Jussie Smollett is an American actor, filmmaker, and singer who rose to prominence for his role as Jamal Lyon on the hit TV drama Empire. Born on June 21, 1982, Smollett began his entertainment career as a child actor in the early 1990s before later achieving wider recognition for his work on prime‑time television.

Smollett’s talent in acting and music helped him build a promising career, but his public image dramatically changed after a 2019 incident in Chicago that drew intense national attention and legal scrutiny. In recent years, his life has been defined as much by controversy as by his artistic work.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Jussie Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, California, into a family active in the entertainment industry. He moved with his family at a young age and began acting as a child, appearing in films like The Mighty Ducks in the early 1990s.

He continued to work intermittently in both acting and music, eventually landing his most significant role as Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama series Empire. The show ran from 2015 to 2019 and made Smollett a recognizable figure in Hollywood.

Smollett also used his platform to speak on issues related to race and sexuality; he publicly came out as gay in 2015.

The 2019 Incident and Legal Controversy

In January 2019, Smollett reported to Chicago police that he had been the victim of a racially and homophobically motivated assault outside his apartment. According to his initial statement, two masked men attacked him, poured a substance on him, put a rope around his neck, and used slurs.

However, investigators later concluded that Smollett had orchestrated the attack with two acquaintances and that the report was false. He was charged with filing false police reports, an allegation that undermined public trust and sparked widespread debate.

In 2019, Smollett reached a deal in which prosecutors dropped the original charges after he performed community service and forfeited a bond. This decision sparked controversy and accusations of preferential treatment.

Charges, Conviction, and Overturned Verdict

After further review by a special prosecutor, Smollett was re‑indicted in 2020 on multiple felony counts related to falsifying police reports. In December 2021, a jury convicted him on five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to law enforcement about the incident.

In March 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, ordered to pay restitution, and placed on probation. He served just six days while his legal team pursued appeals.

In a notable development, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction in November 2024 on procedural grounds, ruling that retrying him after the initial charges were dropped violated his constitutional due process rights. The court did not make a factual determination about Smollett’s innocence.

Settlement with the City of Chicago

Beyond criminal charges, the city of Chicago pursued a civil lawsuit against Smollett to recover the costs of investigating the alleged hate crime. In 2025, Smollett reached a settlement with the city, agreeing to donate funds to local nonprofit organizations rather than directly reimbursing the city’s investigative expenses.

The settlement marked the end of a long legal battle that had spanned more than six years and consumed significant public attention.

Impact on Career and Public Image

The legal controversy had a profound effect on Smollett’s career. After being dropped from Empire during the initial investigation, his acting opportunities dwindled. However, he has since worked on smaller projects, including directing and starring in the 2024 film The Lost Holliday.

In 2025, Smollett also appeared on reality television and continued to pursue entertainment projects. His efforts to return to public life reflect a mixed public reception, with some fans supporting his comeback and others remaining critical due to the scandal.

Personal Life and Recent Developments

Outside of his professional life, Smollett has continued to share personal milestones. In 2025, he announced his engagement to partner Jabari Redd, marking a positive personal development after years of legal challenges.

Smollett’s story remains one of both artistic achievement and controversy. His experiences have sparked national conversations about celebrity, justice, and media coverage, making him one of the most discussed figures of the past decade in American entertainment.

Conclusion

Jussie Smollett is a figure whose career has encompassed both success and deep controversy. From his rise as a talented actor and singer to a widely publicized legal battle that altered public perception, his journey highlights the challenges of fame in the modern media landscape. While he continues to work on creative projects and rebuild his reputation, the effects of the 2019 incident and its aftermath continue to shape his public legacy.