Net Worth Ranker
What Is Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth?
Jussie Smollett, an American actor, singer, and photographer, has an estimated net worth of $300,000. This financial assessment reflects his earnings from various entertainment industry ventures, primarily his acting career, with a significant portion derived from his role on the television series “Empire” between 2015 and 2019.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Justin “Jussie” Smollett was born on June 21, 1982, in Santa Rosa, California, to Janet (née Harris) and Joel Smollett. His family’s early moves included residing in the Elmhurst neighborhood of New York City when he was two years old, followed by a return to California at age seven, and eventually settling in New Jersey. He later graduated from Paramus Catholic High School in Paramus, New Jersey. Before becoming an actor, he began his career as a child model in New York City. He then worked as an extra on the sets of films like “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990) and “New Jack City” (1991), which were filmed in New York.
Smollett transitioned to acting, landing roles in films such as “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and “North” (1994). Notably, from 1994 to 1995, Jussie starred alongside all five of his real-life siblings in the ABC sitcom “On Our Own.”
“Empire” and Musical Pursuits
After a period away from the spotlight, Smollett returned to acting in 2012 with the lead role of Magnus in the LGBTQ romantic comedy-drama “The Skinny.” He further appeared as a guest star on “The Mindy Project” in the same year and in an episode of “Revenge” in 2014.
In 2014, Smollett secured the role of Jamal Lyon on the Fox drama “Empire,” a show that also starred Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson. He appeared in seasons one through five. However, his appearances were cut from the final two episodes of season five due to the controversy surrounding the Chicago “attack” incident.
While working on “Empire,” Jussie also acted in the show “Underground,” which starred his younger sister, Jurnee Smollett. In 2017, he also had roles in “Alien: Covenant” and “Marshall.”
Beyond acting, Smollett has pursued a musical career, releasing his first EP, “The Poisoned Hearts Club,” in 2012. In 2015, he signed a recording contract with Columbia Records. On February 2, 2018, he released his debut studio album, “Sum of My Music,” through his own label, Music of Sound. Smollett also co-wrote original songs for “Empire,” including “I Wanna Love You” and “You’re So Beautiful,” which were included on the “Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire” album (2015).
Chicago “Attack” Incident and Legal Aftermath
On January 29, 2019, Smollett reported to the police that he had been attacked by two men. He alleged the attackers tied a noose around his neck, poured gasoline on him, beat him, and yelled racial and homophobic slurs, also referencing “MAGA country.” Following an investigation, Chicago PD determined that Smollett was likely involved in planning the attack, which was allegedly carried out by two brothers he knew from “Empire.”
Reportedly, the brothers were paid $3,500 to stage the attack. In February 2019, Smollett was charged with a class 4 felony for filing a false police report, and he turned himself in to the Chicago Police Department. In March, all charges were dropped; however, in April, the city of Chicago filed a case against him, leading to a Cook County grand jury indicting him on six counts. Smollett pleaded not guilty to all charges.
On April 30, 2019, Fox executives announced that Smollett would not return for season six of “Empire.” Fox reportedly negotiated to pay off Jussie for his season six contract, but he would not be utilized on the show, essentially being paid to not work.
In an interview on September 9, 2020, Smollett spoke about the incident, maintaining his innocence during an Instagram live session with Marc Lamont Hill. On March 10, 2022, Jussie was sentenced to 150 days in jail for lying to police. Additionally, he was required to serve 30 months of felony probation and pay $120,106 in restitution to the city of Chicago. The next day, his lawyers filed a notice of appeal, and on March 16, an Illinois appeals court ordered his release from jail upon posting a $150,000 personal recognizance bond. In March 2023, Smollett’s attorney filed an appeal against his 150-day sentence for his alleged hate crime hoax.
Personal Life and Real Estate
Smollett publicly came out as gay in March 2015 during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres. In 2016, Jussie spent $1.687 million on a home located in Los Angeles. In July 2019, he sold the property at a $30,000 loss.
