Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Jussie Smollett is?
Jussie Smollett is a name that many Americans are familiar with. He is an actor, singer, and musician who rose to fame for his role as Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama series “Empire.”
As of May 2023, Jussie Smollett’s net worth is approximately $1 million. This article will discuss Smollet’s acting career as well as the 2019 controversy that made headlines.
Table of Contents
Early Life and Career
Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, on June 21, 1982, and is the third of six siblings. His father was Jewish, and his mother was African American.
Smollett’s siblings are all actors and include Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Jake Smollett, Jazz Smollett, Jocqui Smollett, and Joel Smollett.
Smollett’s early acting roles were in films such as “The Mighty Ducks” and “North.” He also guest-starred on TV shows like “The Mindy Project” and “The Alienist.” However, it wasn’t until his breakthrough role as Jamal Lyon on “Empire” in 2015 that he became a household name.
“Empire” was a cultural phenomenon with a massive following and a huge impact on popular culture. Smollett’s portrayal of Jamal Lyon, the talented musician and lead character, was a major reason for the show’s success.
He broke barriers in terms of LGBTQ representation in the entertainment industry, playing a black gay man and earning widespread praise for his performance.
Music Career
Smollett’s career as a musician was also successful. He released his debut studio album, “Sum of My Music,” in 2018, and worked on the original soundtrack of “Empire.”
He was signed to Columbia Records and had his independent label, Music of Sound. Smollett’s music is influenced by jazz and soul, and some of his most famous songs include “Want to Love You” and “Hurt People.”
Legal Issues and Controversy
The controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett’s alleged false police report in January 2019 was a major turning point in his career. Smollett claimed to have been the victim of a hate crime by two white men wearing MAGA hats in the early hours of the morning in Chicago.
He claimed that the attackers shouted racist and homophobic slurs at him, poured bleach on him, and tied a noose around his neck. The story quickly gained national attention and led to a massive outpouring of support for Smollett.
However, as the investigation progressed, the Chicago Police Department became suspicious of Smollett’s claims. They accused him of staging the attack and charged him with disorderly conduct and making a false police report.
Smollett was eventually indicted on 16 felony counts, but the charges were dropped in March 2019. Smollett’s legal battles continued, however, with the city of Chicago suing him for the cost of the investigation.
The media frenzy that followed the controversy had a significant impact on Smollett’s career. He was written off the final episodes of “Empire,” and his music career also suffered. Smollett maintained his innocence and claimed to be the victim of a witch-hunt.
He gave a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres in which he spoke about the controversy and maintained his innocence. He also said that the incident had left him feeling isolated and suicidal.
In February 2020, Smollett was indicted again by a grand jury on six felony counts related to the alleged false police report.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges. In November 2020, Smollett’s sister Jurnee spoke out in support of her brother, saying that he was the victim of a “public hanging.”
However, in March 2022, Smollet was found guilty and sentenced to 150 days in jail.
Restitution and Months of Felony Probation
In addition to the legal battles and media fallout, Jussie Smollett was ordered to pay over $130,000 in restitution to the City of Chicago for the cost of the investigation. He was also sentenced to 30 months of probation and 240 hours of community service. Smollett’s probation ended in November 2021.
Jussie Smollett Net Worth 2023
As of May 2023, Jussie Smollett has a net worth of $1 million. Jussie Smollett’s net worth and salary were impacted by the controversy surrounding his alleged false police report in January 2019.
Smollett’s earnings from “Empire” were a significant contributor to his net worth, with a reported salary of $125,000 per episode. Smollett’s music career also contributed to his net worth, as did his other acting projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Jussie Smollett ever act again?
It is currently unclear whether Jussie Smollett will ever act again. His legal battles and controversy surrounding the alleged false police report have had a significant impact on his career. He has not appeared in any new projects since the end of “Empire.”
What happened to Jussie Smollett?
Jussie Smollett made headlines in 2019 after he claimed to have been the victim of a hate crime in Chicago.
However, as the investigation progressed, the Chicago Police Department became suspicious of Smollett’s claims and accused him of staging the attack.
He was eventually indicted on 16 felony counts related to the incident, but the charges were dropped in March 2019. Smollett’s legal battles continued, with the city of Chicago suing him for the cost of the investigation.
He was later indicted again by a grand jury on six felony counts related to the alleged false police report. The case closed in March 2022.
Was Jurnee pregnant during Underground?
Jurnee Smollett was not pregnant during the filming of “Underground.” The show aired from 2016 to 2017, and Jurnee gave birth to her first child in November 2016.
Is Jurnee Smollet related to Jussie Smollet?
Yes, Jurnee Smollett is the younger sister of Jussie Smollett. They are both part of a family of six siblings who are all actors.
How many Smollets are there?
There are six Smollett siblings: Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jazz, Jocqui, and Joel. All of them are actors.
Key Takeaway
Jussie Smollett’s career and personal life have been marked by both success and controversy. His role as Jamal Lyon on “Empire” was groundbreaking in terms of LGBTQ representation. Still, the controversy surrounding his alleged false police report has had a significant impact on his career.
Despite the setbacks, Smollett remains a talented actor and musician. As his legal battles continue, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Jussie Smollett.