Jussie Smollett's elimination from Special Forces due to a medical emergency left everyone shocked - including him. Us Weekly caught up with Jussie, 43, on Monday, October 13, shortly after the newest episode of the Fox series revealed he developed a cough that caused him to be eliminated from the show out of concern for his health. Jussie told Us that he had mixed feelings about having his experience cut short. Take me through your mindset before you left. Did you think you would make it to the end before the health scare? I really wanted to and I had planned on it.