John Legend, Kerry Washington, more stars react to reported brutal attack on 'Empire' actor Jussie Smollett

Friends and colleagues of Jussie Smollett are reacting with dismay and sadness as the actor recovers from an assault early Tuesday morning in Chicago.

Smollett was allegedly confronted by two people who "yelling out racial and homophobic slurs," police confirmed.

The assailants "poured an unknown chemical substance on the victim" and also put a rope around his neck.

News of the incident quickly spread on social media, where a number of famous faces, including John Legend, Kerry Washington and Zendaya, expressed their support for Smollett.

"DEAR GOD!" Washington tweeted. "Prayers and justice for Jussie Smollett."

See more celebrity reactions in the gallery below.

Smollett, who has starred on FOX's "Empire" since 2015, was in "good condition" at Northwestern Hospital by midday Tuesday.

Smollett both in real life and on "Empire" identifies as gay.

"Given the severity of the allegations, we are taking this investigation very seriously and treating it as a possible hate crime," police said in a statement.