Jurnee Smollett, known for her impressive career that began when she was just a child, is now navigating the journey of motherhood with her 8-year-old son, Hunter.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 38-year-old actress opened up about her role as a mom, her son’s growing interest in acting, and whether she would encourage him to follow in her footsteps.
Hunter’s Growing Interest in Acting
Smollett, who shares her son with ex-husband Josiah Bell, says Hunter is already showing signs of taking an interest in the world of film and television.
“He loves it,” she admits, sharing a story of how he recently spent time with her on set and impressed everyone with his ability to stay quiet and observe the action. “He said to them, ‘I grew up on sets.’ And it’s true.”
As an 8-year-old, Hunter is becoming more curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of filmmaking. “He’ll be asking the writers, ‘Well, what happens in episode 3? Well, okay, but then what happens?’”
Smollett reveals. “He’s fascinated by the magic of cinema” and sometimes even gets a chance to be in the background of scenes, like in a recent episode of Smoke, where he made a cameo during a kid’s birthday party scene.
No Pressure to Follow in Her Footsteps
While Hunter seems interested in the entertainment world, Smollett is careful not to place any pressure on him to pursue acting professionally. “I get asked this question a lot,” she says, explaining that while she wouldn’t prevent him from exploring acting, she wouldn’t want him to dive into the industry at a young age.
“I don’t know that I would let him audition when he was young or do the whole hustle.”
Instead, Smollett envisions Hunter exploring a variety of fields. “I think I’d encourage him to study it, take classes and workshops. But my goal is to expose him to as many different fields and see what sticks.”
Smollett mentions that Hunter is already excelling in other areas, such as sports—playing basketball and baseball—and is particularly strong in math and science.
“He can do math way higher than his grade level and loves science,” she says, adding that Hunter is always doing science experiments at home with everyday items like baking soda and vinegar.
A Look Back at Jurnee’s Own Childhood in Acting
Jurnee Smollett’s career began early; she was acting in front of cameras when she was just 10 months old. By the time she was Hunter’s age, she had already gained recognition for her role as Denise, the best friend of Michelle Tanner (played by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) in Full House. However, she admits that her true passion for acting didn’t come until later.
“It wasn’t until I did Eve’s Bayou, when I was 10 years old with Samuel Jackson, that I fell in love with the craft,” she recalls. The film, which won her a Critics’ Choice Award in 1998, marked a turning point in Smollett’s acting career, where she began to truly connect with her characters and feel the artistic high of the craft.
Encouraging Hunter’s Interests
Though Smollett is hesitant to push Hunter into acting, she understands the allure the industry holds, especially since he’s been exposed to it for so much of his life. She also believes in giving him the freedom to explore different passions.
“I think it’s natural if he’s around mommy telling stories that there’s a good chance he’ll want to go into it, but I also want him to have options.”
Smollett’s Latest Project: Smoke
While Smollett is busy balancing motherhood with her acting career, she is currently starring in Smoke, an Apple TV+ crime drama where she plays an arson investigator.
New episodes of Smoke drop every Friday, and fans can watch Smollett in her latest role while also enjoying her updates about motherhood and her son’s potential future in the industry.
