Who Was Joel Smollett? The Untold Story of Jussie Smollett’s Father

Behind every strong family is someone who holds everything together. For the Smollett family, that person was Joel Smollett — a proud father, a hard worker, and a quiet hero. While many people know his son Jussie Smollett from the hit show Empire, few know the story of the man who raised him.

Joel didn’t chase fame. He focused on family. He believed in hard work, standing up for what’s right, and helping his children become the best version of themselves. In this article, we’ll explore the untold story of Jussie Smollett’s father, from his early life to the powerful legacy he left behind.

Joel Smollett Quick Bio


Full Name	Joel Smollett
Known As	Jussie Smollett’s Father
Birthdate	October 8, 1956
Birthplace	Russia
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	Jewish-Russian-Polish
Religion	Jewish
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Height	5′ 7″ (170 cm)
Eye Color	Dark Brown
Hair Color	Black
Wife	Janet Smollett
Children	Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jocqui
Job	Cable Splicer, Civil Rights Activist
Net Worth (Est.)	Around $500,000
Cause of Death	Cancer (type not shared)
Date of Death	January 7, 2015
Age at Death	58 Years Old

Who Was Joel Smollett?

Joel Smollett was best known as Jussie Smollett’s father and the head of a big, talented family. He was not famous himself, but he became known because of his six children, all of whom became actors and artists.

People call Joel the “patriarch of the Smollett family”. That means he was the strong leader of the family. His love, patience, and support helped his kids shine in Hollywood while staying close as a family.

Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956, in Russia. He also spent part of his early life in Poland before moving to the United States with his family. It wasn’t easy growing up in a new country, but Joel learned important lessons from those early days — like being strong and staying true to your values.

His parents were Jewish, and they taught him the importance of family, faith, and hard work. These are the same values Joel passed down to his own children later in life.

Joel Smollett’s Family Background

Joel’s family came from a Jewish-Russian-Polish background. His father was named Peter Smollett, and his mother was Molly Hirschenson. They worked hard to give Joel and his sibling a better life in America.

Not much is known about Joel’s sibling, but what we do know is that Joel grew up surrounded by strong family values. He learned that life isn’t always easy — but with love, unity, and courage, you can build something special.

What Did Joel Smollett Do?

Joel Smollett wasn’t a celebrity, but he worked hard every single day. He had a job as a cable splicer, which means he worked with wires and cables to help provide phone and internet services. It was tough work, but he did it to support his family.

Along with his job, Joel also cared about making the world a better place. He became a civil rights activist, standing up for justice and equality. He believed that everyone deserves respect, no matter their background. This made him not just a provider — but a role model.

Joel Smollett and Janet Smollett’s Love Story

Joel’s life changed when he met Janet Smollett, a passionate woman from New Orleans who also believed in civil rights. They met in the San Francisco Bay Area during a time when both were working for change.

Their bond was strong from the beginning. Even though they came from different races and cultures, they shared the same dream: to raise a loving and united family. They got married in their twenties and built a warm home filled with love, discipline, and inspiration.

How Many Kids Did Joel Smollett Have?

Joel and Janet Smollett had six children together. And here’s something fun — all of their names start with the letter “J”! This was a small way to remind the kids that they were a team.

Let’s take a quick look at their six children:

Jojo Smollett (born 1977) – Actor and producer.
Jazz Smollett (born 1980) – Actress, producer, and cookbook author.
Jussie Smollett (born 1982) – Actor, singer, and director (Empire).
Jurnee Smollett (born 1986) – Award-winning actress (Lovecraft Country).
Jake Smollett (born 1989) – Actor, TV host, and celebrity chef.
Jocqui Smollett (born 1993) – Actor turned tech entrepreneur.

All six kids were raised in a creative, caring home — and they all became successful in their own ways. That’s a big part of Joel Smollett’s legacy.

Among all the kids, Jussie Smollett became one of the most well-known. He starred as Jamal Lyon on the show Empire and also works as a singer and producer. But behind the fame, Jussie always talked about how much his father meant to him.

Jussie said that Joel was more than just a dad — he was his hero. Joel supported Jussie through his ups and downs, and even before Jussie became famous, Joel believed in his talent. Their bond was strong, filled with respect, trust, and love.

When Joel passed away in 2015, Jussie shared a touching tribute on Instagram. He called his dad a “king” and a “champ,” showing how much he was loved and admired.

Joel Smollett and Jurnee Smollett’s Special Connection

Jurnee Smollett is one of Joel’s most successful daughters. She began acting as a child and grew into a powerful actress in movies and shows like Eve’s Bayou, Underground, and Lovecraft Country.

Joel was very proud of her. He always supported her dreams and helped her stay focused. Jurnee has said in interviews that her father taught her to be strong, proud of who she is, and never give up — no matter what. Their bond was filled with love, trust, and deep understanding.

Just like Jussie, Jurnee often speaks about how her father’s quiet strength gave her courage. She carries his values into every role she plays. Joel didn’t just raise talented children — he raised kind, determined human beings.

Joel Smollett’s Way of Raising His Kids

Joel Smollett was not a loud or strict parent. He led with love and calm strength. He believed that kids should be free to be creative, but also respectful and responsible. He was patient, but he also taught his children to stand tall and never forget where they came from.

In the Smollett home, family came first. Joel made sure his kids always supported one another, just like a team. Even when he was working long hours, he stayed close with his children. He called them often, listened to them, and showed up when it mattered most.

Many people admire how close the Smollett siblings are today. That strong family bond started with Joel Smollett’s parenting. His home was built on trust, love, and honesty — things that helped all his kids become successful and stay grounded.

Joel Smollett’s Battle with Cancer

Sadly, Joel Smollett’s life was cut short. In the early 2010s, he was diagnosed with cancer. The exact type was never shared by the family, but it was a hard and painful journey.

He passed away on January 7, 2015, at just 58 years old. His children were by his side during this difficult time. They did everything they could to care for him, and they never left him alone.

Jussie Smollett once said that his father was a “champ” — even in his final days. He stayed strong and kind, even while fighting cancer. His death came just one day before Empire premiered, making it a deeply emotional time for the family. While Jussie was stepping into the spotlight, he was also saying goodbye to his greatest hero.

Joel Smollett’s Legacy Lives On

Even though Joel Smollett is no longer here, his spirit lives on in every part of his family. His six children continue to share his values — hard work, kindness, and unity. They speak about him with deep love and respect.

Joel didn’t need to be famous to leave a mark. His real success was the family he raised. Today, fans around the world know and love the Smollett siblings, and they all carry a part of their father in their hearts and their work.

When you see Jussie acting or Jurnee speaking out on justice issues, you’re seeing Joel’s influence. His quiet leadership helped build one of Hollywood’s most inspiring families.

Lesser-Known Facts About Joel Smollett

Here are some simple facts you might not know about Jussie Smollett’s father, Joel:

He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with dark brown eyes and black hair.
He never liked being labeled by race and believed in seeing people for who they are.
He met his wife Janet during a civil rights campaign in the Bay Area.
All six of his children have names starting with the letter “J” — a sweet way to keep the family connected.
Though he stayed out of the spotlight, he was known as a deep thinker, a protector, and a man of honor.

Final Thoughts

Joel Smollett’s life was not about fame or money. It was about love, family, and doing the right thing. He worked hard every day to build a better life for his wife and kids — and he succeeded.

His story reminds us that the people who make the biggest impact are not always the ones on TV. Sometimes, the true heroes are behind the scenes — loving, teaching, guiding.

Jussie Smollett’s father, Joel Smollett, was one of those heroes. His life may have ended in 2015, but his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of his children and everyone inspired by their story.