Joel Smallbone
Joel David Smallbone is an Australian singer and actor. He is a member of the Christian pop duo For [King & Country (band)|For King & Country] along with his brother Luke Smallbone.
Aside from his music career, Smallbone played James Stevens in the 2016 film Priceless and Antipater in the 2023 film Journey to Bethlehem. He directed the 2024 American Christian drama film Unsung Hero, and played the role of his father David Smallbone.
Early life
Smallbone was born in Sydney, but moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1991. 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.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."
Career
Smallbone provided backing vocals for his sister Rebecca in addition to light operation and stage management. 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. The group was signed to Warner Bros. Records and later changed their name to For King & Country.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. In 2016, Smallbone was cast in the leading role of James Stevens in the film Priceless.In December 2025, he was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.
Smallbone won two Grammy awards in 2014 and was nominated for another Grammy in 2016.