Jurnee Smollett is an American actress. During her early years, Jurnee Smollett worked as a child actor on the comedies "Full House" and "On Our Own." As an adult, she continued to appear as a star on a variety of programs, including "Friday Night Lights," "The Defenders," "True Blood," "Underground," and "Lovecraft Country."
Smollett's credits on the big screen include the motion pictures "Eve's Bayou," "Gridiron Gang," "The Great Debaters," and "Birds of Prey." Jussie Smollett, a contentious "Empire" star, is Jurnee's brother. Learn more about Jurnee Smollett net worth, career, earnings, relationships, interesting facts as well as assets of the actress. Janet and Joel welcomed Jurnee Smollett into the world on October 1, 1986 in New York City, New York. Her father is Jewish and has Russian, Romanian, and Polish heritage; her mother is black. Jazz is Smollett's sister, while his other siblings are Jussie, Jake, JoJo, and Jocqui.
In 1992, Smollett made her acting debut as a child actor in episodes of the comedies "Out All Night" and "Martin." She debuted in the same year as Denise Frazer, a recurrent character on the comedy "Full House," a part she had previously performed on "Hangin' with Mr. Cooper."
Name | Jurnee Smollett |
Date Of Birth | Oct 1, 1986 |
Place Of Birth | New York City |
Gender | Female |
Profession | Actor |
Nationality | United States of America |
Net Worth | $6 Million |
Jurnee Smollett at a conference From 1994 to 1995, Smollett appeared in her first major television role with her five brothers in the ephemeral comedy "On Our Own." She then made an appearance in an episode of "NYPD Blue" after the program had ended. Smollett's second major role was in the short-lived comedy "Cosby" from 1998 to 2000, for which she won two NAACP Image Awards.
Next, Smollett was featured in the historical television movie "Selma, Lord, Selma," and then he had an appearance in an episode of the animated anthology series "Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child." She played the character's daughter in the television movie "Ruby's Bucket of Blood" starring Angela Bassett in 2001.
After making appearances on "Strong Medicine" and "ER" episodes in 2002, Smollett had a recurring part on Wanda Sykes' comedy "Wanda at Large." She then made an appearance in episodes of the medical dramas "House" and "Grey's Anatomy." From 2009 through 2011, Smollett played Jess Merriweather in the sports drama series "Friday Night Lights," which was one of her most major roles.
She also appeared in the brief-lived courtroom drama "The Defenders" with Jerry O'Connell and Jim Belushi around this period. Later, Smollett had a major part in the last two seasons of the HBO vampire thriller "True Blood," as well as a recurrent role in "The Mob Doctor."
She made many appearances in episodes of the family comedy "Parenthood" and the medical drama "Do No Harm" in 2013. Rosalee, a domestic slave, was Smollett's primary character from 2016 to 2017 in the historical drama "Underground." In 2020, she was cast in a major part in the HBO series "Lovecraft Country," in which she played photojournalist Letitia "Leti" Lewis.
In 1996's "Jack," directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Robin Williams, Smollett made her big-screen debut. She won praise from critics the following year for her performance as the lead in the Southern Gothic drama "Eve's Bayou," in which she played a Creole youngster growing up in an affluent Louisiana neighborhood in the 1960s with Samuel L. Jackson, Debbi Morgan, and Lynn Whitfield. Smollett received an NAACP Image Award nomination for her performance.
The year 2000's "Beautiful Joe," starring Sharon Stone and Billy Connolly, gave her her next acting opportunity. Five years later, Smollett made an appearance in the rollerblading movie "Roll Bounce" with Bow Wow and Brandon T. Jackson. Later, in 2006, she made an appearance in Dwayne Johnson's football drama "Gridiron Gang."
Smollett appeared in the historical drama "The Great Debaters," starring Denzel Washington, in 2007 and delivered one of her most well-regarded performances to date. She portrayed Samantha Booke, the only female debater at Texas' historically black Wiley College, in the movie. Smollett's portrayal earned her the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. She appeared in Tyler Perry's 2013 romance thriller "Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor" for her subsequent leading part. After that, three years later, Smollett played Juanita Leonard, the spouse of boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, in the historical sports drama "Hands of Stone." She then appeared in "One Last Thing," the superhero movie based on DC Comics "Birds of Prey," and the action science fiction movie "Escape from Spiderhead," which also starred Chris Hemsworth and Miles Teller.
Jurnee Smollett was married to Josiah Bell. Josiah Bell is a musician, and the couple got married on October 24, 2010. They have been together for several years and have been seen together at various public events and on social media. They had a son named Hunter in 2016, and divorced in 2020.
She and her husband, musician Josiah Bell, have a son together.
Jurnee Smollett has a $6 million net worth as of 2023. She gained her wealth by working as an actress in movies and television shows. In addition, Jurnee has a sizable following on social media. For her performance in Lovecraft Country, Jurnee Smollett was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.
Recently, Jurnee Smollett spent $800,000 USD on a McLaren GT. Additionally, Jurnee Smollett owns a $110,000 USD Volvo XC60. Below is a list of a few other vehicles that Jurnee Smollett owns.
