Jussie Smollett is an American actor, singer, and filmmaker born on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California. He started his career as a child actor in 1991 with a debut in the film The Mighty Ducks (1992). Smollett is best known for his role as musician Jamal Lyon in the TV drama series Empire, which he starred in from 2015 to 2019. He has also appeared in films such as Alien: Covenant and Marshall. Smollett is biracial, with an African-American and Irish mother and a Jewish father. He has several siblings who are also actors, including Jurnee Smollett. In January 2019, Smollett reported that he was the victim of a hate crime, but it was later determined by police that he had staged the attack with two acquaintances. He was charged with filing a false police report, was initially cleared after completing community service and forfeiting money, but was re-indicted and convicted in 2021. His sentence was modified on appeal and the conviction was reversed in 2024 based on a plea agreement he fulfilled. Smollett's career includes acting in TV shows and movies, releasing music albums, and directing films. His role in Empire was notable for its positive portrayal of a black gay man on television.