Jussie Smollett, Parents of the Next Global Superstar

Jussie Smollett, Parents of the Next Global Superstar
Fans can’t wait for Empire Season 3, Fox’s next installment of their enjoyable hip-hop drama.  Empire’s Season 3 premiere episode is still more than 3 months away therefore we have to find ways to fill the gap!


Empire fans recently enjoyed the Empire Christmas Special, as many are beginning to accept the fact that they will be without their favorite television show until Empire Season 3. Fox’s hit series will actually still be in its second season when it returns yet Empire fans have begun referring to the March 2016 episode as the Empire Season 3 premiere.  


The Empire Christmas Special featured all of our favorite member of the Lyon family including Cookie, Lucious and Hakeem.  While we love all of the show’s stars, Jamal Lyon’s season was the most unforgettable.

The Lyon family may be dysfunctional but Cookie and Lucious are trying their best.  Jamal Lyon is played by actor Jussie Smollett who has amazing parents of his own.

Jussie Smollett Parents
Jussie Smollett’s Parents

Jussie Smollett’s parents did a wonderful job to say the least.  Sadly, Jussie Smollett’s father, Joel Smollett, Sr. passed away on the day Empire premiered.  Joel was Ashkenazi Jewish from a family from Russia and Poland.  He was 58-years-old when he lost his battle with cancer.

Smollett’s mother, Janet Smollett is one of Empire’s biggest fans.  She calls Jussie every Empire-Wednesday and they break down every element of the show.  Along with being a devoted Empire fan, Janet Smollett is a humanitarian as well as a civil rights activist.

Jussie Smollett's Parents
Jussie Smollett’s Parents

In 1997, Smollett’s parents separated.  In 2003 the former couple finalized their six-year separation with divorce.  Jussie’s parents worked hard to provide their children with an excellent education via home-schooling.

One of the most important things that parents can do for their children is model the kind of person we would like them to be.  Joel and Janet Smollett knew that Jussie would learn more from who they were rather than what they taught.  Jussie Smollett proves that excellent parenting is a gift that keeps on giving!