You’ve probably heard of Jussie Smollett from the hit show Empire, right? And maybe you know Jurnee Smollett from her amazing roles in everything from Eve’s Bayou to Birds of Prey.
But here’s what most people don’t know.
Behind these talented siblings stands a father whose own story shaped Hollywood history. Joel Smollett didn’t just raise six kids. According to a 2020 report from Essence, the Smollett family moved around as many as 13 times during the children’s upbringing, with Joel working tirelessly as a cable splicer to keep his family together. He built something even more remarkable: a legacy of activism, creativity, and unshakeable family bonds that still inspires people today.
I’m going to walk you through Joel’s journey, from his roots in Russia to becoming the father behind one of Hollywood’s most creative families. You’ll discover how a civil rights champion and working-class dad created a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the entertainment world.
Key Takeaways
- Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956, to Polish-Jewish parents Peter Smollett and Molly Hirschenson and immigrated from Russia through Poland to the United States.
- He worked as a cable splicer while championing civil rights in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he met his wife, Janet, in the late 1970s during activism work.
- All six of his children pursued entertainment careers, collaborating on projects like the 1994 ABC sitcom On Our Own and the 2018 cookbook The Family Table.
- Joel passed away on January 7, 2015, at age 58 after battling cancer, leaving behind a powerful legacy of social justice and artistic excellence.
- His influence continues through his children’s activism and success, with each sibling crediting their father’s values for shaping their careers and commitment to equality.
Joel Smollett: Early Life and Heritage
Joel’s story begins on October 8, 1956, in Russia. His parents, Peter Smollett and Molly Hirschenson, were Polish Jews who faced discrimination in Poland before making the brave decision to immigrate to the United States when Joel was in his late teens.
Growing up, Joel was raised in the Jewish faith. His heritage wasn’t just background noise. It was central to who he became.
The family’s immigration journey took them through Poland before they finally settled in the United States, where Joel became an American citizen. Standing at five feet seven inches with dark brown eyes and black hair, Joel carried the weight of his family’s history with quiet dignity. He had one sibling, though details about them remain private to this day.
Life in New York City exposed young Joel to bustling streets, diverse cultures, and a growing awareness of social justice. Those early experiences with discrimination because of his Jewish heritage planted seeds that would later bloom into his passionate civil rights work. According to sources, Joel’s father would have been deeply offended if anyone tried to define him solely by race or skin color.
This blend of Russian, Polish, and Jewish roots created a unique perspective that Joel would pass down to his children: Jazz, Jojo, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui Smollett.
Joel Smollett’s Role as a Patriarch
After settling in the United States, Joel found work as a cable splicer in the San Francisco Bay Area. This skilled trade provided steady income to support his growing family. But Joel’s impact went far beyond his paycheck.
His influence on the Smollett siblings
Joel met Janet Harris, an African American woman from New Orleans, in the late 1970s while both were actively involved in the civil rights movement. Janet was working alongside legendary activists like Bobby Seale and Huey Newton of the Black Panther Party. According to The New York Times, Janet’s mentor was Julian Bond, and civil rights icon Angela Davis remains one of her closest friends to this day.
Their shared passion for justice created an instant connection. They married in their twenties and started a family in Oakland, California.
Between 1977 and 1993, they welcomed six children. All of them started with the letter J, continuing the family tradition from Joel and Janet. The Smollett household became a creative powerhouse where activism and art went hand in hand.
Here’s something remarkable: all six children appeared together in the ABC sitcom On Our Own, which aired from 1994 to 1995. Jurnee, who was already known from her role on Full House at age 4, paved the way for her siblings to join the show. They played orphaned siblings managing life on their own. The show only lasted one season, but the experience strengthened their bond.
In 2016, the siblings reunited for the Food Network series Smollett Eats, showcasing their family’s love of cooking. Two years later, they co-authored The Family Table: Recipes and Moments from a Nomadic Life, a cookbook that celebrated their diverse culinary heritage and nomadic childhood.
