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Entertainment • Actor

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker best known for portraying Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama series *Empire* from 2015 to 2019.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jussie Smollett is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker best known for portraying Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama series *Empire* from 2015 to 2019. He began acting as a child and appeared in films including *The Mighty Ducks* and *North*. His career has also been shaped by a widely publicized 2019 hate-crime allegation and the resulting legal proceedings.

Early life and acting career

Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, and began acting as a child. Early screen credits cited in major biographies include *The Mighty Ducks* and *North*.

Breakthrough with *Empire*

His best-known role is Jamal Lyon on *Empire*, which made him widely recognized after the series premiered in 2015. He also became associated with music during this period.

Music and filmmaking

Smollett has recorded music and released the EP *Poisoned Hearts Club*. He later expanded into filmmaking, including directing *B-Boy Blues*.

In 2019, Smollett reported being the victim of a hate crime in Chicago, and the case led to criminal charges and extensive media coverage. Later court developments and reversals produced conflicting public narratives about the outcome.

Key facts

  • Smollett began his career as a child actor in the early 1990s.
  • He is best known for playing Jamal Lyon on *Empire*.
  • He also released music, including the EP *Poisoned Hearts Club* in 2012.
  • He made his directorial debut with *B-Boy Blues* in 2021.
  • His 2019 hate-crime allegation led to major public attention and legal proceedings.
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Canadian context

Smollett’s work, especially *Empire* and later documentary coverage of his legal case, has reached Canadian audiences through television, streaming, and entertainment news coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Jussie Smollett?
Jussie Smollett is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker best known for playing Jamal Lyon on *Empire*.
What is Jussie Smollett best known for?
He is best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the television series *Empire*.
When was Jussie Smollett born?
Sources conflict on whether he was born on June 21, 1982 or June 21, 1983.
What films or shows did he appear in early in his career?
Early credits commonly cited include *The Mighty Ducks* and *North*, followed later by *Empire*.
Did Jussie Smollett make music?
Yes. He also worked as a singer and released the EP *Poisoned Hearts Club* in 2012.
Has he worked as a director?
Yes. He made his directorial debut with *B-Boy Blues* in 2021.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jussie_Smollett
    Supports: Basic biography, career overview, *Empire* role, and birth date reported as June 21, 1982.
  2. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actor/jussie-smollett
    Supports: Early acting career, *The Mighty Ducks*, *North*, *On Our Own*, and birth date reported as June 21, 1983.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810620/
    Supports: Acting and producing credits including *Empire*, *The Mighty Ducks*, and *B-Boy Blues*.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-47317701
    Supports: Summary of the hate-crime case, conviction, sentencing, and later reversal.
  5. Netflix Tudum — https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/the-truth-about-jussie-smollett-release-date-news
    Supports: Overview of the 2019 allegation, later legal developments, and filmmaking credits including *B-Boy Blues* and *The Lost Holliday*.