Jussie Smollett was a huge television star with an impressive breakout role as Jamal Lyon on Fox’s smash hit Empire. He became a cultural icon who was praised for bringing visibility to Black and LGBTQ+ identities on primetime television. Viewers were captivated not only by his character’s journey but also by his powerhouse vocals and undeniable charisma. Understandably, with his newfound fame came curiosity about how he reached success.
With the popularity of the show and the heavy hitters involved, it makes sense that fans would be curious about his earnings. But how much did Jussie Smollett make on Empire? The question cannot be answered without delving into his financial rise to fame. Of course, the story of his rise to fame is a cautionary tale about how scandal can quickly overshadow talent. Today, Jussie Smollett’s name sparks debates about what happens when a promising career takes an unexpected turn. Here’s what we know about his net worth, which has been in flux for years now.
Jussie Smollett’s acted alongside his five siblings as a child
Long before questions arose about Jussie Smollett’s earnings on Empire, the actor had already spent decades in Hollywood. He launched his career in the 1990s as a child actor, appearing in films like The Mighty Ducks and starring alongside his siblings in the sitcom On Our Own, as People reports. While these roles brought him early recognition, they weren’t the kind of high-paying gigs that build lasting wealth.
As noted by Glamour Path, The Mighty Ducks earned him around $30,000 per scene. In the time since, he’s held many other film and television roles, like The Skinny and Powerful. In these, he earned around $15,000 to $30,000 per scene. But his early career was not full of financial abundance. Plus, as many fans may know, Smollett stepped away from the spotlight for years before returning to acting and music in adulthood. Independent projects like his 2012 EP The Poisoned Hearts Club revealed his musical ambitions, while his most popular role really made his talent undeniable.
A look at the embattled actor’s ‘Empire’ earnings
When Empire premiered in 2015, it became an instant ratings juggernaut and cultural phenomenon. Smollett’s portrayal of Jamal Lyon resonated deeply with audiences, and his salary definitely reflected his cultural impact. As Celebrity Net Worth reports, he reportedly earned around $65,000 per episode in the show’s early seasons. But as popularity soared, so did his paychecks.
By season five, Smollett reportedly made roughly $125,000 per episode. With each season typically having 18 episodes, his salary was definitely generous and could have reached over $2 million a year at the peak of his career. Yet technically, he was not a high-earning actor in the show. As Celebrity Net Worth explains, the leads Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson were apparently making around $225,000 and $250,000 per episode. Of course, this comparison is not exactly equal, due to the years of experience that the two harbor. So, for an actor who had once been hustling for independent gigs, this was life-changing money and solidified his status as one of the show’s central stars.
The scandal that made Jussie Smollett’s net worth plummet
In 2019, the California native’s career and wallet took a sharp turn for the worse due to a widespread scandal. That year, he claimed that he was attacked in a hate crime near his Chicago apartment. This incident, which was made out to be a racial and homophobic hate crime, was the center of a years-long legal battle. When the incident was initially unfolding, Chicago police accused him of staging the hate crime against himself. They even alleged that he organized the crime to generate publicity and strengthen his position for a higher pay for his work on Empire.
Looking back, the fallout of the event was almost immediate. He ended up being written out of the show, and his reputation suffered drastically. Then legal battles and court fees piled up, so the millions he earned during Empire’s peak years dwindled. More specifically, he was asked to pay over $120,000 in restitution to the city of Chicago. Instead, though, they reached an agreement. So, he did some community service, a few days in jail and ended up donating $50,000 to a Chicago arts nonprofit. By 2025, Celebrity Net Worth estimates his net fortune is about $300,000, which is a stark contrast to the millions he once commanded.
Despite past setbacks, the entertainer remains hopeful for a comeback
Despite his reputational downfall, Smollett has continued to search for ways to rebuild his career in recent years. He shifted his focus to make a comeback recently and even acted in his first project since Empire. Fans can check out The Lost Holliday, which is a drama featuring Vivica A. Fox and Jabari Redd, Smollett’s real-life fiancé. The movie is a hilarious yet heartwarming exploration of estranged family, queer love and grief.
For people interested in his criminal case, there is also the Netflix documentary The Truth About Jussie Smollett?, which revisits the cultural conversation. This release features Smollett and revisits the 2019 incident with unseen footage and some intimate interviews. And as many people have cited, his appearance in the documentary is likely a way for the star to tell his story officially. It may allow him to rewrite his narrative and eventually ascend back to his prior glory. As of now, with the documentary out and him getting back into acting, the sky is the limit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ethnicity of the Smollett family?
Jussie Smollett’s mother is African-American and Irish, while his father is Jewish.
How did the Smollett family get famous?
Per Oldest, all six of the Smollett siblings have experienced their 15 minutes of fame. In fact, the entire family appeared together on the dramedy Roseanne in the episode “Trick Me, Trick You.”
