Jussie Smollett
An actor whose career on the hit series 'Empire' was eclipsed by a highly publicized and controversial criminal case that polarized public opinion.
Born 1982 (age 44)·American actor·Birthday: June 21·Millennials
Biography
Jussie Smollett's narrative is a complex tapestry of early promise, mainstream success, and a dramatic fall from grace. A child actor who appeared in films like 'The Mighty Ducks,' he found his defining role decades later as the talented and sensitive Jamal Lyon on Fox's musical drama 'Empire,' a performance praised for its nuance. In 2019, his story took a shocking turn when he reported being the victim of a racist and homophobic attack in Chicago. The subsequent police investigation concluded he had staged the incident, leading to a legal saga involving charges, their dismissal, a reinstatement, and a eventual conviction for felony disorderly conduct. The case became a national flashpoint, intertwining issues of race, sexuality, celebrity, and justice, leaving his professional legacy and public image profoundly altered.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jussie was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jussie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jussie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama 'Empire' for five seasons, earning a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2017.
- Released his debut studio album, 'Sum of My Music,' in 2018, which he promoted while still starring on 'Empire'.
- Directed and starred in the indie film 'The Skinny' in 2012, which he also wrote and produced.
Did You Know?
He and his five siblings formed the R&B group 'Smollett' in the 1990s and released an album.
He is a vegan and has been an advocate for animal rights.
He made his Broadway debut at the age of nine in 'The Tap Dance Kid.'
“I'm focused on my art and telling stories that need to be told.”
