Janet Smollett is best known as the strong and loving mother of the six Smollett siblings, but her own life story is just as meaningful. Born Janet Harris on November 27, 1952, in New Orleans, she grew up in a home filled with African-American, Creole, and Native American culture. She later became involved in civil rights work and carried those values into her marriage with Joel Smollett, a man of Russian-Polish Jewish heritage.
Together, they raised a multicultural family built on love, discipline, creativity, and pride in identity. Janet homeschooled her children, encouraged their artistic talents, and guided them with patience and purpose, helping them become successful in acting, cooking, business, and public life. Even though she keeps her life private, her influence can be seen clearly in the achievements and unity of her family.
Quick Bio
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janet Harris Smollett |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1952 |
| Birthplace | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Age | Early 70s (as of 2025) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American, Native American, Creole |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Widowed (Husband: Joel Smollett, passed away 2015) |
| Children | Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, Jocqui Smollett |
| Occupation | Activist, Educator, Author, Homeschooling Parent |
| Known For | Matriarch of the Smollett family; Civil rights activism; Influence on her children’s entertainment careers |
| Residence | United States |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
Who is Janet Smollett?
Janet Smollett is best known as the loving and strong mother of the six Smollett siblings, a family that became well-known in acting, cooking, activism, and creative work. She grew up in New Orleans, where culture, food, and music shaped her early life, and she carried those rich traditions into her home as an adult. Janet spent her life teaching values like fairness, kindness, education, and pride in one’s roots.
She became a guiding force for her children, helping them build confidence and creativity from a very young age. Her influence reaches far beyond entertainment because she raised her family with purpose, unity, and deep cultural awareness.
Early Life and Background
Janet Smollett was born on November 27, 1952, in the vibrant city of New Orleans, a place shaped by music, traditions, strong community ties, and a rich blend of African-American, Native American, and Creole heritage. Growing up in a city full of rhythm, culture, and storytelling helped her develop a deep understanding of identity and history from an early age.
Her childhood took place during a time of major change in the United States, especially in the South, and she saw firsthand how the Civil Rights Movement shaped the lives of people around her. These early experiences taught her about fairness, courage, and the importance of standing up for others. The values she learned in New Orleans created the base for the mother and educator she would later become, and they helped her understand how important it is to raise children who know their heritage and believe in themselves.
Janet Smollett Age and Personal Details
Janet Smollett was born on November 27, 1952, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and is in her early seventies today. She is an American woman with African-American, Native American, and Creole roots and is best known as the mother of six talented children. Janet worked as an activist and educator and homeschooled her kids, teaching them about culture, fairness, and self-confidence. She keeps her personal life private, and details like her net worth are not publicly shared, but she remains respected for her strong values and the guidance she gave her family.
Education and Activism
As she grew older, Janet continued to develop a strong interest in education and social awareness, especially during the 1960s and 1970s when many young people were becoming more vocal about justice and equal rights. She took part in community programs that pushed for fairness, and she learned from leaders and groups connected to the Black liberation movement, which helped shape her views on society and human dignity.
These experiences inspired her to spend her life helping others learn, grow, and become more aware of the world around them. Her interest in education was not only about schoolwork but also about building character, understanding history, and learning how to treat people with respect. This belief later made her choose homeschooling so she could give her children an education based on culture, empathy, and honesty. Her early activism helped her find her purpose as someone who wanted to make a difference both in her community and in her own home.
How Janet Met Joel Smollett
Janet’s life took an important turn when she met Joel Smollett, a man with Russian and Polish Jewish roots who also cared deeply about justice, community, and equal rights. They met while working in the Bay Area for civil rights causes, a time when many young people were organizing, learning, and trying to create positive change. The two quickly built a strong connection because of their shared values and dreams, and their relationship grew into a loving partnership that combined their different backgrounds in a meaningful way.
They later married and created a home that blended African-American, Creole, and Jewish traditions, giving their future children a foundation of cultural richness. Joel worked as a cable splicer to support the family, and the nature of his job meant that the family moved many times. Each time they moved, Janet kept the family grounded by building a wooden kitchen table with her own hands, a special tradition that helped the family stay connected no matter where they lived.
