Will Smith

Will Smith
Will Smith
Born	September 25, 1968 (age 58); Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Actor, rapper, film producer
Years active	1985–present
Known for	Acting in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bad Boys series, Men in Black franchise; music career as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and solo artist

Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American entertainer, known for his work as an actor, rapper, and film producer. He has achieved recognition across both the cinematic and musical arenas, earning prestigious honors such as an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. With his films accumulating over $10 billion globally, Smith ranks among Hollywood's most commercially successful talents.

Smith initially rose to fame as one half of the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff. Between 1985 and 1994, they released five studio albums, producing five singles that reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His solo discography includes Big Willie Style (1997), Willennium (1999), Born to Reign (2002), and Lost and Found (2005), which featured U.S. chart-toppers like "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and "Wild Wild West". Throughout his music career, he has been honored with four Grammy Awards.

Smith’s acting career began with his portrayal of a fictionalized version of himself in the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), earning Golden Globe nominations in both 1993 and 1994. He achieved broader acclaim as a lead actor in the Bad Boys series (1995–2024) and the Men in Black franchise (1997–2012). His notable film appearances include Independence Day (1996), Enemy of the State (1998), as well as Academy Award-nominated portrayals of Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001) and Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). Additional commercially successful projects include I, Robot, Shark Tale, Hitch, I Am Legend, Hancock, Seven Pounds, Suicide Squad, and Aladdin.

In 2021, Smith earned the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard. During the 2022 Oscars ceremony, shortly before receiving this honor, he attracted widespread attention after striking presenter Chris Rock following an unscripted joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. This event sparked extensive media coverage and criticism, resulting in Smith’s resignation from the Academy and a subsequent ten-year ban from its events.

Early life

Willard Carroll Smith II was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia. His parents were Caroline (née Bright), who worked as a school board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr., a U.S. Air Force veteran and refrigeration technician. His mother was an alumna of Carnegie Mellon University.

Raised in the Wynnefield neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Smith was brought up in the Baptist faith. He has three siblings: an older sister named Pamela and younger twin siblings Harry and Ellen. His education included attendance at Our Lady of Lourdes, a private Catholic elementary school, followed by Overbrook High School. His parents separated when he was 13 years old and finalized their divorce around the year 2000.

Smith began rapping at age twelve. After his grandmother discovered his notebook filled with lyrics containing profanity, she encouraged him to communicate without using offensive language—an influence that shaped his choice to keep his music free from profanity.

1985–1992: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

Smith launched his career as the rapper in the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, collaborating with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes, who handled turntables and production. Their partnership began in 1985 when Smith stepped in as Townes' hype man during a house party, igniting a dynamic creative connection. Shortly thereafter, they expanded into a trio by including beatboxer Ready Rock C. Their initial single was released in 1986 through Philadelphia's Word Records, following an introduction by A&R Paul Oakenfold to Champion Records. The debut track, Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble, featured narrative rap lyrics devoid of profanity and gained popularity just before Smith completed high school.

The duo attracted interest from Jive Records and Russell Simmons, leading to their first album, Rock the House, released on Jive in 1987. They earned the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for their 1988 hit Parents Just Don't Understand. Their biggest commercial success came with the 1991 single Summertime, which secured a second Grammy and climbed to number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Smith and Townes have maintained their partnership, continuing to collaborate musically even as Smith pursued solo projects.

Between 1988 and 1989, Smith experienced financial difficulties due to overspending and insufficient tax payments, resulting in a $2.8 million debt to the IRS that led to asset seizures and wage garnishment. In response to these challenges around 1990, Smith signed with NBC, which developed the hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air centered on him, marking his entry into acting. He aimed to become "the biggest movie star in the world," studying box office trends to strategically shape his career decisions. In 1989, Smith faced arrest related to an alleged assault on his record promoter; however, the charges were eventually dropped.

1993–1997: Solo music and film breakthrough

Smith's early significant film roles included the drama Six Degrees of Separation (1993) and the action movie Bad Boys (1995), where he starred alongside Martin Lawrence. Although critical responses were mixed, Bad Boys achieved commercial success, grossing $141.4 million globally. In 1996, Smith appeared in Roland Emmerich's blockbuster Independence Day, which became the second highest-grossing film at that time, firmly establishing him as a prominent box office star.

In mid-1997, Smith took on the role of Agent J opposite Tommy Lee Jones in the popular film Men in Black. Distributed by Columbia Pictures, it earned over $589.3 million worldwide on a $90 million budget, ranking as the third top-grossing film of that year with more than 54 million tickets sold in the U.S. The movie was well-received critically, particularly praised for its humor and performances.

Concurrently, Smith embarked on his solo music career by releasing "Men in Black," the theme song for the movie, which topped charts internationally including in the UK. This track, along with "Just Cruisin'," appeared on his debut solo album Big Willie Style. The album reached the top ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart and was certified nine times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its third single, Gettin' Jiggy wit It, became Smith’s first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1998.

