Janet Smollett is the mother at the heart of a busy, creative family. Many people know her famous children, actors Jussie Smollett and Jurnee Smollett, but the family story is much bigger. Janet and her late husband, Joel Smollett, raised six children who worked in TV, film, food, and tech. Their home was full of art, simple living, and love. They also cared about social justice and community.
Personal Information
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Janet Smollett (née Harris) |
| Known for | Mother of Jussie, Jurnee, JoJo, Jazz, Jake, and Jocqui; family guide and creative home-maker |
| Partner | Joel Smollett (d. 2015) |
| Family focus | Creativity, simple living, and strong family bonds |
| Noted family projects | 1994 ABC sitcom On Our Own; Food Network show Smollett Eats; family cookbook The Family Table |
| Community roots | Met Joel during a civil rights campaign; raised children with an interest in culture and fairness |
Early family story
Janet’s family is close and creative. She and Joel Smollett met while helping a civil rights campaign. This early work set a tone in the home: speak up for what is right, respect others, and build a strong family culture.
Their six children are JoJo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui. All six tried acting when they were young. The children even starred together in the 1994 ABC sitcom On Our Own, which ran for one season. This early show gave the family a public face and showed their strong bond on screen.
Janet encouraged art at home. According to a recent profile, she pushed the children to make things with their hands and to trust their ideas. The family often built furniture and other items themselves. Money was not always easy to find, but creativity was. This mindset helped the kids stay brave in the tough world of entertainment.
Values that shaped the Smollett home
Janet is often described as warm, steady, and practical. She made space for music, acting, cooking, and writing. At the same time, she taught the children to stay humble and help each other.
Another part of the family story is their mixed background. Public records about the kids explain that Janet is African American, while Joel was Ashkenazi Jewish with roots in Russia and Poland. This mix gave the children a wide view of culture and identity. They grew up learning to respect different histories and to be proud of who they are.
Joel passed away in 2015, and the loss was hard for the whole family. But the values that Janet and Joel planted love, teamwork, and service remained.
Work, shows, and a cookbook
The Smollett children did many projects together and alone:
- On Our Own (1994–95): All six siblings acted in this ABC sitcom, adding to their early careers.
- Smollett Eats (Food Network): Years later, the family joined again to make a joyful cooking show. It shared their home cooking and family fun.
- The Family Table (2018): The siblings also published a cookbook with stories and recipes from their life. The book shows how food and family time sit at the center of their home.
While these projects focus on the children, they also reflect Janet’s influence. She taught them to cook, to host, and to share their table with friends. She showed them that daily care good meals, clean spaces, and kind words can build strong people.
A mother’s role through highs and lows
Public life brings attention good and bad. The Smollett family faced difficult times after Jussie Smollett’s 2019 case in Chicago. In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned his conviction. Through these years, reports show the family stood together. They protected each other and continued their work. That unity, many believe, reflects Janet’s steady voice at home.
Janet’s daughter Jurnee has also spoken about family lessons. In interviews, she has shared how her mother taught her to love her natural beauty and to care for her well-being. These messages of self-respect and healing have shaped Jurnee’s life and work.
Why Janet’s story matters
Janet Smollett’s story is not only about raising famous children. It is about building a family culture where art, food, and kindness matter. She shows how a parent can guide by example:
- Create with what you have. Make things by hand. Keep learning.
- Hold your values. Care about fairness and community. Teach your children to do the same.
- Make the table a safe place. Share meals, stories, and support. The family cookbook is a symbol of this habit.
Her impact is clear in the careers and choices of her children on screen, in the kitchen, and beyond.
Final thoughts
Janet Smollett’s legacy is clear. She raised six children who know how to create, share, and stay close. Her home mixed art with everyday care. It mixed strong values with warmth. From a civil rights spirit to a family TV show and a cookbook, Janet’s quiet leadership sits behind it all. That is why many people see her as a strong mom behind Jussie and Jurnee and behind a whole family story that still inspires.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
1) Who is Janet Smollett?
She is the mother of six creative children JoJo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui Smollett and the steady guide of the family.
2) How did Janet and Joel Smollett meet?
Reports say they met while working on a civil rights campaign, which shaped the family’s values.
3) What is the Smollett family background?
Janet is African American. Joel was Ashkenazi Jewish with roots in Russia and Poland.
4) Did all the kids act together?
Yes. All six siblings starred in the ABC sitcom On Our Own in 1994–95.
5) What TV show features the family’s cooking?
Smollett Eats on Food Network shows the siblings cooking and hosting together.
6) Is there a Smollett family cookbook?
Yes. The Family Table: Recipes and Moments from a Nomadic Life was published in 2018.
7) What happened to Joel Smollett?
Joel Smollett, Janet’s husband and the children’s father, passed away in 2015.
8) How did Janet influence her children’s careers?
She encouraged creativity at home, built things by hand, and made space for art and self-expression.
9) How has the family handled public challenges?
They have stayed supportive of each other. In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Jussie’s conviction from the 2019 case.
10) Where can I see more of the family’s work today?
Watch Smollett Eats clips or check the family cookbook. Jurnee continues acting in major projects, and the siblings work across food, media, and tech.
