Joel Smollett: Everything We Know About Guardian of the Smollett Family

joel smollett bio

Late Smollett, a cable splicer, is the king and the guardian of Smollett family. He is of Jewish descent and migrated from Russia and Poland to America. He married a beautiful African- American woman, Janet Smollett. Joel Smollett is not a well-known personality but rather known through his famous children.

All of his children are renowned American actors, producers, and musicians namely Jussie, Jake, Jazz, Jocqui, Jojo, and Jurnee Smollett.

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Smollett Had a Big Family: Six Kids and a Loving Wife

Joel Smollett personal Life

Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956. He migrated from Russia and Poland to America. He married Janet Smollett and the couple were blessed with six children. All of his children are successful in their respective careers.

Joel Smollett’s children have left a significant mark in the movie industry. Most of them are young actors/actresses who undeniably have a bright future ahead of them. Joel was a capable father who was likely a contributory factor leading to his children’s achievement.

The father of two daughters and four sons died at the age of 58, on January 7, 2014. He lost his battle with cancer. Currently, his wife Janet lives together with her children. Since the death of her husband, she has been living a single life and there is no news of her affairs with anyone.

Joel‘s Kids are into the Acting Business

Joel Smollett is better known through his famous kids who have pursued their careers in acting, modeling, and in music. All of them are popular for their name and fame in Hollywood. They even love to work together as apparent when the Smollett kids starred in 90’s popular ABC series; ‘On Our Own’.

Jojo Smollett

Jojo was born on August 28, 1977, in California, as the first son of Joel and Janet. He has three brothers and two sisters. Jojo is an actor and producer. He is famous for his works in movies like City of Hope (1991), The Practice (1991), and Roseanne (1988). Besides these, Jojo Smollett had appeared in the show  ‘On Our Own’ with his siblings.

Jazz Smollett  

Jazz Smollett Warwell, born on April 1, 1980, is an actress from Northern California who has also been working as a producer. In 1994, Jazz first stepped into the entertainment world with a role in the family sitcom, ‘On Our Own’. Being the eldest sister in her well- known family, she has helped her parents raise her siblings.

Jazz is married to the love of her life, producer Troy Warwell since 2012. The couple has a baby daughter however their personal details are kept a secret. Apparently, both Jazz and Troy work in the entertainment industry. Jazz often assists her producer husband Mr. Warwell with his movie projects as a co-producer and an actress.

Since 2019, Jazz has been collaborating with her younger brother Jake for the reality TV show Living By Design. In the show, the siblings help millennials remake and style their small homes. While Jake is responsible for crafting or refurbishing furniture, Jazz provides the home owners with affordable designs.

Jussie Smollet

Born on June 21, 1982, Jussie also known as Justin, is an actor, photographer, and a singer by profession. Justin has worked on movies and TV series like Empire (2015-2019), The Mighty Ducks (1992), and Allen Covenant (2017). Unfortunately, he lost his role model, his dad at the premiere of his TV series ‘Empire’. Jussie posted a throwback picture with his dad on his official Instagram profile to confirm news about his deceased father with a caption:

“Yesterday, January 7, 2015, my family lost our king but we gained a righteous angel. Showed us the deepest strength and dignity until your very last breath. You are not just a fighter… You are the CHAMP.

In 2019, Jussie claimed to be a victim of a hate crime while walking his downtown Chicago neighborhood. The police later confirmed that the attack was staged by Jussie with the help of two acquaintances. Initially, Jussie was charged with filing a false police report. However the charges were dropped after he completed his community service and payed $10,000. In 2020, he was re-indicted and was convicted on five counts in December 2021. On March 10, 2022, he was sentenced to serve 150 days in county jail and two and a half years on probation. Besides this, he was also ordered to pay $130,000 in restitution. The decision was upheld on appeal in 2023 however the Illinois Supreme Court later reversed the conviction in 2024.

