For many, Jussie Smollett is the actor whose name became a flashpoint in a national conversation about hate crimes and media hoaxes, yet his career stretches far beyond that single night – from child acting in The Mighty Ducks to starring in Empire. This article traces where Smollett stands now, what his former co-star Terrence Howard has said in his defense, and how the legal saga reshaped his public life.
Born: June 21, 1982 · Profession: Actor, filmmaker, singer · Known role: Jamal Lyon on Empire (2015–2020) · Legal case: Accused of staging a hate‑crime hoax in 2019 · Documentary: The Truth About Jussie Smollett (Netflix, 2025)
Quick snapshot
- Born June 21, 1982 in Santa Rosa, California (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform))
- Played Jamal Lyon on Empire from 2015 to 2020 (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade))
- Convicted of disorderly conduct in 2021; conviction overturned on appeal in 2023 (TODAY (national news outlet))
- Exact Empire salary not publicly confirmed (Fox Business (business news outlet))
- Current net worth unverified (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
- Marital status and partner not publicly confirmed (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
- Future mainstream acting prospects unknown (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
- January 2019 – Smollett reported a hate‑crime attack in Chicago (TODAY (national news outlet))
- 2025 – Netflix documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett released (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform))
- Documentary may reignite public conversation (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
- No announced acting projects; future career direction unclear (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine))
The facts below draw on seven publicly recorded data points about Smollett’s identity, career, and legal status.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jussie Smollett |
| Date of Birth | June 21, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Santa Rosa, California |
| Profession | Actor, filmmaker, singer |
| Known For | Empire (2015–2020) |
| Notable Co‑star | Terrence Howard |
| Legal Status | Conviction overturned 2023 |
What does Jussie Smollett do for a living now?
Jussie Smollett’s recent acting credits
- Smollett directed and starred in the 2021 film B‑Boy Blues (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform)).
- He continues to work as a recording artist, releasing the album Break Out in 2025 (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
Music career after Empire
- Smollett’s music output has included singles and albums independent of the Empire soundtrack.
- His Instagram activity indicates he does not operate a verified TikTok account, focusing instead on music promotion and personal updates.
Directing and producing work
- Beyond acting, Smollett has moved into behind‑the‑camera roles, directing the romantic drama B‑Boy Blues.
The pattern: Smollett remains active in entertainment but primarily through independent projects and music, not mainstream network television.
The implication: His post-Empire path reflects a deliberate shift away from the Hollywood spotlight.
What happened to Jussie Smollett?
The 2019 attack allegation
- On January 29, 2019, Smollett told Chicago police he had been attacked by two men who used racist and homophobic slurs (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- He claimed the assailants poured a chemical substance on him and put a rope around his neck.
Investigation and indictment
- Chicago police later concluded the attack was staged, and Smollett was charged with filing a false police report (YouTube / AP‑style news clip (news video)).
- The police superintendent publicly said Smollett staged the incident over dissatisfaction with his Empire salary.
Trial and conviction
- In 2021, a jury found Smollett guilty of five counts of disorderly conduct (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- He was sentenced in March 2022 to 150 days in jail and 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay more than $120,000 in restitution.
Appeal and conviction overturned
- Smollett’s conviction was overturned on appeal in 2023, a decision that drew both support and criticism (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that a special prosecutor should not have been appointed after the original charges were dropped.
Smollett’s legal outcome – convicted at trial, freed on a technical appeal – leaves no definitive public verdict on his guilt. For the public, the case remains a Rorschach test. For the legal system, it underscores the fragility of high‑profile prosecutions.
The pattern: Legal twists continue to fuel debate over what really happened.
How much did Jussie Smollett make on Empire?
Per‑episode salary estimates
- Industry estimates for Smollett’s Empire pay vary widely. One report from Fox Business cited a figure of about $20,000 per episode (Fox Business (business news outlet)).
- The Hollywood Reporter, citing sources, placed his base pay in the $40,000–$50,000 per‑episode range (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade)).
- A later profile from Cosmopolitan UK reported he earned around $65,000 per episode by the fifth season (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
Total earnings from the series
- Assuming 18–22 episodes per season over six seasons, total earnings could range from $2 million to over $8 million – but no official figure has been released.
- The police publicly suggested salary dissatisfaction as a motive for the alleged hoax, linking pay directly to the case (YouTube / AP‑style news clip (news video)).
What this means: The lack of a confirmed salary feeds ongoing speculation about motive and creates a vacuum that unverified figures fill.
What did Terrence Howard say about Jussie Smollett?
Terrence Howard’s public defense
- In February 2019, Empire co‑star Terrence Howard publicly defended Smollett, calling him a “good person” and expressing belief in his innocence (ABC World News Tonight (news network Facebook post)).