Analyzing Jussie Smollett’s Net Worth Components
Breaking down Jussie Smollett’s $300,000 net worth requires considering multiple factors, including his earnings from acting roles, music, and any potential losses from real estate dealings and legal expenses. His most significant income source was likely his role as Jamal Lyon on the Fox television series “Empire.” While exact salary details are not publicly available, leading roles in successful television dramas often command substantial per-episode fees. For instance, if Smollett earned an estimated $50,000 per episode across approximately 100 episodes, that would equate to $5 million in earnings from “Empire” alone. However, legal fees and settlements related to the Chicago incident could have significantly depleted his assets, impacting his overall net worth.
His music career, which includes the release of an EP and a studio album, “The Poisoned Hearts Club” (2012) and “Sum of My Music” (2018), respectively, would have contributed to his income. However, the financial success of these ventures can vary widely depending on factors such as sales, streaming numbers, and touring revenue, of which specific figures are unavailable. Similarly, his work as a child actor in films like “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and “North” (1994) would have provided early income, but these earnings would likely be modest compared to his later “Empire” income. The real estate transaction involving the Los Angeles home he purchased for $1.687 million in 2016 and sold at a $30,000 loss in July 2019 is one example that impacts his financial situation.
“Empire” Contract Details and Earnings
While the specific details of Jussie Smollett’s contract for “Empire” remain confidential, examining industry standards for leading roles in successful television dramas can provide insights into his potential earnings. Actors in prominent roles often negotiate per-episode fees that increase over the course of the series. A potential contract would involve a per-episode payment that increased with each season, bonuses tied to the show’s ratings, and potential backend deals involving a percentage of the show’s profits from syndication or streaming rights. If Smollett’s initial contract started at around $20,000 per episode, with increases in subsequent seasons, his earnings could have grown substantially over the five seasons he appeared on the show. An estimated annual income for Smollett can be determined through an estimate based on available data. If in the first season his per-episode salary was $20,000 and in the final season his per-episode salary was $75,000, a very rough estimate of his income can be determined. For example, if there were 12 episodes in the first season and 18 in the last season, and a linear growth rate of per-episode income between the first and last season, we can very roughly estimate his salary to be $1.15 million.
The controversy surrounding the Chicago “attack” incident and his subsequent removal from the show would have had a considerable impact on his income. Although Fox reportedly negotiated an option to pay him for his season six contract, this payment would likely have been less than what he would have earned had he continued acting on the show. Moreover, legal fees and potential settlements associated with the case could have further reduced his net worth.
Jussie Smollett’s other acting roles in shows like “The Mindy Project” and “Revenge,” as well as films like “Alien: Covenant” and “Marshall,” would have provided additional income. However, these roles were likely less lucrative than his starring role on “Empire.” Additionally, his musical career, which includes the release of an EP and a studio album, would have generated income from sales, streaming, and potential touring. His music endeavors likely contributed modestly to his overall earnings. Additionally, his co-writing credits on songs for “Empire,” such as “I Wanna Love You” and “You’re So Beautiful,” would have generated royalties, providing a source of income over time.
Real Estate Investments and Losses
In 2016, Jussie Smollett purchased a home in Los Angeles for $1.687 million, reflecting a significant investment in real estate. However, in July 2019, he sold the property at a $30,000 loss, demonstrating a potential setback in his investment portfolio. The decision to sell the home at a loss may have been influenced by financial pressures or other personal considerations. While the exact location and features of the property are not publicly disclosed, real estate investments can fluctuate in value depending on market conditions and other factors. For instance, if Smollett had made improvements to the home during his ownership, such as renovations or landscaping, he may have incurred additional expenses. The loss of $30,000, while significant, represents a relatively small percentage of the overall purchase price, indicating that the real estate transaction likely had a limited impact on his overall net worth.