Who Is Joel Smollett?
Joel Smollett was the husband of Janet Smollett and the father of their six children, and he was known for his quiet strength, strong work ethic, and deep love for his family. He was born into a Russian and Polish Jewish family and worked as a cable splicer, providing steady support while Janet focused on raising and teaching their children. Even though he stayed out of the spotlight, Joel played a major role in building a warm and multicultural home, and his influence is seen in the unity and values that shaped the Smollett family. Joel passed away in 2015 after a battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy of responsibility, kindness, and devotion.
Janet Smollett’s Children
Jojo Smollett
Jojo Smollett is the oldest child in the Smollett family and began acting at a young age, appearing in projects like the family sitcom On Our Own, where several of his siblings also starred. Growing up with strong support from his parents, Jojo became known as a steady and responsible older brother who often helped guide and encourage his younger siblings in their creative work.
Over time, he expanded his interests beyond acting and became involved in production, using his skills behind the scenes to support family projects. Jojo’s calm personality, leadership role within the family, and early start in entertainment reflect the strong foundation built by his mother, Janet Smollett.
Jazz Smollett
Jazz Smollett is known for her warm personality and creative talent, starting her career as a child actress on the family show On Our Own and later becoming a producer and chef. She gained even more attention through the cooking show Smollett Eats, where she shared family recipes and stories that highlight her love for food and togetherness. Jazz enjoys blending cooking, storytelling, and culture, and she often works on projects that celebrate family life and creativity. Her work reflects the values she learned from her mother, Janet Smollett, especially the importance of unity, hard work, and expressing yourself with confidence.
Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett became widely known for his role as Jamal Lyon on the hit television series Empire, where he earned praise for his acting, singing, and emotional performances. He started acting as a child along with his siblings and returned to the spotlight as an adult with strong talent and stage presence. Although he has faced public challenges, Jussie remains a meaningful part of the Smollett family and continues to have the support of his loved ones.
Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett is one of the most well-known members of the family, beginning her acting career as a young child and later starring in films and series such as Eve’s Bayou, Underground, and Lovecraft Country. She is admired for her powerful performances, deep emotional roles, and her ability to take on characters that highlight strength and history. Jurnee is also active in social causes and often speaks about the values her mother taught her.
Jake Smollett
Jake Smollett grew up acting with his siblings and later discovered a love for cooking, becoming known for his work as a chef and food personality. He appeared on Smollett Eats and has shared his love of food through cookbooks and television cooking segments. Jake’s creative mix of cooking and entertainment reflects the supportive and artistic environment he grew up in.
Jocqui Smollett
Jocqui Smollett, the youngest of the six siblings, also acted during his childhood, especially in the family show On Our Own. As an adult, he moved into the world of technology and business, showing that creativity can grow in many different ways. Jocqui is known for his thoughtful personality and continues to show interest in activism and community work, values he learned from his parents.
Activism and Community
Janet Smollett never stopped caring about justice and equal rights, even as she raised her family. Her home was filled with talks about race, identity, fairness, and the importance of helping others. She taught her children that art and activism could work together and that having a voice means using it to bring change. She stayed connected to community leaders, including her longtime friend Angela Davis, and she inspired her children to support causes such as HIV/AIDS prevention, youth empowerment, and fair representation in media.
Janet believed that the world needed people who understood both history and compassion, and she raised her children to be aware, thoughtful, and active in their communities. Her family became known not only for their talents but also for their dedication to important social issues, something that can be traced directly to her teachings.
Life After Joel’s Passing
In 2015, Janet faced one of the hardest moments of her life when her husband Joel passed away after battling cancer. This loss deeply affected the entire family, but Janet remained strong and continued to guide her children through their grief. Even as adults, they looked to her for emotional support, advice, and comfort.
She held the family together by keeping important traditions alive, especially the family table, which served as a place for shared meals, conversations, and healing. Her steady presence helped her children stay grounded during difficult times, and her strength reminded them of the values that shaped their upbringing. Although she stayed mostly out of the public eye, her influence remained powerful and clear in her children’s lives.
