Joel Smollett was a former cable splicer and civil rights activist who was best known as the father of six talented children in the entertainment industry. He passed away on January 7, 2015, at the age of 58, after a long and courageous fight with cancer. His death was a huge loss for his family and fans, who remembered him as a loving and supportive father. In this article, we will explore Joel Smollett’s life, his family, his career, and his cause of death.
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Joel Smollett’s Early Life and Immigration to the US
Joel Smollett was born on October 8, 1956, in Russia. He had Jewish, Russian, and Polish ancestry. His father was Peter Smollett, a Polish Jew, and his mother was Molly Hirschenson, a hardworking woman of Russian descent. He reportedly had one sibling, but little is known about them.
Joel spent part of his childhood in Poland, where he faced discrimination and persecution because of his Jewish background. When he was in his late teens, his family decided to immigrate to the United States of America, where they hoped to find a better life and more opportunities.
Joel settled in the Bay Area, California, where he became involved in the civil rights movement. He met his future wife, Janet Harris, who was also an activist and a native of New Orleans. They shared a passion for social justice and equality, and they fell in love.
Joel Smollett’s Marriage and Children
Joel married Janet in the late 1970s, and they had six children together: Jurnee, Jussie, Jake, Jazz, Jojo, and Jocqui. All of them followed their parents’ footsteps and pursued careers in the entertainment industry. They starred in a sitcom series called On Our Own in the 1990s, which was based on their own family life.
Joel was a devoted and proud father who encouraged and supported his children’s dreams and talents. He taught them to be confident and resilient in the face of challenges and adversity. He also instilled in them a sense of social responsibility and compassion for others.
Joel’s children often expressed their gratitude and admiration for their father, who they described as their hero and inspiration. They also credited him for creating a close-knit and loving family that always stuck together.
Joel Smollett’s Career and Legacy
Joel worked as a cable splicer for most of his life. He was skilled and hardworking at his job, which provided for his family’s needs. He also continued to be an advocate for civil rights and human dignity until his last days.
Joel’s legacy lives on through his children, who have achieved success and recognition in various fields of entertainment. They have also used their platforms to raise awareness and funds for various causes that are close to their hearts.
Some of Joel’s children’s notable works include:
- Jurnee Smollett: She is an actress who has appeared in films such as Eve’s Bayou, The Great Debaters, Birds of Prey, and TV shows such as Friday Night Lights, True Blood, Underground, and Lovecraft Country.
- Jussie Smollett: He is an actor and singer who is best known for his role as Jamal Lyon in the hit series Empire. He has also appeared in films such as The Mighty Ducks, Alien: Covenant, Marshall, and TV shows such as The Mindy Project and Revenge.
- Jake Smollett: He is an actor and chef who has appeared in films such as North, The Middleman, Pitch This!, and TV shows such as Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, The Practice, On Our Own, Cookin’ with the Smolletts.
- Jazz Smollett: She is an actress and producer who has appeared in films such as I Want You, Always with You, and TV shows such as On Our Own, Smollett Eats, and Living by Design with Jake & Jazz.
- Jojo Smollett: He is an actor and producer who has appeared in films such as City of Hope, The Practice, and TV shows such as On Our Own, The Parent ‘Hood, Moesha, and All American.
- Jocqui Smollett: He is an actor and producer who has appeared in films such as Pitch This!, and TV shows such as On Our Own, Smollett Eats, and The Reel Story.
Joel Smollett’s Cause of Death
Joel Smollett died due to complications from cancer on January 7th 2015 at the age of 58. He had been diagnosed with the disease a few years before his death but kept it private from the public. He fought bravely and gracefully until his last breath.
His children were by his side during his final moments, and they did their best to give him the best medical care and comfort. They also honored his memory and celebrated his life in a beautiful funeral ceremony that was attended by their family and friends.
Joel’s death was a huge shock and sorrow for his family and fans, who mourned his loss and paid tribute to him on social media and other platforms. They remembered him as a kind, generous, strong, and dignified man who loved his family unconditionally.
Joel Smollett was a remarkable man who left a lasting impact on the world through his family and his work. He will always be remembered and cherished by those who knew him and loved him. Rest in peace, Joel Smollett. You are missed.
