Joel Smallbone | |
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 Smallbone in 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Joel David Smallbone (1984-06-05)5 June 1984 (age 41) Sydney, Australia |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Instruments |
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| Member of | For King & Country |
Spouse | Moriah Peters (m. 2013) |
Joel David Smallbone (born 5 June 1984) is an Australian singer and actor. He is a member of theChristian pop duoFor King & Country along with his brother Luke Smallbone.
Aside from his music career, Smallbone played James Stevens in the 2016 filmPriceless andAntipater in the 2023 filmJourney to Bethlehem. He directed the 2024 American Christian drama filmUnsung Hero, and played the role of his father David Smallbone.[1][unreliable source?]
Smallbone was born inSydney, but moved toNashville, Tennessee in 1991.[2] He is the brother of Luke Smallbone and younger brother of Christian recording artist and speakerRebecca St. James. Smallbone is also the brother-in-law ofJacob Fink, former bassist for the bandFoster 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]
Smallbone provided backing vocals for his sister Rebecca in addition to light operation and stage management.[5] He collaborated with his brother Luke and in 2008 they released their first EP,A Tale of Two Towns, initially performing under the name Austoville.[2] The group was signed toWarner Bros. Records and later changed their name to For King & Country.[2]
Smallbone began his acting career in 2013 by playingKing Xerxes inThe Book of Esther and as Jake Reeson inLike a Country Song.[6] In 2016, Smallbone was cast in the leading role of James Stevens in the filmPriceless.[7] In December 2025, he was a guest narrator atDisney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.[8]
Smallbone won two Grammy awards in 2014 and was nominated for another Grammy in 2016.[9][10]
Joel married Christian music artist and actress, Moriah Peters (known professionally as MORIAH) in 2013.
| 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 |
| 2026 | Young Washington | William Fairfax | Filming |
Media related toJoel Smallbone at Wikimedia Commons