History of Jussie Smollett in Timeline
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the television series *Empire* (2015-2019). He began his acting career as a child in 1991, debuting in *The Mighty Ducks* (1992). In January 2019, Smollett reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime. However, he was later accused of staging the incident and filing a false police report. The case generated significant media attention and controversy, with varying legal outcomes, including charges being dropped and later reinstated.
June 21, 1982: Jussie Smollett Born
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: Career as a Child Actor
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".
1995: Starring in On Our Own
In 1995, Jussie Smollett starred in the ABC sitcom "On Our Own".
2007: No Contest Plea to Misdemeanor Counts
In 2007, Jussie Smollett pleaded no contest to three misdemeanor counts of providing false information to law enforcement, resulting from a DUI stop where he gave police a false name. He also pleaded no contest to driving with a blood alcohol level over the legal limit and driving without a valid driver's license and was sentenced to a fine and three years of probation.
2012: Return to Acting and EP Release
In 2012, Jussie Smollett returned to acting with a leading role in "The Skinny" and released an EP titled "The Poisoned Hearts Club".
2014: Guest Starring Roles
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 that was hailed as groundbreaking for its depiction of a black gay man on television.
February 2015: Signed Recording Contract with Columbia Records
In February 2015, Jussie Smollett signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.
March 2015: Co-Wrote Songs for 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.
March 2015: Came Out as Gay
In March 2015, Jussie Smollett publicly came out as gay during a televised interview with Ellen DeGeneres.
2015: Portrayal of Jamal Lyon in Empire
From 2015, Jussie Smollett portrayed the musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire".
2016: Guest-starred in Underground
In 2016, Jussie Smollett guest-starred alongside his younger sister Jurnee in "Underground".
2017: Directed an Episode of Empire
In 2017, Jussie Smollett directed an episode of the fourth season of "Empire".
March 2018: Released Sum of My Music
In March 2018, Jussie Smollett released his debut R&B album, "Sum of My Music", through his own label, Music of Sound.
January 2019: Smollett's Hate Crime Claim
In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be the victim of a hate crime, which police later determined was staged.
January 29, 2019: Reported Attack
On January 29, 2019, Jussie Smollett reported to police that he was physically attacked and subjected to racial and homophobic slurs outside his apartment building. He was treated at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and released later that morning. Subsequent investigation revealed the attack was staged.
February 20, 2019: Charged with Filing False Police 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 against Jussie Smollett were dropped after he completed community service and forfeited his $10,000 bond.
April 12, 2019: City of Chicago Filed Lawsuit
On April 12, 2019, the city of Chicago filed a lawsuit against Jussie Smollett for $130,105.15 to cover the costs of overtime authorities spent investigating the hoax.
April 30, 2019: Character's Absence from Empire
On April 30, 2019, Fox Entertainment announced that despite Smollett's contract being extended for the sixth season of "Empire", there were no plans for his character to appear.
June 2019: Foxx Requests Independent Inquiry
In June 2019, following allegations of favoritism, prosecutor Kim Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator into the Smollett case.
November 2019: Smollett Filed Countersuit
In November 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago, alleging he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm" and arguing he should not have to reimburse the city for the cost of the investigation.
2019: End of Empire Role
In 2019, Jussie Smollett's role as Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire" ended.
February 11, 2020: Smollett Indicted Again
On February 11, 2020, after further investigation, Jussie Smollett was indicted again by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct about making four false police reports.
June 12, 2020: Judge Rejected Double Jeopardy Claim
On June 12, 2020, a judge rejected Jussie Smollett's claim that his February charge violated the principle of double jeopardy.
2020: Re-indictment by Special Prosecutor
In 2020, Jussie Smollett was re-indicted by a special prosecutor related to the hate crime incident.
November 2021: Trial Began
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's trial began on charges related to making false police reports.
November 2021: Release of B-Boy Blues
In November 2021, the movie "B-Boy Blues", directed by Jussie Smollett and based on the 1994 novel by James Earl Hardy, was released.
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: Sentenced to Jail and Probation
On March 10, 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail, two and a half years on probation, ordered to pay restitution to the city of Chicago of just over $120,000, and fined $25,000.
March 2022: Sentenced to Jail, then Release Ordered
In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to jail but was ordered to be released after six days.
March 16, 2022: Release Ordered Pending Appeal
On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered that Jussie Smollett be released from jail pending the outcome of the appeal of his conviction.
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.
December 1, 2023: Conviction Upheld
On December 1, 2023, the court upheld Jussie Smollett's conviction related to the felony disorderly conduct conviction.
2023: Sentence Upheld on Appeal
In 2023, Jussie Smollett's sentence was upheld on appeal in the hate crime hoax case.
November 21, 2024: Conviction Reversed by Illinois Supreme Court
On November 21, 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, holding that retrying him after he had paid $10,000 and served community service violated his constitutional due process rights.
2024: Conviction Reversed by Illinois Supreme Court
In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, based on the fulfillment of a plea agreement from 2019.
June 20, 2025: Engagement Announcement
On June 20, 2025, Jussie Smollett announced that he was engaged to Jabari Redd.
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