Jurnee Smollett

Jurnee Smollett Bell cropped

Jurnee Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, including On Our Own (1994–1995) and Full House (1992–1994). She received critical acclaim and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for her role in the independent drama film Eve's Bayou (1997).

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Jurnee Diana Smollett was born in New York City, New York. She is the daughter of Janet Harris and Joel Smollett. She has five siblings: Jazz Smollett, Jocqui Smollett, Jake Smollett, Jojo Smollett, and Jussie Smollett, all of whom have pursued careers in the entertainment industry.

Career[edit | edit source]

Early Work[edit | edit source]

Smollett began her acting career at a young age, appearing in several television series. Her early roles included appearances on Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Martin, and Full House. She gained wider recognition for her role as Jordee Jerrico on the ABC sitcom On Our Own, which she starred in alongside her siblings.

Breakthrough and Film Career[edit | edit source]

In 1997, Smollett starred in the critically acclaimed film Eve's Bayou, directed by Kasi Lemmons. Her performance as Eve Batiste earned her a Critics' Choice Movie Award and established her as a talented young actress. She continued to work in both television and film, with notable roles in Selma, Lord, Selma (1999), Beautiful Joe (2000), and Roll Bounce (2005).

Recent Work[edit | edit source]

In recent years, Smollett has appeared in several high-profile projects. She starred as Jess Merriweather on the NBC sports drama series Friday Night Lights (2009–2011) and as Nicole Wright on the HBO series True Blood (2013–2014). In 2016, she played Rosalee in the WGN America period drama series Underground.

In 2020, Smollett starred as Letitia "Leti" Lewis in the HBO horror drama series Lovecraft Country, for which she received critical acclaim. She also appeared as Black Canary in the DC Extended Universe film Birds of Prey (2020).

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Smollett married musician Josiah Bell in 2010. The couple has one child together, a son named Hunter, born in 2016. They announced their separation in 2020.