Jurnee Smollett
Jurnee Smollett
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Jurnee Diana Smollett is a talented American actress born on October 1, 1986.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: October 1, 1986
Status: Alive
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Actress
Early Life and Background
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Jurnee Smollett was born in Santa Monica, California, to Joel W. Smollett and Jurnee's mother, a flight attendant. Her parents later divorced, and she has two siblings from her father's side of the family. Growing up, Jurnee was exposed to a creative environment; her sister, Jussie Smollett, is also an actress. This exposure likely influenced Jurnee's decision to pursue acting.
Major Accomplishments
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Jurnee's breakthrough role came in 2007 when she starred as Letitia "Letty" Douglas in the film _The Great Debaters_. Her performance earned her a nomination for the NAACP Image Award. In addition to her on-screen work, Jurnee has been recognized for her advocacy efforts.
Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Jurnee's notable works include:
TV Series: _Friday Night Lights_, _True Blood_
Films: _The Great Debaters_ (2007), _Eve's Bayou_ (1997)
* Awards: NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture
Impact and Legacy
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Jurnee Smollett is an influential figure in the entertainment industry, particularly among African American actors. Her work as an advocate has helped raise awareness about social issues.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Jurnee's commitment to her craft and social causes has earned her a reputation as a dedicated actress and advocate.
Quotes by Jurnee Smollett
But really, for me, I tried to find first-person accounts. I tried to read stories from men and women who had survived slavery because it’s different when you hear it from their mouths instead of reading it from a history book.
One of the most tragic things about slavery was the mental enslavement, the way they made us believe that we were worth nothing; and that’s what she’s fighting against.
As an artist, you want to stretch. That’s the only way you’re going to grow. If I stay inside my comfort zone, do roles that I’ve done before, then I’m never going to get better as an actress.
There’s a level of shame attached to our history, and we need to replace that shame with pride and own our history. These are our superheroes. These are our people, and I would love to see us own this side of our history with pride.
When I was younger, I really struggled with confidence. You go through those awkward, dorky, geeky stages, and growing up in the industry amplifies all that. Fortunately, I have a mother who encouraged me to build my confidence from within and embrace my imperfections.
There's a level of shame attached to our history, and we need to replace that shame with pride and own our history. These are our superheroes. These are our people, and I would love to see us own this side of our history with pride.
Fortunately, I come from an activist mother, so I didn't have to rely on the history books. The history books teach us nothing about the Underground Railroad aside from Harriet Tubman. So I knew more about it but, obviously, I had to dig deeper and expand my knowledge and do a lot of research once I took this project on. I had, like, a good two months to research before we started shooting, which isn't a lot, and I continued it throughout the five months of us shooting.
But really, for me, I tried to find first-person accounts. I tried to read stories from men and women who had survived slavery because it's different when you hear it from their mouths instead of reading it from a history book.
Maybe you should think about the choices in your life, how someone can come and spit some kind of game to you and make you doubt every single thing that is your life, your relationship, your appearance, your job, your ambitions, your marriage, and how those thoughts can lead to choices and behavior that you never thought that you were capable of.