Justice Smith Bio, Age, Height, Career, Movies, Partner & Facts

Justice Elio Smith is an American actor known for his versatile performances in both blockbuster films and independent projects. He rose to prominence with roles in Netflix’s The Get Down, the Jurassic World franchise, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, All the Bright Places, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, and I Saw the TV Glow.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Justice Elio Smith was born on August 9, 1995, in Los Angeles, California. He is the middle child in a large family of nine siblings. His father, Wayne Smith, is African-American, and his mother, Duilia Setacci, has Italian and French-Canadian ancestry. Both parents worked as musicians, and Smith grew up in a creative household.

He developed an early interest in performing and attended the Orange County School of the Arts, graduating in 2013 with a focus on acting. During high school he performed in local theatre productions around Orange County. In his senior year he ranked in the top 1% of young artists recognized by the National YoungArts Foundation and received a nomination for the U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts. His first professional job was an Apple commercial as a teenager.

Career Journey

Early Roles

Smith began appearing on screen in the early 2010s. Early credits include the film Trigger Finger (2012), the web series Miss Guidance (2014), and two episodes of Nickelodeon’s The Thundermans (as Angus). He also appeared in the HBO documentary series Masterclass and Vlogbrothers videos.

Breakthrough

His first major film role came in 2015 as Marcus “Radar” Lincoln in the John Green adaptation Paper Towns. In 2016 he landed the lead role of Ezekiel “Books” Figuero in Baz Luhrmann’s Netflix musical drama series The Get Down, which depicted the rise of hip-hop in the Bronx. Smith immersed himself in the role, including living in a Bronx apartment during preparation.

Film Success

Smith gained wider recognition in 2018 with the role of systems analyst Franklin Webb in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (reprising the part in Jurassic World: Dominion in 2022). That same year he appeared in the romantic drama Every Day.

In 2019 he starred as Tim Goodman opposite Ryan Reynolds’ voice performance in the live-action/CGI film Pokémon: Detective Pikachu. In 2020 he co-starred with Elle Fanning in the Netflix drama All the Bright Places, playing Theodore Finch.

Notable later credits include:

• Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) — ensemble fantasy adventure
• I Saw the TV Glow (2024) — critically discussed A24 film
• Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025)
• Voice work in the video game The Quarry (2022)
• Other projects such as Ron’s Gone Wrong, The Voyeurs, and Sharper

He has also performed on stage, including an Off-Broadway production of Yen opposite Lucas Hedges. In 2017 he was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. In 2025 he was invited to join the Actors Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

Personal Life

Smith came out as queer in an Instagram post on June 5, 2020. He has been in a relationship with actor Nicholas L. Ashe. The couple appeared together in a Calvin Klein campaign in 2022. In 2025 comments, Smith discussed his experiences with attraction and relationships, noting a preference for the freedom he finds in same-sex partnerships while clarifying ongoing attraction to women as well.

He is not related to Will Smith or the actor’s family despite the shared surname. Smith has expressed enthusiasm for Pokémon and has spoken thoughtfully about representation and casting in projects such as I Saw the TV Glow.

Dating History / Relationships

Publicly known relationship is with Nicholas L. Ashe. Earlier reports mentioned other connections, but he has kept much of his personal life relatively private compared with his professional work.

Controversies

Smith has largely avoided major public controversies. Discussions around his casting in I Saw the TV Glow (a film exploring themes related to the trans experience) prompted him to address representation questions thoughtfully in interviews, emphasizing support for trans actors telling their own stories while explaining the specific metaphorical structure of that project.

Awards & Achievements

• Forbes 30 Under 30 (2017)
• National YoungArts Foundation recognition (top 1% of young artists)
• Nomination for U.S. Presidential Scholar of the Arts
• Invitation to the Actors Branch of AMPAS (2025)
• Lead and supporting roles in major studio and independent films spanning multiple genres

Physical Statistics

• Height: 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m)
• Weight: Approximately 74 kg / 163 lbs (estimates vary)
• Athletic build suited to both dramatic and action-oriented roles

Quotes

Smith has spoken about authenticity, creative immersion (such as method approaches for The Get Down), and personal growth in interviews. He has discussed moving past habits of apologizing for himself and embracing confidence in both his craft and identity.

Favorites

He is a known Pokémon fan. Creative performance, theatre, and collaborative storytelling appear central to his interests.

Earnings / Net Worth

Public estimates of Justice Smith’s net worth commonly range from about $1 million to $5 million, drawn primarily from film and television salaries, residuals, and related work. Exact figures are not publicly confirmed in detail.

Interesting Facts

• He is one of nine siblings in a musical family.
• He lived in a dilapidated Bronx apartment while preparing for The Get Down.
• Despite the last name, he has no family relation to Will Smith.
• He learned to rap for his role in The Get Down.
• He was recognized as a top young artist by the National YoungArts Foundation while still in high school.
• He appeared in a Calvin Klein campaign with his partner Nicholas L. Ashe.
• He is an avid Pokémon fan who later starred in a major Pokémon film.

Did You Know Already?

• Justice Smith’s full name is Justice Elio Smith.
• He was born on August 9, 1995, in Los Angeles.
• He played Franklin Webb in two Jurassic World films.
• He starred as Tim Goodman in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu.
• He came out as queer in 2020 and is in a relationship with actor Nicholas L. Ashe.

Social Media Links

Smith maintains a presence on platforms such as Instagram (accounts associated with his name have been used for professional and personal updates). Official or verified profiles are the most reliable sources for current activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Justice Smith?
He was born on August 9, 1995, and is 30 years old as of 2026.

What is Justice Smith’s height?
He is 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) tall.

Is Justice Smith related to Will Smith?
No. Despite the shared last name, there is no family relation.

Who is Justice Smith dating?
He is in a relationship with actor Nicholas L. Ashe.

What are Justice Smith’s most famous roles?
Key roles include Ezekiel Figuero in The Get Down, Franklin Webb in the Jurassic World films, Tim Goodman in Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Theodore Finch in All the Bright Places, and parts in Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and I Saw the TV Glow.

Conclusion

Justice Smith has built a steadily expanding career marked by range—moving between large-scale studio franchises, thoughtful independent films, television, stage, and voice work. From his breakthrough in The Get Down to blockbuster appearances and critically noted performances, he continues to take on varied and challenging roles while speaking openly about identity and craft. Share this biography if you found the details on his life and work helpful.