Family Table and Cooking
One of the most heartfelt symbols of Janet Smollett’s influence is the family table, which she built in every home where they lived, giving the family a place to gather, share stories, and celebrate each other. Food played a major role in keeping the family close, and Janet used cooking as a way to create comfort, joy, and unity. These moments later inspired the family’s cookbook, The Family Table: Recipes and Moments From a Nomadic Life, which shares recipes and memories from their years together.
The book reflects Janet’s belief that food is more than nourishment—it is a bridge that connects people to their past, their home, and their loved ones. Through every dish and every memory, the book shows how Janet brought her family together with warmth and creativity.
Influence on Entertainment
Janet’s guidance not only shaped her children as individuals but also influenced the kinds of stories they chose to tell in their careers. She taught them to value truth, identity, and meaningful storytelling, which is why many of their roles highlight cultural history, strength, and representation.
Jurnee’s powerful performances, Jake’s creative food projects, Jazz’s approach to family-centered cooking, and Jussie’s earlier work all show pieces of Janet’s influence. She taught them that being in entertainment is not only about fame but also about using art to teach, inspire, and reflect real life. Her focus on culture and justice helped her children become storytellers who understand the impact of their voices.
Strength and Challenges
Throughout her life, Janet faced many challenges, including financial pressure, frequent moves, balancing homeschooling with daily responsibilities, dealing with activism-related risks, and handling public attention on her family. Despite everything, she stayed focused on her values and kept her family strong. She handled difficult times with calm, discipline, and love, and she taught her children to stay steady even when life becomes stressful. Her ability to stay grounded through ups and downs helped her children learn how to face challenges with courage and honesty.
Current Life and Legacy
Today, Janet Smollett lives a quiet and peaceful life, mostly staying away from public attention but remaining closely connected to her children and grandchildren. Her influence continues to shape each of their lives, their work, and their approach to family and community. Her legacy is not only found in her children’s careers but also in the values they carry—unity, creativity, cultural pride, and a commitment to justice. She raised a family that reflects her beliefs, and her life shows how powerful a mother’s guidance can be.
Janet Smollett Net Worth Info
Janet Smollett’s net worth is not publicly shared, as she has always lived a private life focused on her family, education, and community work rather than financial fame. She is best known for her role as a dedicated mother, educator, and activist who homeschooled her six children and helped guide their early careers in acting and creative work. While her children have achieved success in entertainment, cooking, and business, Janet herself has never sought the spotlight or tied her life to wealth, choosing instead to focus on values, culture, and raising a strong and loving family.
Conclusion
Janet Smollett’s life story is rich with lessons about love, heritage, strength, and purpose. She built a home full of culture and creativity, raised six talented children with care and intention, and stayed committed to justice and education from her early years through motherhood. Her story reminds us that behind many successful people stands someone who gave them the confidence, discipline, and heart to shine. Janet Smollett’s legacy lives on through her children, her activism, her traditions, and the values she passed down, showing how one woman can shape generations simply by leading with love and truth.
FAQs About Janet Smollett
1. Who is Janet Smollett?
Janet Smollett is the mother of the famous Smollett siblings and is known for her work as an activist, educator, and the guiding force behind her creative family.
2. How old is Janet Smollett?
Janet Smollett was born on November 27, 1952, which places her in her early seventies today.
3. Who was Janet Smollett’s husband?
Her husband was Joel Smollett, a man of Russian and Polish Jewish heritage who supported the family and helped raise their six children.
4. How many children does Janet Smollett have?
She has six children: Jojo, Jazz, Jussie, Jurnee, Jake, and Jocqui Smollett.
5. What is Janet Smollett known for?
She is known for homeschooling her children, teaching strong values, and supporting their early paths in acting and creative work.
6. Was Janet Smollett involved in activism?
Yes, Janet was active in civil rights work and taught her children the importance of fairness, culture, and using their voices for good.
7. What is Janet Smollett’s net worth?
Her personal net worth is not publicly shared, as she has always lived a private life focused on family and community.
8. Where does Janet Smollett live now?
She keeps her current life private but is believed to live in the United States, staying close to her children and grandchildren.