- Lincoln Corsair
- BMW X9
- Porsche Macan
In San Francisco, Jurnee Smollett lives in a 7,000-square-foot luxurious condominium. The home that Jurnee Smollett purchased cost him an estimated $4 million.
In this inspiring historical drama, Jurnee played the role of Samantha Booke, a student at Wiley College, who participates in a debate team led by Denzel Washington's character.
Domestic Box Office | $30,226,144 |
International Box Office | $35,149 |
Worldwide Box Office | $30,261,293 |
Jurnee had a supporting role in this biographical sports drama, playing Juanita Leonard, the wife of famous boxer Sugar Ray Leonard, portrayed by Usher Raymond. The life of Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran, who made his professional debut in 1968 at the age of 16 and retired in 2002 at the age of 50.
He won the WBC welterweight championship by defeating Sugar Ray Leonard in June 1980, but he startled the boxing world by going back to his corner for their rematch in November and memorably uttering the phrase "no mas."
Domestic Box Office | $4,712,792 |
International Box Office | $319,183 |
Worldwide Box Office | $5,031,975 |
In this coming-of-age comedy-drama set in the 1970s, Jurnee Smollett plays the character Tori, who is part of a roller-skating team.
Domestic Box Office | $17,380,866 |
International Box Office | $52,206 |
Worldwide Box Office | $17,433,072 |
In this drama series, Jurnee Smollett portrayed the character Rosalee, a brave slave escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Domestic Box Office | $30,226,144 |
International Box Office | $35,149 |
Worldwide Box Office | $30,261,293 |
Judith is an ambitious married woman whose temptation by a handsome billionaire leads to betrayal, and recklessness and forever alters the course of her life.
Domestic Box Office | $51,975,354 |
International Box Office | $1,167,790 |
Worldwide Box Office | $53,143,144 |
Jurnee Smollett wearing a white dress Here are some of Jurnee Smollett’s notable awards and achievements:
- Audie Awards 2010: Audiobook of the Year (Nelson Mandela’s Favorite African Folktales) – Multi-Voiced Performance
- Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 1997: Best Young Performer (Eve’s Bayou)
- Critics’ Choice Super Awards 2021: Best Actress in a Horror Series (Lovecraft Country)
- NAACP Image Awards 1999: Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress (Cosby) – Won
- NAACP Image Awards 2000: Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress (Cosby) – Won
- NAACP Image Awards 2008: Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (The Great Debaters) – Won
- San Diego Film Critics Society 1997: Best Supporting Actress (Eve’s Bayou) – Won
Smollett has been actively engaged in projects to increase public awareness of HIV/AIDS ever since she was a little child. When a cast member of her program "On Our Own" died from the illness when she was seven, she was inspired to care about this issue. Along with collaborating with the Black AIDS Institute and Red Cross, Smollett has collaborated with survivor Hydeia Broadbent. She also spoke at the Ryan White Youth Conference and is a member of the boards of directorsfor the organization's Children's Defense Fund and Artists for a New South Africa. - Jurnee Smollett began her acting career at a young age, appearing in commercials and TV shows alongside her siblings.
- Her breakthrough role came in 1997 when she starred as Eve Batiste in the critically acclaimed film "Eve's Bayou."
- Jurnee comes from a family of actors, with her siblings also involved in the entertainment industry.
- As a child star, she gained fame through her role in the popular sitcom "On Our Own" (1994-1995).
- Throughout her career, she has displayed versatility by taking on a wide range of roles in film and television.
- Her role as Rosalee in the TV series "Underground" (2016-2017) garnered significant praise and recognition.
- Jurnee Smollett has received numerous awards and nominations for her outstanding performances, including an NAACP Image Award.
- Apart from her acting work, she engages in philanthropy, supporting organizations focused on empowering underprivileged youth and promoting education.
- Jurnee has a passion for travel and often shares her adventures on social media, giving fans a glimpse of her explorations around the world.
Jurnee Smollett began her acting career at the age of four, appearing in commercials and television shows alongside her siblings.
Her breakout role came in 1997 when she portrayed the lead character, Eve Batiste, in the critically acclaimed film "Eve's Bayou."
No, Jurnee comes from a family of actors. Her siblings also have careers in the entertainment industry, including her twin brother, Jussie Smollett, who is also a well-known actor and musician.
One of her significant TV roles was as Rosalee in the series "Underground" (2016-2017), where she portrayed a brave slave escaping to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
In conclusion, Jurnee Smollett is a talented and versatile actress who began her acting career at a young age. Her breakout role in the film "Eve's Bayou" brought her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. Coming from a family of actors, she has established herself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Jurnee's notable TV roles, including her portrayal of Rosalee in "Underground," have further showcased her acting prowess. Her philanthropic endeavors reflect her commitment to empowering underprivileged youth and promoting education. With a passion for travel, she shares her adventures with her fans on social media. As of my last update in September 2021, Jurnee Smollett's career continues to flourish, and she remains a prominent figure in both the entertainment industry and social activism.