At 72 years old in 2025, Janet Smollett remains the quiet force behind one of Hollywood’s most talented and activist families. The civil-rights warrior who marched with the Black Panthers, raised six biracial children into conscious stars, and built a legendary family table still inspires with her grace, strength, and unbreakable love.
Early Life & Civil-Rights Roots in New Orleans
Born Janet Harris on November 27, 1952, in New Orleans, she grew up surrounded by Creole culture and the harsh realities of segregation. By her late teens she had moved to the Bay Area and thrown herself into the movement—working alongside Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, learning from Julian Bond, and forming a lifelong friendship with Angela Davis.
Jussie once said, “We’ve spent Mother’s Day with Angela.” That wasn’t celebrity name-dropping; it was simply family life for the Smolletts.
Married Life with Joel Smollett: Love Born in Protest
Janet met Joel Smollett, an Ashkenazi Jewish cable splicer of Russian-Polish descent, while organizing in Oakland. Their 1970s interracial, interfaith marriage was bold and beautiful. Together they raised six children with “J” names, celebrated Passover and Kwanzaa at the same table, and moved 13 times across America chasing acting dreams for the kids.
Joel passed away from cancer in 2015 at age 58. Janet has remained single ever since, honoring his memory and focusing entirely on family and grandchildren. No reports of dating or new relationships as of 2025.
The Six Smollett Children: From Child Stars to Conscious Creators
All six began working before age 10 and grew into remarkable adults who never forgot their mother’s lessons:
- Jojo (b. 1977) – actor and nonprofit leader
- Jazz (b. 1980) – producer and co-host of Living by Design
- Jurnee (b. 1986) – award-winning actress (Lovecraft Country, Birds of Prey)
- Jussie (b. 1982) – actor, director, newly engaged in 2025 to composer Jabari Redd
- Jake (b. 1989) – Food Network star and celebrity chef
- Jocqui (b. 1993) – tech entrepreneur and occasional actor
The siblings starred together in the 1994 ABC sitcom On Our Own, reunited for Food Network’s Smollett Eats, and co-authored the 2018 cookbook The Family Table. In 2025 they remain extraordinarily close—group chats, shared vacations, and united support through every storm.
Height, Weight, Net Worth & Personal Stats (2025 Updated)
Age: 72 (born November 27, 1952)
Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
Weight: ≈115 lbs (52 kg)
Net Worth 2025: $300,000 – $500,000
Marital Status: Widowed since 2015
Current Dating Status: Single
Complete Janet Smollett Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Janet Faye Harris Smollett |
| Date of Birth | November 27, 1952 |
| Age (2025) | 72 years old |
| Place of Birth | New Orleans, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American with Creole & Native American roots |
| Height | 5’6″ (168 cm) |
| Weight | ≈115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Husband | Joel Smollett (married 1970s–2015) |
| Children | 6 – Jojo, Jazz, Jurnee, Jussie, Jake, Jocqui |
| Grandchildren | At least 3 (including Jurnee’s son Hunter) |
| Profession | Civil-rights activist, homemaker, homeschool teacher, cookbook co-author |
| Known For | Mother of the Smollett acting family; Black Panther-era activism |
| Net Worth 2025 | $300,000 – $500,000 |
| Main Income | Cookbook royalties, media appearances, family projects |
| Famous Friends | Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey Newton, Julian Bond |
| Cookbook | The Family Table (2018) |
| Residence | California |
Why Janet’s Story Still Matters in 2025
Mixed-race families have tripled since the 1980s, yet few have navigated fame, grief, and activism with Janet’s grace. She homeschooled on the road, hand-built massive kitchen tables in every new house, and turned every meal into a masterclass in justice, culture, and love.
Her children’s combined net worth now exceeds $20 million, but every single one still says the same thing: “Everything we are started at Mom’s table.”
In an age of influencer parents and fractured families, Janet Smollett is living proof that one fierce, loving Black woman can raise an entire generation of dreamers, doers, and changemakers.
Further reading:
Jussie Smollett on Wikipedia
Jurnee Smollett on Wikipedia
Family Instagram: @jurneesmollett | @jakesmollett
