Joel played a significant role in their upbringing and gave them the necessary love and support that they needed to become successful people in the entertainment circle. The love they have for one another has created a deep bond within the family and is reflected in the way they carry each other along.

Moreover, Joel Smollett’s children have toed the path of their parents who are known for their activism. They are engaged in many advocacy groups within and outside the United States and are well known for their efforts in HIV/AIDS prevention.

Facts about Joel Smollett, Jessie’s father

1. He is from diverse nationality

Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956, and was the son of Peter Smollett and Molly Hirschenson. He came from a multi-ethnic family whose roots can be traced to Poland, Russia, and Romania. There is not much information about his early years and his Education background but his wife had mentioned that he once pursued modelling.  However, he worked as a cable slicer but his major accomplishment was raising his family whom he placed above everything.

2. He got married to a Civil right activist

Joel Smollett was married to his wife Janet Smollett (nee Harris), an African American woman and Civil right activists whom he met while campaigning for Civil right in the Bay area. She worked with political activists Huey Newton and Bobby Seals. The couple were together throughout their marriage and worked hard to encourage their children and establish them in their careers. There was no news of separation until Joel succumbed to death in 2015.

3. He has six popular children

The love and dedication of Joel Smollett, Jussie’s father played a huge role in the success and popularity of his six children in the entertainment industry. Jojo, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jazz and Jocqui Smollett are well-known as actors, musicians, and models. The family’s name is well known in Hollywood and they love to work together and co-starred in the 1994 ABC family series, On our own.

Jojo Smollett: Jojo was born on August 28, 1977, and is the eldest child of the family. He is a popular actor and producer. Apart from appearing in On our own, some of his other works include City of hope (1991), The practice (1991) and Roseanne (1988).

Jazz Smollett: Born on April 1, 1980, Jazz Smollett Warwell is an actress and producer as well as the first daughter of Joel Smollett.

Her first role was in the family sitcom, On Our Own. She got married in 2012 to producer Troy Wardwell, and they have a daughter. Jazz often work on her husband’s movie projects as a co-producer or actress.

Jussie Smollett: Jussie is an award-winning actor and the most popular child of Joel Smollett. He was born on June 21, 1982, and is an actor, musician and photographer. He starred in Mighty Duck (1992) and Allen Covenant (2017), however, he is best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in, Empire. He was indicted in 2019 for staging an assault on himself which cost him his role on Empire.

Jurnee Smollett: Jurnee also kick-started her career as an actress with the sitcom ‘On our own’ alongside his siblings. She is a recipient of the ‘Best Younger Performer award’  for the movie Choice. She is also a campaigner for the prevention of HIV/ AIDs and also supports the Nelson Mandela Children’s Foundation, Children’s defence fund and other noble cause.

Jake Smollett: Jake is likewise an actor and a social media personality. Born on July 29, 1989, he has appeared in movies such as Eve’s bayou (1997) and Middle man (2008) as well as playing alongside his siblings in ‘On our own’.

Jocqui Smollett: Born on August 2 1993, Jocqui is the youngest child of Joel Smollett. He is an actor, technologist and founder of Hosted Incorporated.

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4. The family has a cookbook

Janet Smollett, Joel Smollett’s wife is a culinary expert and has always dished out delicacies, on a family table she made herself to celebrate the achievements of her family over the years. Therefore it was not surprising that the children decided to honour her by assisting in the publishing of her recipes in the 2018 cookbook titled ‘The family table, recipes and moments from a Nomadic life’.

5. Joel Smollett’s family lost him to Cancer

January 7, 2015, remains a sad day for the Smolletts. It was the day they lost their patriarch Joel Smollett after a prolonged battle with cancer. Jussie shared a heartfelt tribute to his father on his Instagram page after his death, in which he described him as a fighter and a champ and that even though the Smollett family had lost their king, they had gained a righteous angel.