'Empire' star brutally attacked, hospitalized in possible hate crime

In a disturbing and brutal attack, “Empire” star Jussie Smollett was hospitalized in what police are investigating as a hate crime, ABC News has confirmed.

The Chicago Police Department tell ABC News that the 36-year-old “Empire” actor was in Chicago early Tuesday walking outside when someone shouted racial and homophobic slurs at him.

Two men then attacked the actor, poured “an unknown chemical substance” on him, and wrapped a rope around his neck.

Smollett was treated at the nearby Northwestern Memorial Hospital, police said. Chicago PD added that they “are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime.”

“Detectives are currently working to gather video, identify potential witnesses and establish an investigative timeline. The victim is fully cooperating with investigators and we ask anyone with information about this incident to contact Area Central Detectives at 312-747-8382 or report it anonymously to www.cpdtip.com,” police said in their statement.

Beyond being an actor, Smollett is an outspoken activist and a symbol of hope to many fans.

He was recently inducted into the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project earlier this month and publicly announced he was supporting Time’s Up’s 4 percent challenge to get more female talent calling the creative shots on important Hollywood projects.

Smollett’s “Empire” character is the son of a hip-hop mogul who initially has trouble accepting that he is gay.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.