History of Jussie Smollett in Timeline
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire (2015-2019). He began his career as a child actor in 1991. In January 2019, Smollett reported to police that he was the victim of a hate crime. Following an investigation, Smollett was accused of staging the attack and filing a false police report. The case became highly publicized and controversial, leading to Smollett's removal from Empire. He was eventually convicted on multiple felony counts of disorderly conduct for making false reports to the police.
June 21, 1982: Jussie Smollett's Birth
On June 21, 1982, Jussie Smollett was born. He is an American actor and singer.
1990: Extra in Mo' Better Blues
In 1990, Jussie Smollett worked as an extra in the New York-shot movie "Mo' Better Blues".
1991: Early Acting Career
In 1991, Jussie Smollett began his career as a child actor.
1991: Extra in New Jack City
In 1991, Jussie Smollett worked as an extra in the New York-shot movie "New Jack City".
1992: Acting in The Mighty Ducks
In 1992, Jussie Smollett acted in the film "The Mighty Ducks".
1994: Acting in North and On Our Own
In 1994, Jussie Smollett acted in the film "North" and starred in the ABC sitcom "On Our Own".
1994: B-Boy Blues Novel
In 1994, the black gay novel "B-Boy Blues" by James Earl Hardy was originally published. Jussie Smollett later directed a movie based on the book.
1995: On Our Own Continued
In 1995, Jussie Smollett continued starring in the ABC sitcom "On Our Own".
2007: Plea in DUI Case
In 2007, Jussie Smollett pleaded no contest to providing false information to law enforcement, driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit, and driving without a valid driver's license. He was sentenced to a fine and three years of probation.
2012: Return to Acting and Music
In 2012, Jussie Smollett returned to acting in "The Skinny", released an EP titled "The Poisoned Hearts Club", and guest-starred on "The Mindy Project".
2014: Guest-Starred on Revenge
In 2014, Jussie Smollett guest-starred on "Revenge".
2014: Cast as Jamal Lyon in Empire
In 2014, Jussie Smollett was cast as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire", a role recognized for its positive portrayal of a black gay man.
February 2015: Signed Recording Contract
In February 2015, Jussie Smollett confirmed signing a recording contract with Columbia Records to release an album.
March 2015: Release of Empire Soundtrack
In March 2015, Jussie Smollett co-wrote the songs "I Wanna Love You" and "You're So Beautiful" on the Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of "Empire" album, which was released.
March 2015: Came Out as Gay
In March 2015, Jussie Smollett publicly came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres.
June 2015: Guest-Starring in Underground
In June 2015, it was announced that Jussie Smollett would guest-star alongside his younger sister Jurnee in "Underground".
2015: Cast in Empire
In 2015, Jussie Smollett began portraying the character Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire".
2016: Airing of Underground
In 2016, Jussie Smollett guest-starred alongside his younger sister Jurnee in "Underground", which aired that year.
2017: Directed an Episode of Empire
In 2017, Jussie Smollett directed an episode of the fourth season of "Empire".
March 2018: Release of Sum of My Music Album
In March 2018, Jussie Smollett released his debut album, "Sum of My Music", an R&B album with elements of electronic music and hip hop, through his label, Music of Sound.
January 2019: Hate Crime Claim
In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed he was the victim of a hate crime, but police determined the attack was staged.
January 29, 2019: Reported Attack
On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to the police that he was physically attacked outside his apartment building and subjected to racial and homophobic slurs. He was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
February 20, 2019: Charged with Filing False Report
On February 20, 2019, Jussie Smollett was charged by a grand jury with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report.
March 26, 2019: Charges Dropped
On March 26, 2019, all charges filed against Jussie Smollett were dropped after he performed community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond.
April 12, 2019: City of Chicago Lawsuit
On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Jussie Smollett to recover $130,105.15, the cost of overtime incurred during the investigation of the alleged hoax.
April 30, 2019: No Plans for Empire Appearance
On April 30, 2019, Fox Entertainment announced that despite Jussie Smollett's contract extension for the sixth season of "Empire", there were no plans for his character to appear.
June 2019: Foxx Requests Independent Inquiry
In June 2019, prosecutor Kim Foxx, facing allegations of favoritism towards Jussie Smollett, requested the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator.
November 2019: Smollett's Countersuit
In November 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago, claiming he was a victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and should not reimburse the city for the investigation costs.
2019: End of Empire Role
In 2019, Jussie Smollett's role as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire" came to an end.
February 11, 2020: Second Indictment
On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor, Jussie Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct.
June 12, 2020: Double Jeopardy Claim Rejected
On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Jussie Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy.
2020: Re-indictment
In 2020, Jussie Smollett was re-indicted by a special prosecutor.
November 2021: Release of B-Boy Blues Movie
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's directed movie "B-Boy Blues", based on the novel by James Earl Hardy, was released.
November 2021: Trial Begins
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's trial began.
December 2021: Conviction on Five Counts
In December 2021, Jussie Smollett was convicted on five counts related to filing a false police report.
March 10, 2022: Sentencing
On March 10, 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in county jail, two and a half years of probation, ordered to pay restitution to the city of Chicago of over $120,000, and fined $25,000.
March 2022: Sentenced to Jail, Released After Six Days
In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to jail, but his release was ordered after six days.
March 16, 2022: Release from Jail
On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered Jussie Smollett's release from jail pending the outcome of his conviction appeal, upon posting a $150,000 personal recognizance bond.
March 1, 2023: Appeal of Sentence
On March 1, 2023, Jussie Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction in his hate crime hoax.
December 1, 2023: Conviction Upheld
On December 1, 2023, the court upheld Jussie Smollett's conviction.
2023: Sentence Upheld on Appeal
In 2023, Jussie Smollett's sentence was upheld on appeal.
November 21, 2024: Conviction Reversed by Illinois Supreme Court
On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, stating that retrying him after he had paid $10,000 and served community service violated his constitutional due process rights.
2024: Conviction Reversed
In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, citing fulfillment of a prior plea agreement made in 2019.
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