Quack, quack, quack, Jamal.
1. Jussie Smollett, who plays Jamal Lyon on Empire, is the breakout star of the hit Fox series.
Chuck Hodes / Fox
Even though we all know Taraji P. Henson, who plays Cookie Lyon, is the star.
2. But what many might not know about the newly beloved actor is that he starred in The Mighty Ducks in 1992.
Walt Disney Pictures.
He played Terry Hall, younger brother of the more outspoken Jesse Hall (played by Brandon Quintin Adams), for the Ducks (formerly known as District 5).
3. In the movie, he was facepalming before it was a thing and making the best “duh” face of all time.
4. But Terry shared a lot with Jamal…
5. Like standing up to authority, i.e. here’s Terry giving his coach, Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez), some serious and warranted attitude, much like Jamal did with his father Lucious (Terrence Howard).
Fox via giphy.com
6. And Terry stuck with his brother Jesse the same way Jamal does with Hakeem (Bryshere Gray).
Fox via dailyempiregifs.tumblr.com
7. And that signature smile proves nothing’s changed in 23 years.
Fox via loveforjussiesmollett.tumblr.com
8. Also, both Terry and Jamal dealt with ignorance. For the former it was race-based…
9. And for the latter it was because of his sexuality.
Fox via dailyempiregifs.tumblr.com
Fox via dailyempiregifs.tumblr.com
13. Watch Jussie Smollett on Empire, which airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox.
Read more: http://www.buzzfeed.com/jaimieetkin/jussie-smollett-of-empire-was-in-the-mighty-ducks