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Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell (born Jurnee Diana Smollett; October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Jess Merriweather on the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights. Her most notable films are Eve's Bayou and The Great Debaters. Smollett was born in New York City, the daughter of Janet, a humanitarian and civil rights activist, and Joel Smollett. Her father is Jewish and her mother is African American. Smollett's parents separated in 1997, later finalizing that six-year separation with divorce in 2003. The fourth of six performing siblings,... MORE

Jurnee Diana Smollett-Bell (born Jurnee Diana Smollett; October 1, 1986) is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Jess Merriweather on the critically acclaimed television series Friday Night Lights. Her most notable films are Eve's Bayou and The Great Debaters. Smollett was born in New York City, the daughter of Janet, a humanitarian and civil rights activist, and Joel Smollett. Her father is Jewish and her mother is African American. Smollett's parents separated in 1997, later finalizing that six-year separation with divorce in 2003. The fourth of six performing siblings, she received critical acclaim for her performance as ten-year-old Eve in the independent film Eve's Bayou (1997). In casting the role, writer-director Kasi Lemmons envisioned "a light-skinned black child who could convey the nuances of a Creole child in the 60s." She co-starred with her siblings in the ABC television comedy On Our Own (1994–1995) and guest appeared in numerous television shows: Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Full House, Martin, Wanda At Large, House, Grey's Anatomy, etc. Smollett co-starred in the last two seasons of Friday Night Lights. Smollett was featured in the 1996 Francis Ford LESS