History Characters / Empire

* VocalTic: You can tell he's upset when he starts drawing out his woooooooords.

%%* WalkingSpoiler

%%* TheIngenue

%%* BigBeautifulWoman

%%* DeadpanSnarker

%%* AddledAddict

%%* SatelliteLoveInterest

%%* TheFashionista
* FriendsWithBenefits: The nature of their relationship, though Camilla has other plans.
* WhatTheHellHero: When Camilla decides she's sick of being Hakeem's dirty secret.

%%* TheBeard

-> Played by: Terrance Howard

* AbusiveParent: Is one towards Jamal for being gay.

* DarkSecret: In addition to his ALS, he also [[spoiler: murdered Bunky.]]

* SecretlyDying: Lucious is diagnosed with the incurable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and has thus started the series by trying to see which of his sons will make a suitable heir. His illness is a secret that only a few are aware of.
* VillainProtagonist: Lucious is the central character of the show. He also physically and emotionally abuses his gay son, forced his first wife to take the fall for him after running drugs then divorced her in prison, beat up the manager of one of his artists because he was getting on his nerves, and [[spoiler: murders his cousin in-law and best friend because he was getting greedy.]]

-> Played by: Teraji P. Henson

Lucious' spirited ex-wife and the mother of his children. A former drug dealer incarcerated after a bust, she is released from prison after serving 17 years. It was her money that launched Empire Records and she believes she rightfully owns half the company.

* BoringButPractical: Subverted. She is not a musician herself and primarily works as a manager behind the scenes, but needless to say, "boring" is the last word one would use to describe her.
* BreakoutCharacter: Is unarguably the true star of the show, which Fox picked up on rather early:
-->'''Announcer:''' Hungry for more Cookie? An all new ''Empire'' is coming up next!"
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Despite her fiery personality and ghetto upbringing, she's a very capable manager with a well-trained ear who knows how to bring the best out of her artists and get the hype train moving.

-->'''Cookie:''' (to Lucious) I went away for a long time for you to build all of this. I missed my sons growing up. I'm gonna make some things right.
* SassyBlackWoman: This woman could cause a scene standing alone in an empty room. What keeps her from being a caricature is the fact that she does show emotional depth, particularly when it comes to her sons and [[spoiler: late cousin.]]

-> Played by: Trai Byers

The eldest Lyon son, who lacks musical talent but is a shrewd businessman and Chief Financial Officer of Empire. His bipolar disorder causes him to switch between being the dutiful son who's content with his role in the company, and a GreenEyedMonster who resents being written off as a pencil pusher and is determined to sabotage his musically-gifted brothers so that he himself can run Empire. Is married to Rhonda.

* GreenEyedMonster: Envies his brothers' musical talent since he believes this makes him TheUnFavourite in his father's eyes.

* MoodSwinger: Whether he's the dutiful son/big brother or the green-eyed monster depends on how faithfully he's taking his meds.
** He has particularly bad episode after learning of his father's ALS. It begins with him throwing a tantrum in front of the family and ends with him at home hyperventilating in a ShowerOfAngst.

->Played by: Jussie Smollett

The Lyons' middle son, an aspiring R&B singer. He's openly gay with his family and friends, creating tension (to say the least) with homophobic Lucious. However, he's closeted in the public eye, creating tension with his boyfriend Michael. With Cookie as his manager, he is determined to make his own way without his father's influence.

* BadassGay: Jamal is capable of taking care of himself. Hakeem learned this the hard way when he confronted Jamal.

* MamasBoy: Of the three Lyon boys, he's the closest with Cookie.

* SingerSongwriter: Though his pride makes him reluctant to let others write his music.

->Played by: Bryshere "Yazz" Gray

-> Played by: Kaitlin Doubleday

->Played by: Antoine [=McKay=]

Lucious' bodyguard and close friend, and Cookie's cousin. [[spoiler: Lucious kills him when he tries to blackmail him for more money.]]

* ComicRelief: Not laugh out loud funny, but his scenes tended to be more light-hearted. [[spoiler: Until he's killed.]]

* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Is murdered by Lucious at the end of the first episode. Unlike most examples of this, Bunky's death resonates through the first season. Cookie is heartbroken that her cousin is dead, while Lucious keeps the fact that he murdered him a closely-guarded secret.]]

* WalkingSpoiler

->Played by: Grace Gealey

* BitchInSheepsClothing, ManipulativeBitch, RichBitch: Practically every "bitch" trope applies to her, such as making nice with Elle just so she could spike her drink and make her too intoxicated to perform at the big investor showcase. Since Elle's recovery is Cookie's pet project, it was all an attempt to make a fool out of her.
* ButNotTooBlack: While the Lyon family are all pretty fair-skinned themselves, Anika takes the cake and Cookie is quick to call her on it. Turns out she's mixed.

-->"I'm a debutante. Do you know what that means? It means I can cut your throat without messing up my pearls."

->Played by: Malik Yoba

* WhatTheHellHero: While "hero" is debatable, Vernon does ''not'' take kindly to being left out the loop about [[spoiler: Bunky's murder.]]

->Played by: Serayah [=McNiell=]

* TheIngenue

->Played by: Gabourey Sidibe

* BigBeautifulWoman

--> "I told them I was [[{{Transsexual}} pre-op]] and they didn't want to check!"

->Played by: Ta'Rhonda Jones

* DeadpanSnarker

->Played by: Courtney Love

Empire Records' first non-hiphop artist and one of their earliest successes. Unfortunately, she hasn't put out a hit in years and is on the verge of being dropped before Cookie takes her as her personal project.

* AddledAddict

* WhiteDwarfStarlet: Her best years are loooong behind her, but she thinks she's still got it despite living in a motel and sleeping with random junkies

->Played by: Raphael de la Fuente

* SatelliteLoveInterest

->Played by: Naomi Campbell

* TheFashionista

->Played by: Raven-Symoné

* TheBeard

* ScrewThisImOuttaHere: Michael leaves Jamal when the latter declares himself single on tv, and his supposed daughter pops up.

A former back-up dancer and Jamal's ex-wife, a sham marriage when he was 18, set up by Lucious to make him look straight. She has a daughter that she claims is Jamal's.

* DarkSecret: Only his wife Rhonda knows he's bipolar.

* GreenEyedMonster: The real reason she hates Cookie is because Cookie is still in love with Lucious, and as time goes by, it becomes clear that he still holds a torch for her as well.

* RichBitch: Was born into money and raised a debutante. Interestingly, she comes across as a decent person ninety percent of the time and has a great relationship with the boys; only with Cookie does she bring out her inner bitch.

Jamal's boyfriend, who fears that Jamal's growing fame will drive the two apart.

* FriendsWithBenefits: The nature of their relationship. Camilla is content with being Hakeem's side-piece when he starts dating Tiana.
-->(after Tiana walks in on them) "Amateur! Never give your girl a key to your place!"

* FanNickname: "Boo Boo Kitty." Cookie only called her this once, but it has become a fandom nickname for Anika.

->Played by: Bryshere Y. Gray

->Played by: Serayah

->Played by: Gabourey Sidbe

!Luscious Lyon

The patriarch of the Lyon Family and CEO of Empire Records, Luscious is a '90s gangsta rapper who has retired from making his own music to run the company. His declining health and wanting what's best for his family and company in the event of his death drives the series.

* SecretlyDying: Luscious is diagnosed with the incurable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and has thus started the series by trying to see which of his sons will make a suitable heir. His illness is a secret that only a few are aware of.

Luscious' spirited ex-wife and the mother of his children. A former drug dealer incarcerated after a bust, she is released from prison after serving 17 years. It was her money that launched Empire Records and she believes she rightfully owns half the company.

* AnimalMotif: Despite being a Lyon, she has an affinity for leopard print, hinting that she's similar to Luscious but cut from a different cloth.

* LadyMacbeth: She did all the groundwork to get Empire Records up and running, which she will not let Luscious forget.

* OpenMindedParent: Had always known Jamal was gay and had to defend him from Luscious' violent outburst when he found out.