Legal Expenses and Restitution Payments
The legal proceedings surrounding the Chicago “attack” incident have likely resulted in substantial legal expenses for Jussie Smollett. Defense attorneys, court fees, and other associated costs can quickly add up, potentially impacting his financial resources. The restitution payment of $120,106 to the city of Chicago, ordered as part of his sentence in March 2022, represents a direct financial obligation that reduces his net worth. In addition to the restitution payment, Smollett’s legal team filed a notice of appeal, which would incur further expenses, potentially including filing fees, expert witness fees, and other costs. Given the complexity and high-profile nature of the case, it is plausible that his legal expenses have amounted to hundreds of thousands of dollars, significantly diminishing his net worth.
Any fines or penalties imposed by the court or other entities would further reduce his financial resources. The cost of maintaining his public image and addressing media scrutiny during and after the incident may have required additional expenses. While the precise figures are not publicly available, legal fees, restitution payments, and related expenses likely represent a major factor in his net worth assessment.
Impact of the “Empire” Controversy
The controversy surrounding the Chicago “attack” incident and his subsequent removal from “Empire” had several financial implications for Jussie Smollett. His removal from the show not only resulted in the loss of future earnings but also tarnished his reputation, potentially affecting his ability to secure other acting roles or endorsements. The loss of future earnings from “Empire” would have had a substantial impact on his income. Had he continued on the show for additional seasons, he could have earned millions of dollars more, based on industry standards for leading roles in successful television dramas. Given that Fox reportedly negotiated an option to pay him for his season six contract, it is plausible that the settlement amount was significantly less than what he would have earned had he continued acting on the show. The tarnishing of his reputation may have also affected his ability to generate income from other sources, such as endorsements or public appearances. Companies may have been hesitant to associate with him due to the negative publicity surrounding the case, potentially resulting in a loss of income.
Musical Career Revenue Streams
Jussie Smollett’s musical career has provided various revenue streams, including sales of his EP, “The Poisoned Hearts Club” (2012), and his studio album, “Sum of My Music” (2018), as well as royalties from his co-writing credits on songs for “Empire.” While specific sales figures are not publicly available, sales of his EP and album would have generated income. Additionally, streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music would have provided royalties based on the number of streams his songs received. The songs he co-wrote for “Empire,” such as “I Wanna Love You” and “You’re So Beautiful,” would have generated royalties from sales of the “Original Soundtrack from Season 1 of Empire” album and from streaming and radio airplay. The exact amount of royalties generated from his co-writing credits would depend on various factors, such as the terms of his publishing agreements and the success of the songs. It is worth noting that album sales have declined in recent years, with streaming services becoming the dominant source of revenue for musicians. Streaming services typically pay artists a small fraction of a cent per stream, meaning that a song needs to be streamed millions of times to generate significant revenue.
Smollett’s involvement in live performances, concerts, and other events may have also contributed to his income. However, it is unclear whether he has toured extensively or performed at large venues. His ability to generate income from live performances may have been affected by the controversy surrounding the Chicago “attack” incident. Furthermore, music recording and promotion expenses would likely affect his income. Given the various factors involved, it is plausible that his musical career has provided a modest but consistent stream of revenue, contributing to his overall net worth.
Child Acting Earnings
As a child actor, Jussie Smollett appeared in films such as “The Mighty Ducks” (1992) and “North” (1994), as well as the ABC sitcom “On Our Own” (1994-1995). While specific salary details are not publicly available, his earnings from these roles would have contributed to his early income. Child actors typically earn less than their adult counterparts, and their earnings may be subject to various deductions, such as taxes and commissions to agents and managers. The earnings from his early roles would likely be modest compared to his later income from “Empire” and other projects. However, these early roles provided him with valuable experience and exposure in the entertainment industry, which may have helped him to secure future roles. In “The Mighty Ducks”, Smollett appeared in a minor role and other child actors may have been paid between $5,000 to $10,000 for each appearance. In the television series “On Our Own”, Jussie and his siblings all had roles to play. Each child was very likely given the same base pay, and that base pay could potentially be between $10,000 to $20,000 per episode.
