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Joel David Smallbone (born 5 June 1984) is an Australian-American singer and actor. He is a member of the Christian pop duo For King & Country along with his brother Luke Smallbone. He played the role of James Stevens in the 2016 film Priceless. He directed the 2024 American Christian drama film Unsung Hero, plus playing the role of his father David Smallbone.[1][unreliable source?]
Joel Smallbone | |
|---|---|
 Smallbone in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 5 June 1984 Sydney, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
| Member of | For King & Country |
| Spouse | Moriah Peters (m. 2013) |
Joel married Christian music artist and actress, Moriah Peters (known professionally as MORIAH) in 2013.
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Smallbone was born in Sydney, but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991.[2] He is the brother of Luke Smallbone and younger brother of Christian recording artist and speaker Rebecca St. James. Smallbone is also the brother-in-law of Jacob Fink, former bassist for the band Foster the People.[3]
Smallbone's father was a music promoter, and Joel recalls, "going to these rock concerts, sitting on my father's shoulders, plugging my ears...Honestly, in a lot of ways I feel like music chose me and as I grew older, I made a clear decision to fully lean into it."[4]
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Smallbone did background vocals for his sister Rebecca as well as operating lights and managing the stage.[5] He collaborated with his brother Luke and in 2008 they released their first EP, A Tale of Two Towns, performing under the name Austoville.[2] The group was signed to Warner Bros. Records and later changed its name to For King & Country.[2]
Smallbone began his acting career in 2013 by playing King Xerxes in The Book of Esther and as Jake Reeson in Like a Country Song.[6] In 2016, Smallbone was cast in the leading role of James Stevens in the film Priceless.[7]
Smallbone won two Grammy awards in 2014 and was nominated for another Grammy in 2016[8][9]
Discography
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| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | The Book of Esther | King Xerxes | |
| 2014 | Like a Country Song | Jake Reeson | |
| 2016 | Priceless | James Stevens | |
| 2023 | Journey To Bethlehem | Antipater | |
| 2024 | Unsung Hero | David Smallbone | also director |
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