History of Jussie Smollett in Timeline
Jussie Smollett is an American actor and singer known for his early roles as a child actor, debuting in "The Mighty Ducks" (1992), and his portrayal of Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series "Empire" from 2015 to 2019.
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 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: Acted in The Mighty Ducks
In 1992, Jussie Smollett acted in the film The Mighty Ducks.
1994: B-Boy Blues novel
In 1994, James Earl Hardy wrote the black gay novel B-Boy Blues.
1994: Acted 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: On Our Own Continued
In 1995, Jussie Smollett continued to star alongside his siblings in the ABC sitcom On Our Own.
2007: Arrested for DUI
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, resulting from a DUI stop. He 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 The Skinny and released an EP titled The Poisoned Hearts Club.
2014: Guest Starred on The Mindy Project and Revenge
In 2014, Jussie Smollett guest-starred on The Mindy Project and 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 celebrated for its positive representation of a black gay man on television.
February 2015: Signed Recording Contract with Columbia Records
In February 2015, Jussie Smollett confirmed he had signed a recording contract with Columbia Records.
March 2015: Released Songs on 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 the 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.
June 2015: Guest Starred in Underground
In June 2015, it was announced that Jussie Smollett would guest-star alongside his sister Jurnee in Underground.
2015: Portrayal of Jamal Lyon in Empire
In 2015, Jussie Smollett started portraying the musician Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire.
2016: Aired in Underground
In 2016, Jussie Smollett aired in Underground.
2017: Directed an Episode of Empire
In 2017, Jussie Smollett directed an episode of the fourth season of Empire.
March 2018: Released Debut Album Sum of My Music
In March 2018, Jussie Smollett released his debut album, Sum of My Music, through his own label, Music of Sound. Sum of My Music is an R&B album that features elements of electronic music and hip hop.
January 2019: Reported Hate Crime
In January 2019, Jussie Smollett claimed to be a victim of a hate crime, but police later determined he staged the attack.
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.
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 performed 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 to recover the $130,105.15 in overtime costs spent investigating the alleged hoax.
April 30, 2019: Contract Extended but No Appearance Planned for Empire
On April 30, 2019, Fox Entertainment announced that although Jussie Smollett's contract had been extended for the sixth season of Empire, there were no plans for his character to appear during it.
June 2019: Foxx requested independent inquiry
In June 2019, after allegations of favoritism and leniency were made against the prosecutor, Kim Foxx, Foxx asked the state to conduct an independent inquiry by a special investigator.
November 2019: Smollett Filed Countersuit
In November 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a countersuit against the city of Chicago, claiming he was the victim of "mass public ridicule and harm."
2019: End of Empire Role
In 2019, Jussie Smollett's portrayal of Jamal Lyon in the Fox drama series Empire ended.
February 11, 2020: Smollett Re-Indicted
On February 11, 2020, after further investigation by a special prosecutor, Jussie Smollett was re-indicted by a Cook County grand jury on six counts of felony disorderly conduct for making four false police reports.
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, a special prosecutor re-indicted Jussie Smollett after initial charges were dropped.
November 2021: Released B-Boy Blues Movie
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett released B-Boy Blues, a movie he directed based on the 1994 novel by James Earl Hardy.
November 2021: Trial Began
In November 2021, Jussie Smollett's trial began regarding charges of disorderly conduct.
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 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation, along with restitution and fines.
March 2022: Sentenced to Jail
In March 2022, Jussie Smollett was sentenced to jail time for his conviction.
March 16, 2022: Release Ordered Pending Appeal
On March 16, 2022, an Illinois appeals court ordered Jussie Smollett's release from jail pending the outcome of the appeal, upon posting a $150,000 personal recognizance bond.
March 1, 2023: Appeal Filed
On March 1, 2023, Jussie Smollett's attorney filed an appeal of his 150-day sentence.
December 1, 2023: Conviction Upheld
On December 1, 2023, the court upheld Jussie Smollett's conviction.
2023: Conviction Upheld on Appeal
In 2023, Jussie Smollett's conviction 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 already fulfilled the terms of an agreement (community service and payment) violated his due process rights.
2024: Conviction Reversed
In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed Jussie Smollett's conviction, citing the fulfillment of the plea agreement made in 2019.
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