watch. Recounting a childhood anecdote, Jamal recalls how his father, Lucious, stuck him in a garbage can as punishment for prancing around in high heels and a scarf. The scenes are horrifying, painful to sit through—and essential viewing." In February 2015, Smollett confirmed that he had signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and was working on an album. He co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful," which were featured on the first season soundtrack of "Empire" and released in March 2015. In June 2015, it was announced that Smollett, alongside his younger sister Jurnee, would guest-star on the WGN America series "Underground," about a group of escaped slaves on the run from a plantation.
Expanding Career and Activism
Expanding the scope of his popularity, Smollett played Ricks in the 2017 science fiction horror film "Alien: Covenant" and Langston Hughes in the drama "Marshall." In an interview on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in March 2015, he came out as gay. Elaborating on his sexual orientation in an interview with Out magazine in 2016, Smollett stated, "If I had to label myself, I would label myself as a gay man." However, he emphasized that he is more open to experiencing love than to a particular gender, and that it was possible for him to fall in love with a woman. In his childhood, he had romantic interests in girls. Smollett defended a storyline on "Empire" in which his character, Jamal Lyon, went on a date with a woman. He explained that he and the show's creator, Lee Daniels, were trying to open up the conversation about sexual fluidity within the gay community. "Jussie and I have the same feelings about this, which is that we, as human beings, are sexual beings, and although we identify as gay, sometimes we want to sleep with women," Daniels said. The "Empire" creator added that he was reflecting his own fluidity and Smollett's fluidity in his storytelling. In the same Out interview, Smollett also noted that he had been discouraged by two executives of "Empire" from traveling to Washington, D.C., to lobby on issues of police brutality. "'Maybe you want to wait a little bit with this?'" he was told. The actor was also led to believe that mixing politics with his professional life could harm his career. But Smollett was steadfast. He bought a ticket to Washington, where he helped introduce a package of social justice bills to Congress. "People advised me against it," Smollett recalled. "But I felt like if I lost my career over this, then that's not the kind of career I want."
Attack in 2019
On January 29, 2019, Smollett was the victim of a hate crime in Chicago. According to the Chicago Police Department, two men approached Smollett at approximately 2 a.m. as he was leaving a fast-food restaurant and began hurling racial and homophobic slurs at him. The two men—described as white, wearing dark clothing and ski masks—poured an unknown chemical substance on Smollett and put a noose around his neck, according to a statement released by the Chicago Police Department. The actor reported that he fought back against his attackers. He later recalled that the men had shouted the phrase "Make America Great Again." After the attack, Smollett walked himself to a hospital, where his deep facial cuts were treated. He did not stay overnight and was released "in good condition." "Detectives are currently reviewing video footage, identifying potential witnesses, and following up on investigative leads," police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi stated.
