The Smollett family stands out in the entertainment industry as a tight-knit group of six siblings who grew up working in film, television, and music. While public attention often zeroes in on individual headlines or specific breakout roles, the actual sibling dynamic involves a shared childhood in California and New York, early commercial acting gigs, and enduring artistic careers spanning decades.
Understanding the Smollett family requires separating viral media narratives from verifiable career milestones. From early childhood sitcom appearances to major studio films and television dramas, all six siblings—Jojo, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jocqui, and Jazz—spent their formative years navigating professional sets together. This overview examines who the siblings are, their distinct professional trajectories, and the reality of growing up as a large family of child actors in Hollywood.
Early Beginnings and Family Background
Born to Joel and Janet Smollett, the six siblings grew up in a household where performance was a constant presence. Their mother actively managed early auditions and career steps, moving the family between various cities, including New York and Los Angeles, to support their pursuits in the entertainment industry.
Unlike families where only one child breaks into acting, the Smolletts operated almost as a collective unit during the late 1980s and 1990s. Commercials, print modeling, and background work filled their schedules. That collective start built a foundation of mutual support, though each sibling eventually gravitated toward different sectors of media, ranging from acting and directing to music production and technology.
The Six Smollett Siblings: Individual Trajectories
The family consists of four brothers and two sisters, spanning a range of birth years and creative specialties.
Jojo Smollett
As the eldest sibling, Jojo (born Joselyn, though commonly known professionally or in family credits by variations of his name) was often at the forefront of the early sibling ventures. While he appeared in early television projects and commercials alongside his brothers and sisters, Jojo transitioned into behind-the-scenes production and management roles later in life, supporting family ventures and independent media projects.
Jussie Smollett
Jussie gained widespread recognition as Jamal Lyon in the Fox musical drama series Empire, which premiered in 2015. Before Empire, he acted as a child alongside his siblings in projects like the short-lived ABC sitcom On Our Own (1994-1995), where all six children played orphaned siblings. His career experienced a sharp downturn following highly publicized legal controversies in 2019 regarding a staged incident in Chicago. Since then, he has worked independently on independent film projects and music production.
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee has maintained the most consistently prominent acting career among the siblings. She first captured national attention as a child actor in Eve's Bayou (1997), earning critical acclaim for her role as Eve Batiste. Her television credits include standout performances in Friday Night Lights, Underground, True Blood, and HBO's Lovecraft Country, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She also stepped into blockbuster territory starring as Black Canary in DC's Birds of Prey (2020), available via IMDb.
Jake Smollett
Jake carved out a dual path in acting and culinary arts. As a child, he appeared alongside his siblings in On Our Own and various commercial spots. As an adult, Jake combined his background in entertainment with cooking, appearing on lifestyle and food television networks, publishing cookbooks, and hosting culinary segments that emphasize family-style meals and southern-inspired cuisine.
Jocqui Smollett
The youngest of the siblings, Jocqui also participated in early family acting projects and media appearances. In adulthood, he transitioned away from traditional on-camera performance toward technology, media production, and digital strategy, frequently collaborating with his family behind the scenes on digital content and archival projects.
Jazz Smollett
Jazz worked both in front of and behind the camera, contributing to television production, casting, and lifestyle programming. She often serves as a producer and coordinator for family-backed media ventures, utilizing her organizational background to manage collaborative projects across film and television.
Common Misconceptions and Media Realities
Because public interest in the family often surges around specific news cycles, several misconceptions persist regarding their upbringing and professional standing.
- Not all siblings remained in professional acting: While all six children worked in entertainment during their youth, only a few maintained full-time on-camera careers into adulthood.
- The "On Our Own" sitcom was a turning point: The 1994 ABC series was unique because it cast all six biological siblings as the main characters, which cemented their visibility as a sibling ensemble early on.
- Independent paths: Despite their tight-knit family branding, each sibling operates through separate corporate entities and distinct professional representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many siblings are in the Smollett family?
There are six Smollett siblings in total: four brothers (Jojo, Jussie, Jake, Jocqui) and two sisters (Jurnee, Jazz).
Did all six siblings star in a television show together?
Yes. In 1994, all six real-life siblings starred together in the short-lived ABC sitcom On Our Own, playing a family of orphaned children trying to stay together in New York City.
Which Smollett sibling has won major acting awards?
Jurnee Smollett has received the most critical recognition, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for her starring role in HBO's Lovecraft Country and widespread acclaim for her performance in the film Eve's Bayou.
Are the Smollett siblings still active in Hollywood?
Jurnee continues to work consistently in major film and television projects. Other siblings, such as Jake and Jazz, focus on culinary arts, lifestyle media, and behind-the-scenes production, while Jussie works primarily in independent film and music.
