Will Smith is an American actor and rapper who started his career starring in NBC sitcom, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” as a ‘fictionalized version of himself’. As a musician and rapper, he was part of a hip hop group who worked with DJ Jazzy Jeff to release five studio albums including other singles.
He also starred in several films, and got much recognition when he featured in ‘Bad Boys’ in 1995 as the lead actor. His music and acting career has earned him several won including the Grammys.
Will Smith Biography
Early Life & Education
The award winning actor was born Willard Carrol Smith II on September 25, 1968, in Philadephia, USA. His parents are Caroline (mother), a school board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr. (father), a US Air Force veteran and refrigeration engineer. He has an elder sister and younger twins’ siblings; Pamela, Harry and Ellen.
ALSO: Kanye West Biography
Smith grew up in Wynnefield, West Philadelphia, where he was raised as a Baptist. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes and Overbrook High School in Philadelphia. At the age of 13 around 2000, smith’s parent’s divorced.
His rapping talent sprang up at the age of 12 where he started writing his own lyrics.
Music Career
Smith started with a hip-hop duo which consisted of DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Townes) and the Fresh Prince (himself) as an MC. In 1985, Townes and Smith met by chance during a performance at a house party in Smith neighborhood. Later, the two decided to work together including a beatboxer Clarence Holmes.
They released their first single ‘Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble’ in 1986. Before Smith could graduate from high school, the song was already making waves. The trio went ahead to release a debut album, ‘Rock the House’ on April 7, 1987. And dropped a couples of singles which won them some Grammy awards including Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989.
A second album was released by Will Smith in November 16, 1999, he named it ‘Willennium’. It peaked at the number five spot on billboard Hot 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA. He did the soundtrack for ‘Men in Black’ film.
He dropped a third album ‘Born to Reign’ in 2002 which was a success too. The album’s lead single ”Black Suits Comin’ Nod Ya Head” was the soundtrack for ‘Men in Black II’ and released his first compilation album ‘Greatest Hits’ with songs from his three solo albums.
In 2005, he released another album ‘Lost and Found’ which peaked at number six on Billboard 200.
Acting Career
NBC television network signed Smith and created a sitcom, ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ around him in 1990. Smith started his acting career from there, his zeal and performed earned him his first major roles in ‘Six Degrees of Separation’ drama in 1993. He progressed and starred in the action fil ‘Bad Boys’ alongside Martin Lawrence in 1995.
He also starred in several movies including ‘Independence Day’ in 1996, and ‘Men in Black’ in 1997. Smith turned turn an opportunity to play the role of ‘Neo’ in ‘The Matrix’ film in order to focus of ‘Wild Wild West’.
Smith played the role of former heavyweight boxer Muhammed Ali in the 2001 biopic ‘Ali’ film. In 2003, he continued his role ‘ Bad Boys II’ and starred in ‘Robot’ and animated film ‘Shark Tale’.
He has featured in and co-produced several movies from 2003 to present day with some of the movies not yet released. Smith has also started a couple of movies with his son, Jaden Smith.
Personal Life
Relationships, Marriages and Family
Will Smith and wife, Sheree Zampino married in 1992 but divorced 1995. They had a son together, Willard Carroll “Trey” Smith III.
In 1997, Smith married actress Jade Koren Pinkett, they have co-produced serval films together. Their marriage birthed two children; children: children: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith and Willow Camille Reign Smith.
Business
The award winning actor and rapper in partnership with his brother own Treyball Development Inc. The company was named after Trey Smith.
Controversy, resignation and ban
At the 2020 annual Academy Awards ceremony, Smith climbed up the stage to slap and shout at comedian Chris Rock after making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Later, smith rendered an apologized and resigned from the Academy. Also, he was banned from involving and attending any Academy functions, including the Oscars, for ten years.
Music Albums
- Big Willie Style (1997)
- Willennium (1999)
- Born to Reign (2002)
- Lost and Found (2005)
Movies (featured and produced)
- Where the Day Takes You
- Made in America
- Six Degrees of Separation
- Bad Boys
- Independence Day
- Men in Black
- Enemy of the State
- Wild Wild West
- The Legend of Bagger Vance
- Ali
- Showtime
- Men in Black II
- Bad Boys II
- Ride or Die
- Jersey Girl
- I, Robot
- The Seat Filler
- Saving Face
- Shark Tale
- Hitch
- ATL
- The Pursuit of Happyness
- I Am Legend
- Hancock
- The Human Contract
- The Secret Life of Bees
- Lakeview Terrace
- Seven Pounds
- The Karate Kid
- This Means War
- Men in Black 3
- After Earth
- Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
- Winter’s Tale
- Focus
- Concussion
- Suicide Squad
- Collateral Beauty
- Bright
- Student of the Year 2
- Aladdin
- Dads
- Gemini Man
- Spies in Disguise
- Bad Boys for Life
- Life in a Year
- King Richard
- 2022 Emancipation Films that have not yet been released.
