Jussie Smollett (born June 21, 1983) is an American actor, singer and photographer. In 2015, Smollett began starring as Jamal Lyon in the Fox musical primetime soap opera, Empire. As a child, he co-starred in a number of films, including The Mighty Ducks (1992) and North (1994). Smollett was born in Santa Rosa, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. He has three brothers and two sisters: Jake Smollett, Jocqui Smollett, Jojo Smollett, Jurnee Smollett and Jazz Smollett.