1998–2007: Establishing Leading Actor Prominence

In 1998, Smith co-starred alongside Gene Hackman in the thriller Enemy of the State. The subsequent year, he turned down the opportunity to play Neo in The Matrix, opting instead to lead in Wild Wild West (1999). Although the movie was critically panned, Smith expressed no remorse, recognizing Keanu Reeves's exceptional portrayal of Neo, but later conceded that choosing Wild Wild West was a misstep.

Smith’s sophomore album, Willennium, included the hit single "Wild Wild West", which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a gold certification. The album itself climbed to number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum. Its follow-up single, "Will 2K", attained a peak position of 25 on the Hot 100 chart. Additionally, a video compilation featuring seven of Smith’s music videos secured the 25th spot on the UK Music Video Chart. That same year, he appeared on Tatyana Ali's track "Boy You Knock Me Out", which achieved number three on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK R&B Singles Chart.

In 2001, Smith took on the role of heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in the biographical film Ali, earning nominations for both the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Actor. After pausing his music career for four years, he released his third studio album, Born to Reign (2002), which peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and received gold certification. The lead single, "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)", served as the theme song for Men in Black II and reached number three on the UK Singles Chart. Later that year, Smith issued his first compilation album, Greatest Hits, featuring selections from his solo work as well as collaborations with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Smith returned to the big screen in 2003 with Bad Boys II, which earned $270 million globally despite mixed critical reception. In 2004, he starred in both I, Robot and lent his voice to the animated feature Shark Tale, both achieving commercial success. His 2005 album Lost and Found reached number six on the Billboard 200; its lead single "Switch" entered the top ten charts in both the United States and United Kingdom. That year also saw Smith enter the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three separate premieres within a single 24-hour period.

In 2006, Smith co-starred with his son Jaden in the biographical drama The Pursuit of Happyness, portraying Chris Gardner; both the film and Smith’s performance were met with critical praise.

On December 10, 2007, Smith received recognition at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, immortalizing his handprints and footprints outside the venue. Later that month, he headlined I Am Legend, which garnered favorable reviews and set a record for the largest December opening at the US box office. This commercial triumph further cemented Smith’s position as a premier Hollywood box office star. On December 1, 2008, he was named one of America's top ten most captivating personalities by Barbara Walters during an ABC special broadcast that month.

2008–2022: Career Variability and King Richard

In 2008, Smith created and starred in the film The Last Pharaoh, portraying Taharqa. Subsequently, he appeared in the superhero movie Hancock, which earned $227.9 million domestically and $624.4 million globally. Between 2008 and early 2009, Smith opted out of the lead role in Inception because he did not fully grasp the plot. On August 19, 2011, he revealed plans to return to music, collaborating with producer La Mar Edwards on his fifth studio album.

Smith returned as Agent J in Men in Black 3 (2012), marking his first major leading role in four years. The film generated over $624 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing installment in the franchise without adjusting for inflation. After its release, Smith expressed satisfaction with concluding the series. In 2013, he starred alongside his son Jaden in After Earth, which failed to meet expectations both critically and commercially, prompting Smith to take an 18-month break.

He co-starred with Margot Robbie in the romantic drama Focus (2015). Initially attached to star in the sci-fi thriller Brilliance, Smith left that project to join Ridley Scott’s sports drama Concussion. In this film, he portrayed Dr. Bennet Omalu, who identified chronic traumatic encephalopathy; his nuanced and sensitive performance received acclaim.

In 2016, Smith took on the role of Deadshot in Suicide Squad, which achieved commercial success despite negative reviews. He declined a part in Independence Day: Resurgence that same year. Additionally, he appeared in the drama Collateral Beauty, centered on themes of grief; it recorded the lowest opening of his career and faced widespread criticism. This period coincided with his father’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent passing, profoundly impacting him.

Smith starred in Netflix’s urban fantasy Bright (2017), noted as their most expensive production at that time and directed by David Ayer. Despite its prominence, the film was poorly received by critics. Also in 2017, he collaborated with Jazzy Jeff on the song "Get Lit" and launched a YouTube channel that attracted over 6 million subscribers by mid-2019. He performed "Live It Up," the official song for the 2018 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony, and featured on Marc Anthony’s track "Está Rico" alongside Bad Bunny.

In Disney’s live-action adaptation of Aladdin (2019), Smith played the Genie and contributed to the soundtrack. The movie surpassed $1 billion worldwide at the box office, becoming Smith’s highest-grossing film to date. That year, he also appeared on rapper Logic’s song "Don't Be Afraid To Be Different."

