# Did you know who Jussie Smollett was before this year? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975 "2019-02-21T18:25:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/21 "2019-02-21T22:41:00Z")
I wasn’t aware of the show till sometime last fall in its fifth season. I never watched. I typically don’t know the names of a big chunk of the recurring actors on shows I watch regularly so there’s a good chance watching wouldn’t have helped. I had zero clue who he was. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/22 "2019-02-21T22:44:17Z")
Didn’t know his name but recognized the face. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Lebodnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/fbc32d/32.png) [@Mr.Lebodnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Lebodnik)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2019, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/23 "2019-02-21T23:47:53Z")
Before all this occurred I was only vaguely aware of a show with the name “Empire” and had never heard of the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/24 "2019-02-22T00:03:47Z")
I didn’t know who Terrence Howard was either, before this. I \*\*did \*\*know Taraji P Henson’s work well enough, though, to figure out that if Smollett considered himself just as bankable as her, he was already suffering symptoms of severe delusion ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/25 "2019-02-22T00:31:52Z")
Yes, I knew who he was. I watch Empire and I’ve been a fan of his sister Jurnee since [Eve’s Bayou](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119080/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_30). ---
**Author:** ![seal\_cleaner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@seal\_cleaner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seal_cleaner)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/26 "2019-02-22T01:08:57Z")
I think the Dope demographic leans more to people who could identify Mantan Moreland. ---
**Author:** ![GESancMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gesancman/32/2923_2.png) [@GESancMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GESancMan)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/27 "2019-02-22T01:21:32Z")
I voted “Who?” Never heard of him, never heard of the show, and I have no idea what you guys are talking about with this “fake attack.” I guess it’s time to go hit Google… ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/28 "2019-02-22T02:02:48Z")
I first heard of him on Saturday, I believe. I think I was vaguely aware there was a TV show called _Empire_, but what it’s about, I couldn’t tell you. Actually, no, I lied. On Sunday I did find out what it was about (some series about a music/rap studio?) but before then, I would have been vaguely aware of it and not been able to tell you what it’s about. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/29 "2019-02-22T02:13:31Z")
> [@seal\_cleaner](#): > > I think the Dope demographic leans more to people who could identify Mantan Moreland. HIM I recognise! Moe wanted to make him a Stooge after Shemp died. A funny man. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/30 "2019-02-22T02:14:42Z")
No. And for all I know, _Empire_ is set in Ancient Rome. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/31 "2019-02-22T02:17:28Z")
> [@seal\_cleaner](#): > > I think the Dope demographic leans more to people who could identify Mantan Moreland. Who? (nah s’okay, I can Google…) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/32 "2019-02-22T03:32:12Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I’d never heard of him until recently. Neither had I. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/33 "2019-02-22T06:58:53Z")
I saw this name mentioned on Facebook 2 hours ago and thought someone had mistyped Jessie. This thread is the second time I have ever seen this name. I don’t know what Empire is, having never heard of it until I read the comments in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![Sangahyando](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f14d63/32.png) [@Sangahyando](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sangahyando)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 8:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/34 "2019-02-22T08:16:22Z")
I’d thought, until a few minutes ago, that he was the younger and less talented brother of Tobias Smollett (1721 - 1771), British author of rather “racy” novels. Jussie spent his long life in total obscurity, his only literary creations being a couple of decidedly weak limericks 🙂 … ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/35 "2019-02-22T08:55:07Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I voted yes(ish). I’ve never seen Empire so had no idea he was on that, but IIRC he’s been around since he was a kid and also has a sister in showbiz. Mostly I remember over the years having a weird, irrational dislike of the name “Jussie”. I knew Journee Smollett was because of a movie she was in I think it was the spelling bee movie …… ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/36 "2019-02-22T13:02:10Z")
Yes, because I and just about all of my friends were familiar with the Mighty Ducks movies, and I also know his sister from a few things. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/37 "2019-02-22T13:34:21Z")
I’m surprised I’ve heard of the show. Must have overheard an advertisement somewhere. I couldn’t have told you any actors before the recent mess. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/38 "2019-02-22T14:12:43Z")
“When this started out, it was a story about people who hated Jussie Smollett because he was black and gay. But now, people hate him because he’s an asshole. In other words, they’re judging him on the content of his character and not the color of his skin. And that, my friends, is progress.” –Trevor Noah ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/39 "2019-02-22T14:54:50Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > I didn’t know who Terrence Howard was either, before this. That’s probably the biggest head-scratcher in the thread; he’s had a quarter century career in film and TV, and was Oscar nominated for “Hustle and Flow.” Plus he’s a fairly distinctive looking guy- kind of a “know him if you see him” sort of look. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2019, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975/40 "2019-02-22T15:33:29Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > I didn’t know who Terrence Howard was either, before this. > [@bump](#): > > That’s probably the biggest head-scratcher in the thread; he’s had a quarter century career in film and TV, and was Oscar nominated for “Hustle and Flow.” Plus he’s a fairly distinctive looking guy- kind of a “know him if you see him” sort of look. Plus, he had a major role in _Iron Man_, which is probably where most people saw him. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-you-know-who-jussie-smollett-was-before-this-year/829975.md?page=3)