Jurnee Smollett-Bell

About

Jurnee Diana Smollett (born October 1, 1986) is an American actress. Smollett began her career as a child actress appearing on television sitcoms, including On Our Own (1994–1995) and Full House (1992–1994). As an adult, Smollett has starred in the films The Great Debaters (2007), Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013), and Birds of Prey (2020). Her television roles include the NBC sports drama Friday Night Lights (2009–2011), the HBO fantasy horror drama True Blood (2013–2014), the WGN America period drama Underground (2016–2017), and the HBO horror drama Lovecraft Country (2020). For the latter, she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

Known for

Grey's AnatomySeries • 2005HouseSeries • 2004ERSeries • 1994NYPD BlueSeries • 1993Full HouseSeries • 1987True BloodSeries • 2008Strong MedicineSeries • 2000ParenthoodSeries • 2010Sofia the FirstSeries • 2013Friday Night LightsSeries • 2006MartinSeries • 1992Lovecraft CountrySeries • 2020The Twilight ZoneSeries • 2019Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildSeries • 1995Hangin' with Mr. CooperSeries • 1992SmokeSeries • 2025Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)Movie • 2020The DefendersSeries • 2010CosbySeries • 1996Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of AmericaSeries • 2026UndergroundSeries • 2016JackMovie • 1996Gridiron GangMovie • 2006The OrderMovie • 2024