Smith starred as an assassin confronting a younger clone of himself in Ang Lee’s Gemini Man (2019); however, the film underperformed financially and was met with unfavorable reviews. Later that year, he voiced Lance Sterling in the animated feature Spies in Disguise, sharing credits with Tom Holland. In 2020, Smith reunited with Martin Lawrence for Bad Boys for Life. In addition to acting, he co-led a $46 million investment round for esports organization Gen.G.

In June 2020, Smith committed to star in Antoine Fuqua’s Emancipation, portraying an escaped slave enduring treacherous conditions en route to freedom.

Smith’s memoir Will, co-authored with Mark Manson, was released on November 9, 2021, supported by a promotional tour. The book explores personal hardships, his relationship with his father, and experiences with ayahuasca. That year, Westbrook Studios secured a first-look agreement with National Geographic.

His portrayal of Richard Williams, father and coach to Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard (2021) garnered critical praise. This role earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

On February 7, 2022, National Geographic announced Smith would lead the Disney+ documentary series Pole to Pole, chronicling a journey from the South Pole to North Pole across various ecosystems and cultures. Filming included an expedition into the Ecuadorian Amazon that contributed to identifying a new northern green anaconda species.

2022 Oscars controversy

At the 94th Academy Awards held on March 27, 2022, Will Smith unexpectedly approached the stage and struck presenter Chris Rock following a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, referencing her shaved head in relation to the film G.I. Jane. Smith then exclaimed, "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!" Pinkett Smith had publicly revealed her battle with alopecia areata in 2018, which led her to shave her head. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) requested that Smith leave the event, but he declined. Later that evening, Smith received the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard and issued an apology to the Academy and fellow nominees, though he did not extend one to Rock.

The audience responded with two standing ovations for Smith during the live broadcast. In response to widespread criticism, Smith published a formal apology on Instagram. ABC, AMPAS, and the Screen Actors Guild publicly condemned his actions, leading AMPAS's Board of Governors to initiate an inquiry. Chris Rock chose not to pursue legal action. On April 1, 2022, Smith resigned from the Academy, recognizing that his behavior had overshadowed others' achievements and accepting any subsequent penalties. AMPAS President David Rubin accepted the resignation but maintained the ongoing investigation. Following this, Smith lost his voting privileges for Oscar nominations.

Industry analysts predicted significant harm to Smith's "family brand" as a result of the incident. On April 8, 2022, AMPAS imposed a decade-long ban on Smith from attending Oscar ceremonies and related events. Consequently, several of his upcoming film projects were delayed or suspended. Smith publicly acknowledged and respected this ruling. In July 2022, he delivered an on-camera apology expressing profound regret over the episode.

Netflix discontinued production of Fast and Loose, an action movie featuring Smith in a leading role. When Emancipation was released in December 2022, it received mixed critical responses and underperformed commercially; producer Todd Black partially attributed this outcome to the controversy surrounding Smith after the Oscars incident.

2023–present: Action roles and musical comeback

In 2023, it was announced that Smith would co-star in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise, which includes a comedic nod to the Oscars event. He is also slated to reunite with Michael B. Jordan in a sequel to I Am Legend currently in active development. Furthermore, Smith is attached as lead actor in two science fiction projects titled Brilliance and Resistor. In September 2024, he withdrew from starring in the crime thriller Sugar Bandits due to scheduling conflicts but continues involvement as a producer. In 2025, through his production company Westbrook, Smith secured a first-look agreement with Paramount Pictures.

According to a September 2023 report by Vibe, Smith plans to collaborate with rapper Joyner Lucas on a joint album. On May 19, 2024, he confirmed plans to release new music that is deeply personal within that year; singer Teddy Swims also confirmed participation in this project.

On June 27, 2024, Smith unveiled his first solo single in nearly two decades titled "You Can Make It," released that evening featuring artists Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. On July 24, he entered into a distribution partnership with independent label SLANG. Shortly thereafter on July 26, he released "Work of Art," featuring contributions from his son Jaden Smith and rapper Russ. Later in the year on December 12, he released "TANTRUM" alongside Joyner Lucas.

Smith announced his fifth studio album Based on a True Story for release in 2025; it debuted on March 28 containing fourteen tracks comprised of five previously released singles alongside nine new songs. Prior to this album launch, on March 23 he performed at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final held at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Relationships and family

During the late 1980s, Smith had a brief romantic involvement with Sandra Denton, famously known as Pepa from the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa.

In 1992, Smith wed Sheree Zampino, and that same year their son, Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III, was born. The couple ended their marriage in 1995. Trey featured in his father's music video for "Just the Two of Us" and appeared in episodes of All of Us, as well as making appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the David Blaine: Real or Magic special.

Smith entered into matrimony with actress Jada Koren Pinkett on December 31, 1997. Their initial meeting occurred when Pinkett auditioned for a role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Together, they co-produce films through their companies Overbrook Entertainment and Westbrook Inc.. Their children include actor Jaden Smith (born 1998), who co-starred in The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth, and Willow Smith (born 2000), who portrayed his daughter in I Am Legend.

