Empire star Jussie Smollett attacked

Empire star Jussie Smollett is recovering after being attacked by 2 assailants on the streets of Chicago.

Police are investigating a possible hate crime after two men yelled racial and homophobic slurs and wrapped a rope around his neck.

The two unknown assailants reportedly approached Smollett on a Chicago street at about 2am on Tuesday and hit him in the face, poured an “unknown chemical substance” on him and wrapped a rope around his neck before fleeing, police said.

Detectives are gathering video footage from the area and looking for witnesses.

According to CNN, Smollett said he fought back against his attackers. He took himself to hospital, and “is in good condition”, according to police.

Smollett plays Jamal Lyon, one of three sons in the fictional music business clan.

“We are deeply saddened and outraged to learn that a member of our Empire family, Jussie Smollett, was viciously attacked last night,” FOX officials said in a statement.

“The terror of racism and homophobia has no place in our society, it is the most indecent way to live,” Empire co-creator Danny Strong said on Twitter.

A spokesperson for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation told CNN they had reached out to Smollett to offer assistance and support.

Chicago police denied earlier media reports that “This is MAGA [Make America Great Again] country!” was yelled by the attackers during the attack.

Source: ABC