Joel Smollett
The father of notorious actor Jussie Smollett.
Born on October 8, 1956, Joel Smollett’s family came to the United States from Russia via Poland. He is of Jewish heritage.
He married Janet Harris with whom he had six children — two daughters and four sons.
The Smollett family patriarch died from cancer at the age of 58 on January 7, 2015.