Willard Carroll Smith Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, singer, screenwriter, and film producer. He is one of the few artists to achieve success in three different entertainment media: film, television, and music. Smith has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards.
Early Life
Will Smith was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Caroline (née Bright), a school administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr., a refrigeration engineer. He was raised in the Baptist faith and attended Overbrook High School. Smith’s parents separated when he was 13, and he began his career as a rapper under the name “The Fresh Prince” with his childhood friend DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Career
Smith gained fame as a rapper in the late 1980s and early 1990s, winning the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989. He transitioned to acting with the NBC television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996), which became a cultural phenomenon and established him as a household name.
Smith’s film career took off with roles in Bad Boys (1995) and Independence Day (1996). He continued to star in blockbuster films such as Men in Black (1997), Enemy of the State (1998), Ali (2001), I, Robot (2004), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), I Am Legend (2007), and Hancock (2008). His performance in King Richard (2021) earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor.
In addition to acting, Smith has produced several films and television shows through his production company, Overbrook Entertainment. He has also released multiple successful albums, including Big Willie Style (1997) and Willennium (1999).
Personal Life
Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997, and they have two children, Jaden and Willow, both of whom are also in the entertainment industry. Smith is known for his philanthropic efforts and has donated to various causes, including education and disaster relief.
Filmography
- Bad Boys (1995) as Mike Lowrey
- Independence Day (1996) as Captain Steven Hiller
- Men in Black (1997) as Agent J
- Ali (2001) as Muhammad Ali
- I, Robot (2004) as Del Spooner
- The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) as Chris Gardner
- I Am Legend (2007) as Robert Neville
- Hancock (2008) as John Hancock
- Men in Black 3 (2012) as Agent J
- Suicide Squad (2016) as Deadshot
- Aladdin (2019) as Genie
- King Richard (2021) as Richard Williams
Awards and Nominations
Smith has received numerous awards and nominations throughout his career
