Empire star Jussie Smollett hospitalised after horror ‘homophobic, racist’ attack

Empire actor Jussie Smollett is in hospital after a horrifying street attack by two masked men who poured bleach over him. WARNING: Disturbing.

Actor Jussie Smollett has been attacked in an apparent homophobic attack which left the Empire star hospitalised, TMZ has reported.

According to the entertainment website, the incident happened at around 2am local time (7pm AEDT) on Tuesday in Chicago.

According to reports, the 35-year-old was physically assaulted by two people who “placed a noose” around the actor’s neck and yelled “this is MAGA country”, referring to Donald Trump’s controversial slogan.

Jussie Smollett (far left) with Empire co-stars Taraji P. Henson, Grace Gealey and Trai Byers. Picture: Splash news

Sources connected to the actor reportedly told TMZ that Smollett had arrived late in Chicago - where he shoots Empire - from New York and went to a Subway sandwich shop to get some food when the two men started yelling homophobic and racial slurs.

TMZ reported that when he walked out, someone yelled, “Aren’t you that f***ot Empire n*****?”

The two then allegedly started assaulting the actor while pouring bleach on him.

A noose was said to have been tied around his neck during the attack.

Sources close to the singer told TMZ that both of the men were white and yelled that “this is MAGA country”.

People wearing #mags hats perpetrated this violence. They called him the F word and poured bleach on him. @realDonaldTrump is this how you intend to make America great? This is on you and your daily vitriolic spew. I weep for Jussie and what you have done to my country. pic.twitter.com/w07OT9H0wB

— Lea DeLaria (@realleadelaria) January 29, 2019

Jussie Smollett (far left) with his Empire castmates, Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, Trai Byers and Bryshere Y. Gray. Picture: Supplied

The actor was taken to a nearby hospital where it was reported he suffered a fractured rib.

Smollett has reportedly been the target of other attacks; US website ThatGrapeJuice also published abusive letters that the actor had recently received, saying, “You will die black f**”.

Actor Jussie Smollett and singer Nicole Scherzinger at the 2017 Billboard Music Awardsin Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images

Chicago police released a statement saying they were treating the attack as a “possible hate crime”.

Police described the attack as a “racially charged assault and battery”, describing how the offenders “poured a chemical substance on the victim” and “wrapped a rope” around the actor’s neck.

This is heartbreaking and terrifying...please pay attention to what’s happening here. Sending all my love to @JussieSmollett https://t.co/YTJ6bwLDkZ

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) January 29, 2019

DEAR GOD! Prayers and justice for Jussie Smollett.

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) January 29, 2019

Praying for a speedy recovery for @JussieSmollett after surviving a horrific homophobic & racist attack in Chicago. https://t.co/U3xKtMMv3c

— Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) January 29, 2019

I am so sorry to hear what happened to @JussieSmollett. It’s unacceptable. I hope he knows how many people are thinking of him and committed to holding this administration and its ilk accountable for this hothouse of hate being fostered.

— roxane gay (@rgay) January 29, 2019

This is happening. NOW. In OUR country. https://t.co/C1Zxsx9Y9Q

— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (@jessetyler) January 29, 2019

FFS. Love to @JussieSmollett https://t.co/GytzbaxADD

— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) January 29, 2019

Singer Zendaya and actors Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Kerry Washington were among the celebrities who took to Twitter to offer the actor support.

Actor Jussie Smollett, a 2019 inductee of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, left, with US Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson and actor Danny Glover. Picture: AP

The actor announced he was gay in 2015 during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, during which he said he hoped his coming out would help other gay people feel less alone.

Smollett has starred as Jamal Lyon, who is also gay, on the hit series of Empire for the past five seasons.

The showfollows the powerhouse Lyon family who dominate the music industry. Taraji P Henson and Terrance Howard also star.

Jessie Smollett with fellow actor Angela Bassett. Picture: Instagram