* BoringButPractical: Is an accountant rather than a musician. Luscious believes this makes him unfit to run Empire, but Andre seeks to prove him wrong.

The Lyons' middle son, an aspiring R&B singer. He's openly gay with his family and friends, creating tension (to say the least) with homophobic Luscious. However, he's closeted in the public eye, creating tension with his boyfriend Michael. With Cookie as his manager, he is determined to make his own way without his father's influence.

* RichesToRags: The series starts off with Jamal and Michael living in a lavish apartment that Luscious is paying for, and he threatens to cut Jamal off if he comes out to the press. Jamal later decides to strike out on his own without his father's money, moving into a cramped ghetto apartment in Bushwick and working with a local recording studio. He's still closeted, however, much to Michael's chagrin.

The youngest son, Hakeem is a womanizing playboy who aspires to be a rapper like his father. He is Luscious' favorite son, but Hakeem resents living in his shadow. This doesn't stop him from spending his dad's money like water and being more concerned with fame and glamour than the hard work to earn it.

Luscious' bodyguard and close friend, and Cookie's cousin. [[spoiler: Luscious kills him when he tries to blackmail him for more money.]]

* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Is murdered by Luscious at the end of the first episode. Unlike most examples of this, Bunky's death resonates through the first season. Cookie is heartbroken that her cousin is dead, while Luscious keeps the fact that he murdered him a closely-guarded secret.]]

Luscious' current lover and the head of A&R. She takes an instant dislike of Cookie for obvious reasons.

* GreenEyedMonster: The real reason she hates Cookie is because Cookie is still in love with Luscious, and as time goes by, it becomes clear that he still holds a torch for her as well.

Luscious' best friend and business partner.

Luscious' secretary.

* {{Fangirl}}: For Tay-O. She completely loses her shit when Luscious gives her Hakeem's backstage passes to his show. It was primarily to punish Hakeem for being unmotivated, but she hardly cared about the details.
* SecretKeeper: Accidentally finds out about Luscious' illness. He swears her to secrecy.

* {{Expy}}: His musical style and sexuality are reminiscent of Music/FrankOcean.

The patriarch of the Lyon Family and CEO of Empire Records, Luscious is a 90's gangsta rapper who has retired from making his own music to run the company. His declining health and wanting what's best for his family and company in the event of his death drives the series.

* DarkSecret: In addition to his ALS, he also [[spoiler: murdered Bunky]].

* VillainProtagonist: Lucious is the central character of the show. He also physically and emotionally abuses his gay son, forced his first wife to take the fall for him after running drugs then divorced her in prison, beat up the manager of one of his artists because he was getting on his nerves, and [[spoiler: murders his cousin in-law and best friend because he was getting greedy]].

* FishOutOfTemporalWater: Downplayed. Given that she was locked up in the late 90's, she had to be brought up to speed on things like social media and other changes in pop culture, though she adapted quickly.

* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: On Hakeem after he calls her a bitch.

* SassyBlackWoman: Good '''Lord.''' This woman could cause a scene standing alone in an empty room. What keeps her from being a caricature is the fact that she does show emotional depth, particularly when it comes to her sons and [[spoiler: late cousin]].

The eldest Lyon son, who lacks musical talent but is a shrewd businessman and Chief Financial Officer of Empire. His bipolar disorder causes him to switch between being the dutiful son who's content with his role in the company, and a GreenEyedMonster who resents being written off as a pencil-pusher and is determined to sabotage his musically-gifted brothers so that he himself can run Empire. Is married to Rhonda.

* GreenEyedMonster: Envies his brothers' musical talent since he believes this makes him TheUnfavorite in his father's eyes.

* {{Expy}}: His musical style and sexuality are reminiscent of Music/FrankOcean

* RichesToRags: The series starts off with Jamal and Michael living in a lavish apartment...that Luscious is paying for, and he threatens to cut Jamal off if he comes out to the press. Jamal later decides to strike out on his own without his father's money, moving into a cramped ghetto apartment in Bushwick and working with a local recording studio. He's still closeted however, much to Michael's chagrin.

