Justice Smith
Justice Smith – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Explore the inspiring life story of Justice Smith—his early years, rise in Hollywood, signature roles, personal journey, and memorable quotes. Dive deep into the actor’s legacy and what we can learn from his path.
Introduction
Justice Elio Smith (born August 9, 1995) is an American actor whose presence has increasingly shaped contemporary film, television, and stage. From breakthrough roles in The Get Down to lead turns in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Detective Pikachu, and All the Bright Places, Smith is a versatile performer whose trajectory continues to inspire. Today, he stands not only as an entertainer, but also as a vocal advocate for queer visibility and mental health. In this article, we’ll walk through the life and career of Justice Smith, review his most memorable quotes, and reflect on the lessons his journey offers to anyone passionate about creativity, identity, and persistence.
Early Life and Family
Justice Smith was born on August 9, 1995, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in a mixed-heritage family: his father, Wayne Smith, is African American, while his mother, Duilia Setacci Smith, has Italian and French-Canadian roots. Smith is one of several siblings; reports vary on the total count, but some sources name brothers Wayne Smith Jr., Richard Smith, and Mark Cruz Smith.
In his youth, he was immersed in arts and performance. He attended the Orange County School of the Arts and graduated in 2013 with a focus in acting. During his senior year, he ranked among the top 1% of young artists in the U.S. by the National Young Arts Foundation and was nominated as a U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts.
Growing up in a multiethnic household and navigating multiple cultural identities likely informed his sensitivity to identity and representation—elements that would later emerge in how he approaches roles and public life.
Youth and Education
From early on, Smith demonstrated creative ambition. After high school, his talent and dedication led him to audition for various roles. At the Orange County School of the Arts, he honed his craft and built relationships in the theater and film communities.
His first credited screen role came in 2012, as a schoolboy in Trigger Finger. From there, he made guest appearances in television series like The Thundermans and in small film roles.
While still early in his career, he also embraced theater: one notable performance was in Yen (Off-Broadway, 2017), where he acted alongside Lucas Hedges. That theater experience reflects his grounding in both screen and stage.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough in Television: The Get Down
Justice Smith’s first breakout role came in the Netflix musical drama The Get Down (2016–2017), where he portrayed Ezekiel “Zeke” Figuero. The series, created by Baz Luhrmann and others, showcased his emotional range and musicality, bringing him to broader attention.
Transition to Film
From television, Justice Smith branched into significant film roles:
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Paper Towns (2015) — He had a supporting role as Marcus “Radar” Lincoln.
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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) — He played Franklin Webb, a pivotal supporting role in the blockbuster franchise.
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Detective Pikachu (2019) — He starred as Tim Goodman in this live-action/CG hybrid.
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All the Bright Places (2020) — A more emotionally driven role, he portrayed Theodore Finch, giving him a chance to carry dramatic weight.
Later films include Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) and I Saw the TV Glow (2024). In I Saw the TV Glow, Smith has spoken about how the project influenced his approach to letting go of performance perfectionism and embracing self-acceptance.
He’s also worked in theater more recently, such as the 2025 production Creditors.
Awards and Recognition
While not yet a major awards magnet, Smith’s steady climb has earned respect in critical and industry circles. His nomination for Off-Broadway merits (e.g. Yen) is evidence of his early respect in the theater community. In 2025, he was invited to join the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).
Advocacy and Public Voice
Smith is increasingly known for speaking candidly about identity, queerness, and mental health. He publicly came out as queer in June 2020. In interviews, he has emphasized that he would not want a career if it meant hiding his truth:
“I wouldn’t want a career in which I couldn’t be myself.”
His participation in Generation (on HBO Max), where he plays a stylish and confident queer teenager, has also highlighted his commitment to representation.
He has also spoken about managing mental health: in past interviews, he disclosed being diagnosed with bipolar II in his teenage years.
In I Saw the TV Glow, he described how obsessing over “perfect performance” had weighed heavily on him, and that a key shift was learning to accept his effort as “enough.”
Historical Milestones & Context
Smith’s career aligns with a moment in Hollywood increasingly focused on inclusion, representation, and expanding the kinds of stories told. His mixed heritage, queer identity, and commitment to authenticity place him at the confluence of multiple modern cultural currents.