Jurnee Smollett

Joel Smollett Daughter

She is the second daughter and fourth child of Joel and Janet. The American actress also began her career with the comedy show “On Our Own” along with her siblings. Jurnee has been awarded as the ‘Best Younger Performer’ for the movie ‘Choice’ and for outstanding actress in a motion picture in 2008. She started working in the campaigns that help prevent HIV AIDS from the age of 11 years, inspired by a girl named Hydeia Broadbent, a survivor of full flown AIDS back in 1989.

Over the years, Jurnee has continued to work in small and big movies and TV series. These includes Temptation: Confession of a Marriage Counsellor (2013), Birds of Prey (2020), Friday Night Lights (2009-2011), True Blood (2013-2014) and Lovecraft Country (2020). She went on receive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for Lovecraft Country.

Jake Smollett

Like his five siblings, he is also an American actor. He was born on July 29, 1989. Jake has showcased his acting talent in movies like Eve’s Bayou (1997), The Middleman (2008) and On Our Own (1994). Jake has an enormous fan following in social media. He has 128k followers on Instagram, more than 7.5k followers on Twitter, and more than 7.2k followers on Facebook.

Apart from this, Jake has also successfully ventured into other careers. He is a celebrity chef, TV host and best-selling cookbook author. Additionally, Jake is known to be a very talented designer and builder. This has been apparent from his new hit reality show Living By Design with Jake and Jazz. The show has showcased his finesse in redesigning home for comfort, functionality and the personality of the owner.

Jocqui Smollett

Jocqui Smollett, born on August 2, 1993, is the youngest and talented sibling of the Smollett family. He is known for playing the role of ‘Jarreau Jerrico in On Our Own. He came back to the industry with the television show ‘Smollett Eats in 2016’. Jocqui is also a technologist and the founder of Hosted Incorporation.

Joel Died Suffering From Cancer

The king and the pillar of the Smollett family died at the age of 58. Joel Smollett lost his battle for life with cancer on January 7, 2015. He was a supporting father and a loving husband. Smollett was an inspiration for his kids. His children keep on remembering him. His daughter Jurnee posted a heartful post on Instagram on the Fathers’ Day with the caption as:

Love You Dad. Keep flying high up there. Till we meet again.. Love your little girl.

He has always taught his children to work hard and to help others. His daughter Jurnee Smollett is supporting foundations and charities like Nelson Mandela Children’s Foundation, Children Defense Funds, etc. Smollett family has been conducting campaigns for civil rights.

How Rich was Joel?

The late Joel Smollett’s net worth has never been disclosed till date. But, what we can assume that being the father of famous children, he must have collected a decent amount in his life. He is tagged as the struggling father who gave his best to raise his children and make their life better. As of now, his children who are in the media industry are all doing well and are able to increase their paycheck.

10 thoughts on “Joel Smollett: Everything We Know About Guardian of the Smollett Family

  1. I remember seeing this family way back in the early eighties downtown in Cleveland OH at Fuddruckers. I thought too myself what a gorgeous bunch of youngins they are, and as I see them now all grown up and living out their dreams and pursuing successful careers, just want to say God Bless Them Always and job well done to their parents.

  2. What s blessed and loving family! So blessed to have parents who believed in their children and guidance they gave to them!!! Many Blessings and prosper spiritually!!! God be with you All!!!!!!!! More Films -Music -Cooking – Producing and More!!!

  3. Considering the criminal case against Josse, and his reams of perjury in testimony, it appears that lying was encouraged in this ‘family.’ Untalented bunch of mutts.

    1. To jeb stuart – how dare you..call someone a mutt, i bet you can trace your history back but here is the punchline jeb there is no master race jeb. While you may have your opinion their fan base and paycheck says otherwise.

  4. Jeb Stuart ur the only mutt on here, he knows whom his parentage is. And you don’t know any thing about his family racist.

  5. Jeb Stewart who are you to judge keep your trolling , prejudice comments to yourself. Who you calling a mutt? I bet you don’t have nothing!!!!

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