Joel wasn’t always physically present due to his demanding work. The family moved frequently, sometimes as many as 13 times, according to reports. But he remained a devoted father who stayed connected, encouraged their dreams, and modeled the importance of standing up for what’s right. His children often credit him as their hero and primary source of inspiration.
Legacy and Impact of Joel Smollett
Joel and Janet created a household where creativity wasn’t optional. It was expected.
According to interviews with The New York Times, Jussie described how family gatherings always included performances. “You put on shows,” he said, explaining that with so many kids, they had complete productions. Janet would build long wooden tables out of planks of hardwood whenever they moved to a new home, creating a central gathering place where the children would sing, perform plays, and bond over food.
Joel’s civil rights work in the San Francisco Bay Area wasn’t a side hobby. It was a calling. He stood shoulder-to-shoulder with activists fighting for equality and justice for African Americans. Even while working long hours as a cable splicer, he remained committed to the movement.
That fire for justice burned in his children too. Jurnee was just five years old when she joined her mother at her first protest after the Los Angeles police who beat Rodney King were acquitted. The Smollett children have continued this legacy, speaking out for HIV/AIDS prevention, supporting Black Lives Matter, and advocating for LGBTQ rights.
Joel’s influence shows up in every NAACP Image Award his children have won, in every role they’ve taken that pushes for representation, and in every interview where they speak about equality. Jojo works at a nonprofit organization. Jocqui focuses on economic justice and real estate. Jake has used his platform as a celebrity chef to bring people together. Jazz co-hosts Living by Design with Jake and Jazz, celebrating family and creativity.
Jussie’s groundbreaking portrayal of Jamal Lyon, a gay musician, on Empire was hailed as a positive depiction of a Black gay man on television. Jurnee’s roles in Underground and Lovecraft Country continue to tell stories of resilience and justice.
On January 7, 2015, Joel Smollett lost his battle with cancer at age 58. The family chose not to disclose the specific type of cancer. One day after his death, Jussie posted a heartfelt tribute on Instagram: “Yesterday, January 7, 2015, my family lost our king, but we gained a righteous angel. You showed the deepest strength and dignity until your very last breath.”
His legacy lives on through six children who refuse to forget where they came from.
Takeaways
Joel Smollett’s life wasn’t glamorous. He worked with his hands, moved his family constantly, and battled cancer until the very end.
But what he built was extraordinary.
He raised six children who all found success in entertainment. He championed civil rights when it was dangerous. He showed his kids that love, hard work, and fighting for justice matter more than fame. Every time you see Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jazz, Jojo, or Jocqui on screen or speaking out for change, you’re seeing Joel’s values in action. His footprints are bigger than any Hollywood star’s on a sidewalk.
FAQs on Joel Smollett
1. Who was Joel Smollett and why does his story matter?
Joel Smollett was the patriarch of the talented Smollett family, raising six children, including actor Jussie Smollett and actress Jurnee Smollett, with his wife Janet. He is remembered as the hard-working “king” of their family who inspired his children’s careers in entertainment. He passed away at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.
2. What happened during Joel Smollett’s battle with cancer?
After his early symptoms of cancer worsened, Joel Smollett fought the disease surrounded by his loving family until he passed away on January 7, 2015. Following his death, the burial arrangements were managed by Service Corporation International.
3. How did Joel Smollett influence his famous children?
The topic Joel Smollett always comes back to is his profound influence, as his children, from actor and director Jussie to singer JoJo, credit him with teaching them the importance of family and a strong work ethic.
4. What is the connection between Joel Smollett and Lynn Whitfield?
Lynn Whitfield became a close family friend after starring with Joel’s daughter, Jurnee Smollett, in the 2013 movie “Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor.” She was a supportive presence for the Smollett family during Joel’s illness.
5. How is Joel Smollett remembered today?
Joel Smollett’s legacy continues through his children’s successful careers and the values he taught them. Actor Jussie Smollett and the rest of the family often share stories about their father’s guidance, ensuring his memory remains a central part of their lives.
