Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth: A Look at His Career, Controversies, and Finances

Jussie Smollett, an American actor, singer, and photographer, has a net worth of $300 thousand. He gained prominence for his role in the television series “Empire.” However, his career has been marked by significant controversy. This article delves into Smollett’s life, career, the infamous Chicago incident, and his current financial standing.

Table of Contents

• Early Life and Background
• Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
• Empire and Musical Pursuits
• The Chicago “Attack” Incident: The Controversy Explained
• Legal Battles and Aftermath
• Personal Life and Real Estate
• Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth: How He Made His Money
• Conclusion

Early Life and Background

Justin Smollett, known professionally as Jussie Smollett, was born on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California. His parents are Janet (née Harris) and Joel Smollett. Jussie grew up in a large family with three brothers and two sisters, including actress Jurnee Smollett, known for her role in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” The family moved to New York City when Jussie was two years old, living in Elmhurst before returning to California and later relocating to New Jersey. He graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey.

Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame

Smollett’s career started early. He began as a child model in New York City. He transitioned into acting, appearing as an extra in films like “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990) and “New Jack City” (1991). His early film roles included “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and “North” (1994). From 1994 to 1995, he starred with his siblings in the ABC sitcom “On Our Own.”

After a period out of the spotlight, Smollett returned to acting in 2012 with the LGBTQ romantic comedy-drama “The Skinny.” That same year, he guest-starred on “The Mindy Project” and appeared in “Revenge” in 2014. However, his breakthrough role came in 2014 when he was cast as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama “Empire.”

Empire and Musical Pursuits

Smollett’s role in “Empire” as Jamal Lyon, a talented musician navigating the music industry, propelled him to fame. He starred alongside Taraji P. Henson and Terrence Howard. Smollett was a part of the show for its first five seasons. Simultaneously, Smollett was involved in the show “Underground.” Besides acting, Smollett is also a musician. He released his first EP, “The Poisoned Hearts Club,” in 2012. In 2015, he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. His debut studio album, “Sum of My Music,” was released in 2018 through his own label, Music of Sound. Smollett also co-wrote songs for “Empire,” including “I Wanna Love You” and “You’re So Beautiful.”

(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

The Chicago “Attack” Incident: The Controversy Explained

On January 29, 2019, Smollett reported to the Chicago Police that he had been the victim of a hate crime. He claimed to have been attacked by two men wearing ski masks, who allegedly made racist and homophobic slurs, tied a noose around his neck, and poured a chemical substance on him. According to Smollett’s initial account, the attackers referenced “Empire” and shouted, “This is MAGA country.”

However, the Chicago Police Department launched an investigation that led to a different conclusion. The police found that Smollett had likely orchestrated the attack, paying two brothers who were extras on “Empire” to carry it out. The brothers reportedly received $3,500 for their role. In February 2019, Smollett was charged with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report. Although the charges were initially dropped, the city of Chicago later filed a civil case against him.

Legal Battles and Aftermath

The legal proceedings following the Chicago incident had a significant impact on Smollett’s career. He was removed from the final episodes of “Empire” season five. Fox executives announced that Smollett would not return for season six, although he was reportedly paid for his contract. In March 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, 30 months of probation, and ordered to pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago. His legal team appealed the sentence. Jussie Smollett’s attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence for his alleged hate crime hoax in March 2023.

Personal Life and Real Estate

In March 2015, Jussie Smollett publicly came out as gay during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. In 2016, he purchased a Los Angeles home for $1.687 million. He sold the home in July 2019, incurring a loss of $30,000.

Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth: How He Made His Money

Jussie Smollett’s net worth is primarily derived from his acting and music careers. While he gained substantial income from “Empire,” the controversy surrounding the Chicago incident negatively impacted his earning potential and career trajectory. Additional income came from his music releases and various other acting roles.

Conclusion

Jussie Smollett’s career has been marked by both success and controversy. While he achieved significant recognition for his work on “Empire” and as a musician, the Chicago incident significantly impacted his public image and financial standing. His net worth reflects his career achievements and the subsequent fallout from the legal and public relations challenges he has faced.