The Legacy of Joel Smollett: Raising Hollywood’s Brightest Stars

The famous Smollett family rose to fame because of the offscreen efforts of a man known as Joel Smollett, who was the father and the main figure of the Smollett family. Joel Smollett Sr was a cable slicer by profession. 

Joel Smollett was a dedicated father and a key figure in the success of his talented children, including  Jussie, Jojo, Jazz, Jocqui, Jurnee, and Jake Smollett. He had a deep enthusiasm for the arts and from a young age instilled in his kids a love of creativity and individuality. 

Joel Smollett believed in nurturing each person’s unique skills and assisting them in realizing their goals, whether they were in the fields of acting, music, or culinary arts. The children of Joel Smollett have developed into some of the most well-known stars in Hollywood thanks to his guidance and lessons, leaving a legacy that continues to motivate young artists all around the world.

Peek into Joel Smollett’s Personal Life

Joel Smollett Sr. was a deeply committed father and a key figure in the success of his talented children, including actors Jussie, Jojo, and Jake Smollett. Joel Smollett, who was born in Moscow on October 8, 1956, was of Jewish-Russian-Polish ancestry. He was the child of Molly Hirschenson and Peter Smollett. He was a migrant to America from Russia via Poland.

Although little is known about Joel Smollett’s education, it is obvious that he had a deep love for the arts, especially music, and the culinary arts.

Joel and Janet Smollett were married, and their six children were named Jussie, Jojo, Jazz, Jocqui, Jurnee, and Jake Smollett. His children became some of the most famous names in the entertainment industry, and the family achieved recognition in Hollywood.

On January 7, 2015, Joel Smollett tragically passed away at the age of 58. His influence on his children’s successful jobs ensures that his legacy endures. Although he has an undisclosed financial worth, his love and care for his family are unexplainable.

Who Are Joel Smollett’s Family Members?

Joel Smollett tied the knot with a very graceful African-American woman Janet Harris. The couple together had 6 children – Jussie Smollett, Jojo Smollett, Jazz Smollett, Jocqui Smollett, Jurnee Smollett and Jake Smollett. All of them are renowned in Hollywood for their unique talent. 

Dwelling deeper into the life of Joel Smollett’s Children.

All six of Joel Smollett’s children, including actors Jussie, Jojo, Jurnee, and Jake Smollett, followed professions in the entertainment sector. With the ABC series “On Our Own,” they launched their acting careers.

Jojo Smollett

One of the six kids of the late Joel Smollett, Jojo Smollett has established himself in the entertainment world. Jojo, who was born on August 28, 1977, began his career in acting when he and his siblings were cast in the ABC sitcom “On Our Own” when he was nine years old. He then went on to make appearances in a number of other TV programs, such as “Roseanne”, “City of Hope” and ”The Practice.”

Jojo’s main love, though, is for the culinary arts. His favorite family dishes are included in the cookbook “The Family Table,” which he and his siblings published in 2007. Before starting his own catering business, The Smollett Eats, in Los Angeles, Jojo previously worked as a private chef for a number of well-known customers.

Jazz Smollett

Jazz Smollett, an accomplished actress, and producer who was born on April 1st, 1980, is most known for her role on the popular TV show “On Our Own” with her siblings. Jazz continued acting after the show in a number of TV episodes and movies, such as “The Great Debaters” and “A Taste of Romance.”

In addition to acting, Jazz has a thriving career as a producer and writer. She has contributed to a number of projects, including the short film “Girls Like Us” and the TV show “Living by Design with Jake and Jazz.”

Jazz is wed to her longtime partner and successful producer Troy Wardwell. The couple has a daughter named Nylah together, and they frequently post pictures of their family on social media.

Jussie Smollett

Jussie Smollett is a multi-talented actor, singer, and composer who was born on June 21, 1982. In the popular television series “Empire,” which debuted on September 22, 2015, the same day his father Joel Smollett passed away, he gained fame for his performance as Jamal Lyon.

Jussie has also put out a number of well-received music CDs, including “Sum of My Music,” his 2018 debut. He is renowned for his activism, support of LGBTQ+ rights, and commitment to social justice.

Following his father’s death, Jussie took to Instagram to share his grief, posting a photo of him and his father with the caption: 

“I am a man of few words, but my heart is heavy with grief over the loss of my beloved father. Joel Smollett, you were my strength when I was weak, my wisdom when I was lost, my joy during happy times and my rock in sad times. You taught me everything I know. I love you. I honor you. I will miss you dearly. Daddy this one is for you.“

Jurnee Smollett

The outstanding actress Jurnee Smollett, who was born on October 1st, 1986, has established herself in Hollywood. When she was young, she started her acting career by playing a sibling in the popular TV show “On Our Own” in the 1994–1995 season.

Later, Jurnee appeared in a number of movies, such as “The Great Debaters” and “Eve’s Bayou.” Moreover, she starred in the popular TV shows “True Blood” and “Underground.”

In addition to having a great acting career, Jurnee is a fierce supporter of social justice and HIV/AIDS education. She was motivated by Hydeia Broadbent, a campaigner for HIV/AIDS who has battled full-blown AIDS since 1989.

As a member of the Black AIDS Institute, Jurnee has taken part in a number of programs, such as “30 Days/30 Ways,” which raised awareness of HIV/AIDS in the black community. Her commitment to utilising her platform to advocate for social justice and promote awareness has elevated her status both within and outside of the entertainment industry.

Jake Smollett

American actor and chef Jake Smollett Jr. was born on July 29, 1989. His roles in TV shows like “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “The Middleman” are what made him most well-known. 

With the help of his well-liked cooking blog and cookbook, “The Family Table,” Jake has just established himself as a chef and food blogger. Also, he has been on cooking programs like “MasterChef Junior” and “The Chew.” In addition to his acting prowess, Jake’s love of food and cooking has made him a rising star in the culinary world.

Jacqui Smollett

Jacqui Smollett, an American actor and producer, was born on August 2, 1993. His work on the TV shows “On Our Own” and “Rosewood” is what made him most famous. Jocqui has experience working behind the scenes as a producer, earning credits for the TV series “Underground” and the documentary “I Am Not Your Negro.”

Also, he participates in social justice and environmental action, supporting topics like jail reform and raising awareness of climate change. Jocqui is well-regarded in the entertainment business and among activists thanks to his talent and dedication to social justice.

What Was Joel Smollett’s Cause of Death?

On January 7, 2015, Joel Smollett Sr. passed away at the age of 58. His death was reportedly brought on by cancer.

For Joel’s family as well as the movie industry, his death was a tragic loss. He was renowned as a producer and director in addition to being the father of several accomplished actors and actresses.

Jussie Smollett, who was set to make his television debut in the popular series “Empire” only a few weeks after his father’s death, found his loss to be especially painful. Jussie honoured his father, who had served as an example for him throughout his career, by dedicating the first episode to him.

Net Worth of Joel Smollett

Unfortunately, information about Joel Smollett Sr.’s net worth is not readily available. He was a struggling father and kept a relatively low public profile compared to his children, who went on to become successful actors and actresses.

The entire family of Joel Smollett is thought to have a net worth of about $20 million. The income of Jussie Smollett, Jojo Smollett, Jurnee Smollett, Jazz Smollett, Jocqui Smollett, and Jake Smollett is included in this net worth.

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