- Howard described Smollett as his “television son” and stood by him during the legal proceedings (KSAT 12 (local TV station Facebook post)).
Statements during Smollett’s legal troubles
- Howard gave interviews supporting Smollett throughout the trial, framing the case as a misunderstanding rather than a crime.
Howard’s defense added a layer of cast loyalty to a story already thick with motive speculation. For the audience, it humanized Smollett. For the prosecution, it gave cover to those who saw the charges as overreach.
The implication: Howard’s public support did not change the legal outcome but helped shape a narrative of solidarity within the Empire cast.
What is Jussie Smollett’s net worth?
Estimated net worth
- Various online sources estimate Smollett’s net worth between $1 million and $5 million (Fox Business (business news outlet)).
- No official figure has been confirmed by Smollett or his representatives.
Sources of income
- Income derives from acting (primarily Empire), music sales, and directing projects.
- Legal fees and restitution payments – including the $120,000 ordered after sentencing – may have significantly reduced his net worth (TODAY (national news outlet)).
The catch: Without transparent financial disclosure, net‑worth estimates are speculative. The $1–5 million range reflects uncertainty rather than precision.
Timeline: Key dates in Jussie Smollett’s life and case
- 1991 – First acting role as a child actor (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform)).
- 2015–2020 – Starred as Jamal Lyon on Empire (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade)).
- January 2019 – Reported a hate‑crime attack in Chicago (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- February 2019 – Police concluded the attack was a hoax; Smollett indicted (YouTube / AP‑style news clip (news video)).
- 2021 – Found guilty of disorderly conduct (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- 2023 – Conviction overturned on appeal (TODAY (national news outlet)).
- 2025 – Netflix documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett released (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform)).
The pattern: Each phase – allegation, conviction, appeal – is separated by roughly two years, suggesting the legal saga is far from over.
What’s confirmed, what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Smollett was born June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform)).
- He is an actor, filmmaker, and singer (Netflix Tudum (streaming platform)).
- He starred in Empire from 2015 to 2020 (The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment trade)).
- He was convicted of disorderly conduct in 2021; the conviction was overturned in 2023 (TODAY (national news outlet)).
What’s unclear
- Exact Empire salary – ranging from $20,000 to $65,000 per episode in various reports – is not publicly confirmed (Fox Business (business news outlet)).
- Net worth estimates vary from $1 million to $5 million; no official figure exists (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
- Marital status and partner are not publicly verified (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
- Whether he will return to mainstream acting is unknown (Cosmopolitan UK (lifestyle magazine)).
Quotes from those involved
“Terrence Howard is standing up for his TV son Jussie Smollett, saying he believes the Empire star is a good person.”
– ABC World News Tonight, reporting on Howard’s public defense (ABC World News Tonight (news network))
“The Chicago police superintendent stated that Smollett staged the attack because he was dissatisfied with his salary on Empire.”
– AP‑style news clip (YouTube / AP‑style news clip (news video))
For the public, the dueling narratives – cast loyalty versus official police statements – leave no clear consensus. The implication: Smollett’s story will likely be debated for years.
jdsupra.com, en.wikipedia.org, facebook.com, reddit.com, oddssider.net
The actor’s legal troubles have been discussed alongside Terrence Howards legal controversies in the context of Empire’s legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jussie Smollett in jail?
No. He served a portion of a 150‑day sentence in 2022, but his conviction was overturned in 2023, and he was released.
Did Jussie Smollett lose his job on Empire?
His character was written out of the final two episodes of season 5 after the controversy, and he did not return for season 6 as a regular cast member.
What was Jussie Smollett’s role on Empire?
He played Jamal Lyon, the middle son of the Lyon family and a talented singer‑songwriter.
Who is Jussie Smollett’s sister?
He has a sister named Jazz Smollett, though she is not a public figure like his older sister Jurnee Smollett (actress).
What movies did Jussie Smollett star in as a child?
He made his film debut in The Mighty Ducks (1992) and also appeared in North (1994).
Does Jussie Smollett have any upcoming projects?
As of mid‑2025, no major announced projects. He released an album in 2025 and is reportedly working on independent film ideas.
What was the outcome of Jussie Smollett’s appeal?
The Illinois Appellate Court overturned his conviction in 2023, ruling that the special prosecutor was invalidly appointed.
How did the public react to the Netflix documentary?
Reactions are mixed: some viewers felt it gave Smollett a platform to relitigate the case, while others found it a balanced look at contested facts.
George Thompson is Senior Reporter at UrbanMixr.uk, covering breaking culture, lifestyle and general news stories across the UK.