Black Jewish actor Jussie Smollett, best known for his work on the show “Empire,” was hospitalized in Chicago today following an assault that is being described by police as a possible hate crime.
Smollett was exiting a restaurant when two men approached him. The Chicago Police Department reports they “gained his attention by yelling out racial and homophobic slurs towards him.” They then proceeded to attack Smollet, pouring an “unknown chemical substance” on him and wrapping a rope around his neck.
Smollett was born to a Jewish father and African-American mother. He portrays a gay musician on “Empire” named Jamal Lyon. In 2015, Smollett came out as gay, telling Ellen DeGeneres, “I choose not to talk about my personal life. But there is, without a doubt, no closet that I’ve ever been in.”
Smollett is reportedly in good condition at the hospital. Authorities are asking witnesses to come forward and help the investigation into the attack.
Jussie Smollett speaks at the Children’s Defense Fund California’s 28th Annual Beat The Odds Awards at Skirball Cultural Center on December 6, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images/via JTA)
— JTA
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