Smollett was born in New York City, the daughter of Janet, a humanitarian and civil rights activist, and Joel Smollett. in casting the role, writer-director Kasi Lemmons envisioned “a light-skinned black child who could convey the nuances of a Creole child in the 60s.” She co-starred with her siblings in the ABC television comedy On Our Own (1994-1995) and guest appeared in numerous television shows: Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, Full House, Martin, Wanda At Large, House, Grey’s Anatomy, etc. She starred in the racially charged 1999 Disney film Selma, Lord, Selma. Smollett co-starred with actors Bow Wow and Brandon T Jackson in the 2005 skater movie Roll Bounce. in 2007 actor/director Denzel Washington cast Smollett in his starring/directorial vehicle The Great Debaters. From September 2010 to March 2011 she was co-starring with Jim Belushi and Jerry O’Connell in the new CBS legal drama The Defenders. On October 24, 2010, Jurnee married musician Josiah Bell..
