TV 104: Jurnee Smolett

She's all grown up now, but chances are you remember her as that cute side kick of the Olsen twins on Full House. Even then, she pulled her weight quite brilliantly. The years have taken her from spunky cute to amazingly beautiful. That's right, this is the oh-so very talented Jurnee Smollett.

Naturally, she's got the awards to prove it. She was nominated for four Image Awards, and won three. More recently, she won Best Actress for The Great Debaters (2008). Journee also won Broadcast Film Critics Award for Best Performance by a Child Actor Eve's Bayou (1998), a Vision award for her role on Cosby (1996) and three NAACP Image Awards.

Perhaps you might remember her role in The Great Debaters with Denzel Washington. This past February was a fabulous month for her. She walked the red carpet with her new fiance, up and coming singer, Josiah Bell.

This past June she's been gracing us on Friday Night Lights as the wonderful Jess; a smart, sly girl not afraid to kick a football.
Journee has a way of making her characters so independent. One fan said she has "the heart of an old soul." Maybe she does. Her portrayal of Jess is remarkable and it is possibly her last teen role because Jurnee is moving on.

Hopefully, she'll keep doing what she's doing. Her next project is on The Defenders TV series. She is definitely an actress to watch for. With her body of work and her talent, she's an excellent role model for little girls to look up to. Jurnee certainly sets the standard high and more power to her for being all grown up and here to stay in the business of film and TV.

You can catch episodes at NBC Friday Night Lights.