Joel Smollett may not have been a famous person in Hollywood, but his name is remembered because of his six talented children. As the father of actors like Jussie Smollett and Jurnee Smollett, Joel played an important role in building a family that became well-known in the entertainment world. His story is about hard work, strong values, and love for family.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Joel Smollett Sr. |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 8, 1956 |
| Place of Birth | Russia |
| Date of Death | January 7, 2015 |
| Age at Death | 58 years |
| Nationality | American (Russian-Polish descent) |
| Ethnicity | Jewish (Russian-Polish) |
| Occupation | Cable Splicer, Civil Rights Activist |
| Spouse | Janet Smollett |
| Children | 6 (Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jocqui) |
| Known For | Father of the Smollett family actors |
Early Life and Background
Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956, in Russia. He came from a Jewish family with Russian and Polish roots. His father was Peter Smollett, and his mother was Molly Hirschenson. Later in his life, Joel moved to the United States to start a new chapter. He worked hard to build a better life for himself and his future family.
Career and Work Life
In America, Joel worked as a cable splicer to support his family. This job involves connecting and fixing cable wires. But Joel was not just a working man. He was also deeply involved in civil rights activism. He believed strongly in equality and justice for all people. Through his activism work, Joel met many people who shared his values.
Meeting Janet and Building a Family
Joel’s life changed when he met Janet Harris in the San Francisco Bay Area. Janet was an African-American woman from New Orleans who also cared deeply about civil rights. They connected over their shared beliefs, fell in love, and married in their twenties.
Joel and Janet created a beautiful mixed-race family together. They had six children, and all their names started with “J” – a special family tradition. Their children are Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui.
Raising Six Talented Children
Joel and Janet raised their children in different places across America. The family lived in Santa Rosa, California, then moved to Queens, New York, and later to Los Angeles.
All six Smollett children grew up to work in entertainment:
- Jojo Smollett (born August 28, 1977) is an actor who loves cooking. He wrote a cookbook with his siblings called “The Family Table.”
- Jazz Smollett worked as a child actress and now works as a producer and writer.
- Jussie Smollett (born June 21, 1982) became famous for playing Jamal Lyon on “Empire.” He is also a singer and director.
- Jurnee Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is a successful actress known for shows like “Lovecraft Country” and “Underground.”
- Jake Smollett also worked in acting with his family.
- Jocqui Smollett is the youngest and worked in entertainment and at a tech company.
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Joel as a Father
Even though Joel worked long hours, he tried his best to be a good father. There were times when work kept him away from home, but he always stayed in touch with his children and showed them love.
Joel taught his children strong values. He believed in hard work, creativity, kindness, and standing up for what is right. He encouraged each child to follow their dreams and develop their own talents. Jussie once said that his father was protective and cared deeply about his children’s safety.
Joel’s Battle with Cancer
In his later years, Joel was diagnosed with cancer and fought bravely against the disease. His family stayed close to him during this hard time. Sadly, Joel passed away on January 7, 2015, at the age of 58. The family kept private details about his illness.
A Heartbreaking Day for the Family
Joel’s death was especially painful for his son Jussie. January 7, 2015, was also the day that Jussie’s TV show “Empire” premiered. This meant that one of the biggest moments in Jussie’s career happened on the same day he lost his father.
The next day, Jussie posted a message on Instagram to honor his father. He wrote: “Yesterday, January 7, 2015, my family lost our king but we gained a righteous angel. You showed us the deepest strength and dignity until your very last breath. You are not just a fighter… You are the CHAMP.”
Jussie dedicated the first episode of “Empire” to his father’s memory. It was his way of showing that his father was always with him, even in his success.
Joel’s Legacy
Today, Joel Smollett is remembered as the strong foundation of the Smollett family. He may not have been a celebrity himself, but his influence can be seen in the success of all his children. Each of them carries forward the values he taught them.
The Smollett children often speak about their father with love and respect. On special occasions, they remember him and share how much he meant to them. Joel’s story shows that being a good parent means loving your children, teaching them right from wrong, and helping them become the best versions of themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Joel Smollett?
Joel Smollett was the father of six children who work in entertainment, including actors Jussie and Jurnee Smollett. He worked as a cable splicer and was also a civil rights activist.
2. How did Joel Smollett die?
Joel Smollett died from cancer on January 7, 2015. He was 58 years old when he passed away. His family did not share what type of cancer he had.
3. How many children did Joel Smollett have?
Joel Smollett had six children with his wife Janet: Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui. All of them work in the entertainment industry.
4. What was Joel Smollett’s background?
Joel Smollett was born in Russia on October 8, 1956. He was of Jewish heritage with Russian and Polish roots. He later moved to the United States and became an American citizen.
5. Who was Joel Smollett married to?
Joel Smollett was married to Janet Harris Smollett. They met while working on civil rights causes in the San Francisco Bay Area and stayed together until Joel’s death in 2015.
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