Luscious' bodyguard and close friend, and Cookie's cousin. [[spoiler: Luscious kills him when he tries to blackmail him for more money]].

* ComicRelief: Not laugh-out-loud funny, but his scenes tended to be more light-hearted. [[spoiler: Until he's killed]].
* [[spoiler: PosthumousCharacter: He still appears in flashbacks, to say nothing of when his dead body washed ashore.]]
* [[spoiler: TooDumbToLive: Was it ''really'' the best idea to blackmail a man that you know is capable of killing in cold blood?]]
* [[spoiler: SacrificialLamb: Is murdered by Luscious at the end of the first episode. Unlike most examples of this trope, Bunky's death resonates through the first season. Cookie is heartbroken that her cousin is dead, while Luscious keeps the fact that he murdered him a closely-guarded secret.]]

Luscious' current lover and the head of A&R. She takes an instant dislike of Cookie for rather obvious reasons.

* GreenEyedMonster: The real reason she hates Cookie is because Cookie is still in love with Luscious, and as time goes on it becomes clear that he still holds a torch for her as well.

* WhatTheHellHero: While "hero" is debatable, Vernon does ''not'' take kindly to being left out the loop about [[spoiler: Bunky's murder]].

-->(After Tiana walks in on them) "Amateur! Never give your girl a key to your place!"

A pop singer signed to Empire Records who quickly takes a liking to Hakeem.

* SassyBlackWoman: Good '''Lord.''' This woman could cause a scene standing alone in an empty room. What keeps her from being a caricature is the fact that she does show emotional depth, particularly when it comes to her sons and late cousin.

* ManipulativeBastard: He set up Jamal to be robbed by Hakeem's hoodlum friends, while pinning the blame ''on'' Hakeem.

* TheFashionista: It's literally her job, though her own style is relatively conservative compared to other ladies on the show.
* LadyMacbeth: She is Andre's driving force, pushing him to earn his father's respect as well as hers. She outed Tiana as bisexual in an attempt to humiliate Hakeem, helped set up Jamal getting robbed by Hakeem's friends, and effortlessly talks to Andre in code over the phone about their schemes.

Luscious' bodyguard, close friend, and Cookie's cousin. [[spoiler: Luscious kills him when he tries to blackmail him for more money]].

* VillainProtagonist: Lucious is the central character of the show. He also physically and emotionally abuses his gay son, forced his first wife to take the fall for him after running drugs then divorced her in prison, beat up the manager of one of his artists because he was getting on his nerves, and murders his cousin in-law and best friend because he was getting greedy.

* Fangirl: For Tay-O. She completely loses her shit when Luscious gives her Hakeem's backstage passes to his show. It was primarily to punish Hakeem for being unmotivated, but she hardly cared about the details.

* FangirlCrush: On Tay-O. She completely loses her shit when Luscious gives her Hakeem's backstage passes to his show. It was to punish Hakeem, but she hardly cared about the details.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Others]]
!Michael Sanchez
->Played by: Raphael de la Fuente

!Camilla Marks
->Played by: Naomi Campbell

-->'''Anouncer:''' Hungry for more Cookie? An all new ''Empire'' is coming up next!"

* {{Stripperiffic}}: Her taste in clothing is about as subtle as the rest of her.

The family at the center of the drama. In addition to the five immediate Lyons, also included are spouses and Cookie's relatives. Return to the character index [[Characters/{{Empire}} here]] and the main page [[Series/{{Empire}} here]].

[[Folder:Others]]

[[/Folder]]

* Characters/EmpireLyonFamily[[note]]Luscious Lyon, Cookie Lyon, Andre Lyon, Jamal Lyon, Hakeem Lyon, Rhonda Lyon, Bunky[[/note]]
* Characters/EmpireRecordsAssociates[[note]]Anika Calhoun, Vernon Toyer, Tiana Brown, Becky Williams[[/note]]
* Characters/EmpireOthers[[note]]Michael Sanchez, Camilla Marks, Porsha Taylor, Elle Dallas[[/note]]