Jussie Smollett Net Worth: From Early Life to Legacy

Introduction

Jussie Smollett is an American actor, director, and singer who gained widespread fame for his role in the television show “Empire.” However, as much as he had gained fame, his career also faced a significant setback stemming from a controversy that saw him in the headlines for some time. Amidst all these, his fans are left to wonder, what is Jussie Smollett net worth, and what is his legacy?

What Is Jussie Smollett Net Worth and Salary?

As of 2021, Jussie Smollett’s net worth is estimated to be around $500,000. This amount may appear low compared to his famed status in the entertainment industry, but it is mostly due to the controversy surrounding him that has negatively impacted his career. He was earning $65,000 per episode of “Empire,” which amounts to $1.5 million per season. However, following his scandal, he was fired from the show, thereby, losing a vast source of his income.

Early Life and Education

Jussie Smollett was born on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California, United States. He is the third of six children, including a brother, Jocqui, and four sisters, Jazz, Jurnee, Jake, and Jojo. Jussie’s parents, Joel and Janet Smollett, were both of African American and Jewish descent and raised their kids in a Jewish household. He studied at the Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey before enrolling in the University of Southern California. At USC, he majored in directing and minored in music.

Career

Jussie Smollett began his career as a child actor, appearing in movies like “The Mighty Ducks” and “North.” He also had roles in notable TV shows like “On Our Own,” “The Mindy Project,” and “Revenge.” Still, his most significant breakthrough came in 2015, when he was cast as Jamal Lyon in the Fox musical drama series, “Empire.” He received critical acclaim for his role and even received awards nominations from the NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Personal Life

Jussie Smollett is a private person when it comes to his personal life. However, he has come out as gay, and in a 2016 interview with Ellen DeGeneres, he talked about his experience in coming out to his family. He has also been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and has been involved in several campaigns and fundraisers in support of the community.

Illness and Death

Jussie Smollett is still alive and well, despite the scandal that rocked his career. However, rumors circulated in 2021 that he had passed away due to a drug overdose. These rumors were all debunked, and it was revealed that he continues to maintain a low profile.

Real Estate

Jussie Smollett owned a condominium in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago, which he bought in 2016 for $1.6 million. In February 2019, he reported an attack that allegedly occurred outside this same condominium. The incident turned out to be a hoax, which resulted in significant damage to his reputation.

Legacy

Jussie Smollett’s legacy is one that would always include controversy surrounding an alleged staged hate crime. However, it is essential to remember his groundbreaking role in “Empire” and his activism in the LGBTQ community. Although his career took a nosedive following the scandal, he would forever be remembered as an actor who represented and voiced the concerns of a marginalized community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Jussie Smollett still acting?

Jussie Smollett has not acted in any movie or TV show since his firing from “Empire” in 2019. However, he remains technically active and recently directed an episode of Season 6 on “B-Positive,” which debuted in January 2021.

2. What led to Jussie Smollett’s dismissal from “Empire”?

Jussie Smollett was dismissed from “Empire” after allegations of staging a hate crime against himself in January 2019. The scandal led to a massive outcry, and the producers of the show eventually decided that it was in the best interest of the production company and the show to remove him from subsequent episodes.

3. What is Jussie Smollett’s musical background?

Jussie Smollett comes from a family with a long history in music. In his early years, he performed as part of a children’s choir, Joyful Noise, alongside his siblings. He also released two songs, “Freedom” and “Ha Ha (I Love You),” in 2012.

4. Has Jussie Smollett won any awards?

Jussie Smollett has been nominated for several awards, including NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, for his role in “Empire.” However, he has not won any significant awards.

5. What is Jussie Smollett’s involvement in charity work?

Jussie Smollett has been involved in various charities and social causes throughout his career. Most notably, he was involved in fundraising efforts for Project Q, a nonprofit organization that helps LGBTQ youth who are homeless. He also partnered with the Black AIDS Institute to help raise awareness on the issue.

6. What are Jussie Smollett’s upcoming projects?

Jussie Smollett has not announced any new projects or movie/TV show, but there are rumors that he is working on a new album.

7. What led to the controversy surrounding Jussie Smollett?

In January 2019, Jussie Smollett reported that he had been attacked by two men shouting racist and homophobic slurs, who doused him with a chemical substance and placed a noose around his neck. However, the police later discovered that the attack was staged, and Jussie was charged with 16 felony counts of disorderly conduct. Eventually, the charges were dropped but the events had a significant impact on his career.

8. Has Jussie Smollett apologized for the controversy?

In a statement in April 2019, Jussie Smollett maintained that he was a victim and denied all allegations that he staged the attack. However, he was later indicted by the Cook County grand jury, but the charges were eventually dropped. To date, Smollett has not formally apologized for the incident.