He represents a new generation of actors refusing to be pigeonholed. Rather than confining himself to one “type,” he has moved from TV musicals to blockbuster adventure to dramatic romance to psychological thrillers. Each shift marks Hollywood’s slow (but real) opening to actors who embody intersectional identities.
Moreover, his advocacy for queer Black lives within broader movements (for example, during Black Lives Matter) situates him as more than a performer — as a voice in cultural reckoning.
In many ways, Justice Smith is part of a lineage of artists who blur lines: between theater and film, between personal and political, between identity and art.
Legacy and Influence
Though still early in his career, Smith’s trajectory already signals a lasting influence:
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Representation matters: As a queer Black actor in leading and varied roles, he broadens the visibility of identities often marginalized in mainstream media.
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Versatility: Moving fluidly across genres and media, he shows that a modern actor need not be boxed in by expectations.
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Vulnerability as strength: His willingness to speak publicly about mental health and identity adds nuance and depth to what it means to be a celebrity today.
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Cultural bridge: Smith’s mixed heritage allows him to connect across lines — racial, cultural, sexual — inviting audiences into more complex identities.
In years to come, his influence may expand further: mentoring younger performers, producing inclusive projects, and evolving as a cultural figure.
Personality and Talents
Justice Smith is often described as introspective, passionate, and authentic. Peers and interviewers note his seriousness about craft, his emotional intelligence, and his sensitivity to character inner lives.
He combines this with an artistic restlessness: as he’s said, “Everything that I am doing now is what I wanted to do as a kid.” That sentiment implies a lifelong orientation toward creative fulfillment rather than chasing fame alone.
In I Saw the TV Glow, he admitted that he used to push himself so hard about performance that it became a burden. That revelation suggests that he’s learning to balance ambition with self-compassion.
As an actor, he is skilled in emotional subtlety, adaptability across genres (drama, fantasy, thriller, romance), and in bringing vulnerability to characters. His theater background lends depth to his on-screen work, allowing him to inhabit roles from within rather than superficially.
Famous Quotes of Justice Smith
Here are a few notable quotes attributed to Justice Smith:
“Everything that I am doing now is what I wanted to do as a kid.”
“Stay focused and stay determined. Don’t look to anyone else to be your determination — have self-determination. It will take you very far.”
Other quotes often cited include:
“I had a bloody t-shirt and I spray-painted a giant question mark on my t-shirt and had people hold bloody signs saying, ‘Dying to go to prom with you.’”
“I really don’t follow a strict diet; I just watch my fat intake and stay away from fried foods.”
These range from playful anecdotes to grounded reflections. The first two above reveal more about mindset and purpose; the latter reflect glimpses of personal life and humor.
Lessons from Justice Smith
From his journey, several lessons emerge that can resonate beyond actors or artists:
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Start with passion, not prestige.
Smith’s earliest roles were small—stage, TV guest spots—but he built steadily from foundations rooted in what he loved, not what was glamorous. -
Embrace complexity, not constraints.
He resists being boxed in. His mixed heritage, queer identity, and multiplicity of talents all reflect a life lived in complexity, not simple categories. -
Let your authenticity be your filter.
He has said he would not want a career if it required hiding who he is. That principle guides his role selection and public voice. -
Balance striving with self-care.
His candid discussion about perfectionism—and learning when “enough is enough”—is a reminder that growth doesn’t require endless self-punishment. -
Representation matters beyond the screen.
His advocacy, his willingness to speak, and his embodiment of multiple identities show that being seen is itself powerful.
Conclusion
Justice Smith is more than an actor on the rise: he is a storyteller, an advocate, and a reflection of evolving cultural currents. From a young boy with artistic dreams to a performer whose emotional honesty resonates across media, his journey offers lessons in courage, authenticity, and creative persistence.
As his filmography expands and his voice becomes more visible, audiences and future artists alike can look to Justice Smith’s path as one of hope—that we can bring our full selves to our work, that identity is strength, and that growth is both personal and communal.
Explore more quotes, interviews, and deep dives into his roles—and may his example stir you to chase your own creative truth.