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If you’ve spent any time watching prestige TV over the last decade, you’ve definitely seen the name Smollett scroll across your screen. Maybe you were hooked on the high-stakes music industry drama of Empire, or perhaps you were floored by the visceral, supernatural intensity of Lovecraft Country. Naturally, when two massive stars share an uncommon last name and a striking resemblance, the internet starts buzzing. People constantly ask: is Jurnee Smollett related to Jussie Smollett?
The short answer is a loud, definitive yes. They aren't just related; they are siblings.
Honestly, they’re part of what might be the most talented, tight-knit family unit in Hollywood history. They aren't distant cousins or people who just happen to share a publicist. We’re talking about a "born in the same house, shared the same cereal bowl" kind of bond.
The Smollett Family Tree: More Than Just Two Stars
To really understand the connection, you have to look at the whole crew. Jurnee and Jussie are two of six siblings. Their parents, Joel and Janet Smollett, raised a literal squad of performers. The full lineup includes:
- Jojo Smollett (The eldest)
- Jazz Smollett
- Jussie Smollett
- Jurnee Smollett
- Jake Smollett
- Jocqui Smollett (The youngest)
They grew up moving back and forth between New York and Los Angeles, basically living the life of a traveling acting troupe. Their mom, Janet, was the driving force, encouraging them to create, sing, and perform from the time they could walk. Jussie once told The New York Times that their house was like the Swiss Family Robinson, but with more musical numbers.
That One Show Where They All Starred Together
Here is a fun bit of trivia most people forget: back in 1994, the entire sibling group starred in their own ABC sitcom called On Our Own. It featured all six Smollett kids playing—you guessed it—siblings.
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While the show only lasted one season, it served as a massive launching pad. Think about how rare that is. Usually, you have one "famous" sibling and a few others who stay out of the spotlight. In this family, almost everyone has a credit on IMDb. Jazz and Jake even have their own lifestyle and cooking shows now, like Living by Design and Smollett Eats. It's a full-blown dynasty.
The Career Paths of Jurnee and Jussie
While they share a DNA pool, their careers have taken very different trajectories.
Jurnee Smollett started as a powerhouse child actor. If you grew up in the 90s, you remember her as Denise Frazer on Full House and Hangin' with Mr. Cooper. She was just a kid, but she had this "it" factor that felt way beyond her years. Then came Eve's Bayou in 1997. Her performance in that film is still cited by critics as one of the best child-acting turns ever.
As an adult, she’s stayed in the "prestige" lane. Friday Night Lights, Underground, and then her massive breakout as Black Canary in Birds of Prey. She’s become a go-to lead for complex, physical, and emotionally demanding roles.
Jussie Smollett, on the other hand, had a slightly more winding path. He did the child actor thing too—most notably in The Mighty Ducks—but he actually stepped away from acting for a long time to focus on music. When he returned to the screen as Jamal Lyon in Empire, he became a household name overnight. The show was a cultural juggernaut, and Jussie was the heart of it.
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Addressing the Elephant in the Room: The Legal Controversy
You can’t talk about whether is Jurnee Smollett related to Jussie Smollett without mentioning the massive headlines from 2019.
When Jussie was accused (and later convicted) of staging a hate crime in Chicago, it wasn't just a personal crisis; it was a family one. Throughout the years of trials, appeals, and intense public scrutiny, Jurnee remained his most vocal supporter.
She hasn't been quiet about it either. In interviews with The Hollywood Reporter, she described the ordeal as "devastating" and "painful." She has consistently maintained his innocence, often using the hashtag #FreeJussie on social media. Even when the court of public opinion turned sharply against him, Jurnee’s stance never wavered.
That’s the thing about this family—they are fiercely loyal. Whether you believe the court's findings or Jussie's version of events, the "Smollett 6" (as they often call themselves) move as a single unit.
Are They Twins?
Because they look so much alike, a lot of people think they’re twins. They aren’t. Jussie was born in 1982, and Jurnee followed in 1986. There’s a four-year gap there. They just happen to share very strong genes, including that signature smile and expressive eyes that make them look like mirrors of each other.
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Why This Connection Matters in Hollywood
The reason the question is Jurnee Smollett related to Jussie Smollett keeps trending is that it represents a rare kind of Black excellence in the industry. They are biracial—their father was Jewish and their mother is Black—and they’ve often spoken about how their "Blewish" (Black and Jewish) identity shaped their worldview.
They grew up in a household where activism was as common as acting. Their parents met during a civil rights campaign. That background is why you see Jurnee so involved in HIV/AIDS activism and why Jussie was so involved in various social justice causes prior to his legal troubles.
What’s Next for the Siblings?
Jurnee is currently at the top of her game. She’s producing, she’s starring in major films like The Burial and The Order, and she’s widely considered one of the most talented actors of her generation. She’s managed to keep her career moving upward despite the controversy surrounding her brother.
Jussie’s path is more complicated. After the Illinois Supreme Court recently overturned his conviction on a legal technicality regarding his original deal with prosecutors, his future in the industry remains a major talking point. He’s been directing and working on independent music, but a "mainstream" comeback is still a big question mark.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
If you’re following the careers of these two, here is the breakdown of what you need to know:
- Yes, they are full siblings. Jurnee is the younger sister; Jussie is the older brother.
- They have four other siblings, almost all of whom are in the "biz" in some capacity (cooking, design, or acting).
- They are deeply loyal. Jurnee has never distanced herself from Jussie, despite the potential risks to her own brand.
- Their heritage is "Blewish." This mix of African American and Jewish culture is a core part of their public identity.
To see their chemistry in action, you can actually go back and watch the WGN series Underground. They played alongside each other in Season 2, and it's a great example of how their real-life bond translates to the screen. If you're looking for more Smollett content, checking out Jake and Jazz's lifestyle projects on CLEO TV is a great way to see the "softer" side of the family dynamic.