The couple has characterized their marriage as nontraditional, openly acknowledging extramarital relationships and advocating for autonomy within their union. Smith has discussed contemplating polyamory but decided against it following therapy. In October 2023, Pinkett Smith disclosed that they have lived separately since 2016 but have no plans to divorce.

To celebrate his 50th birthday in 2018, Smith undertook a bungee jump from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon. The stunt was insured for $200 million by Lloyd's of London and served as a fundraiser for the charity Global Citizen.

Religious and political views

Smith was brought up in a Baptist environment, attending both a Baptist church and a Catholic school. In a 2013 interview, he stated that he did not consider himself religious. Nevertheless, in 2015 he attributed his Christian upbringing—imparted by his grandmother—as instrumental in his portrayal of Bennet Omalu in Concussion. By 2018, Smith had explored Hindu spirituality, participating in rituals such as the abhisheka of Shiva at Haridwar, India, and expressed an affinity for Indian astrology. He also spent time engaging with Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru, valuing their discussions.

Politically, Smith contributed $4,600 to Democrat Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. Alongside his wife, he hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in 2009 honoring Obama's award. In 2012, Smith publicly supported the legalization of same-sex marriage. In 2021, he and director Antoine Fuqua withdrew their film Emancipation from production in Georgia to protest the state's Election Integrity Act of 2021, citing concerns about voting restrictions disproportionately affecting non-white populations.

Public image and legacy

Smith has been acknowledged for his pioneering achievements across music and film. Forbes described him as the "biggest movie star of the post-9/11 era." His successful shift from music to acting paved the way for many rappers to transition into cinema; Complex recognized him as a trailblazer in this regard. In 2006, Time included him among the world's 100 most influential individuals; two years later, Esquire named him one of the 75 most influential figures of the 21st century. His performances in Men in Black 3, King Richard, and Bright rank among the highest-paid roles in film history, with reports indicating a $100 million paycheck for Men in Black 3. The Netflix release Bright (2017) set a record for viewership during its opening week. His 2022 film Emancipation was acquired by Apple Studios for $120 million, marking the largest deal ever made at a film festival.

As part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Smith's group became the first rap act to win both a Grammy and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video with "Parents Just Don't Understand." The magazine XXL referred to him as "one of the most significant rappers ever." His debut solo album, Big Willie Style (1997), remains among rap’s best-selling records. Smith launched his acting career starring in NBC’s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which stands as a milestone for Hip-Hop culture and Black television; it is frequently cited as one of television’s finest sitcoms. Academics note that this show helped translate his comedic talent into box office success while reshaping portrayals of Black identity.

In 2022, Smith achieved distinction as the fifth Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. However, his public reputation suffered considerably after an incident involving slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards. This event ignited widespread debate regarding his legacy and future career opportunities. Media outlets such as The Guardian, The Ringer, and IndieWire report that this moment has negatively affected his standing within entertainment circles. BBC’s Ian Young described Smith’s transformation from beloved celebrity to Hollywood outcast following this episode, which also became a viral meme. Industry experts warn that this controversy inflicted enduring damage on both his family brand and overall legacy. Greg Braxton from The Los Angeles Times observed that Smith’s previously heroic image and carefully cultivated public persona were deeply compromised, turning what should have been a night of triumph into one remembered as “infamous.” The New York Times also underscored potential harm to his family reputation stemming from this controversy.

Acting credits and honors

Throughout his career, Smith has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards. Notably, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father and mentor to Venus and Serena Williams, in the 2021 biographical film King Richard. This performance also garnered him the Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. Additionally, he earned a producer nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture for the same film. Earlier in his career, Smith received two Academy Award nominations for his roles in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, five Golden Globe nominations including for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Concussion, as well as a Screen Actors Guild nomination for The Pursuit of Happyness. In 2005, he was honored with an honorary César Award and nominated for a Tony Award as producer of the musical Fela!. More recently, in 2021, he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy as a producer on the series Cobra Kai.

Beyond his acting achievements, Smith explored a career in hip hop music, releasing several albums and earning four Grammy Awards—two alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Best Rap Performance for "Parents Just Don't Understand" and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Summertime") and two as a solo artist (Best Rap Solo Performance for "Men in Black" and "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"). His recognition across the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards distinguishes him as one of the few African-American entertainers to be acknowledged by all four major American entertainment accolades.

On March 26, 2025, a section of 59th Street in west Philadelphia was renamed "Will Smith Way" to honor his legacy as the original Fresh Prince and celebrate his Philadelphia roots.

Discography

Big Willie Style (1997)
Willennium (1999)
Born to Reign (2002)
Lost and Found (2005)
Based on a True Story (2025)

External links

Will Smith on TikTok
Will Smith on Instagram