Will Smith

About

Will Smith, born Willard Carroll Smith Jr. on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is a renowned American actor, rapper, and film producer. He gained fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince in the late 1980s, then transitioned to acting with the popular TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which aired from 1990 to 1996. Smith later catapulted to Hollywood fame with a series of box office hits like "Bad Boys," "Men in Black," "Independence Day," and "The Pursuit of Happyness," demonstrating his range across genres. Named by Newsweek as "the most powerful actor in Hollywood" in 2007, Smith is a multi-time Academy Award nominee and has won four Grammy Awards. He is recognized for his charisma, versatility, and undeniable talent.

Associated With

Will Smith, a renowned actor and music artist, boasts numerous notable associations within the entertainment industry. His acting career involves collaborations with celebrated directors and producers such as Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg. He has starred alongside many talented artists like Tommy Lee Jones in "Men in Black", Martin Lawrence in "Bad Boys", and Margot Robbie in "Focus." Smith's personal relationships further intertwine him with the industry. He has been married to actress Jada Pinkett Smith since 1997 and their children, Jaden and Willow Smith, have also established their careers in acting and music. On the production side, Smith co-owns the company Overbrook Entertainment and has produced various films and television shows, further extending his professional network.

Career Highlights

• - 1985: Will Smith began his career as a rapper under the name "The Fresh Prince" alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff.
• - 1988: They won their first Grammy award for Best Rap Performance for the single "Parents Just Don't Understand."
• - 1990: Smith made his breakthrough into television with "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which ran for six seasons until 1996.
• - 1993: Smith transitioned into films and starred in his first movie, "Six Degrees of Separation."
• - 1996: Smith starred in "Independence Day," which became the second highest grossing movie in history at the time.
• - 1997: He played Agent J in "Men In Black," a role he reprised for two sequels in 2002 and 2012.
• - 2001: Smith was nominated for his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Ali," where he portrayed Muhammad Ali.
• - 2004: Smith was nominated for another Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in "The Pursuit of Happyness."
• - 2007: He starred in "I Am Legend," which became his highest grossing movie to date, making over $500 million.
• - 2015: He starred in "Concussion," where his portrayal of Dr.Bennet Omalu was critically lauded.
• - 2016: Smith received a Golden Globe nomination for "Concussion" and won the MTV Movie Awards' "Generation Award" for his contribution to entertainment.
• - 2020: Smith released his first memoir, "Will," which was a New York Times Best Seller.

Notable Awards

• Will Smith is a highly accomplished actor and has won numerous awards. Here are some of his most notable ones:
• Grammy Awards: Will Smith won his first Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Rap Performance, along with DJ Jazzy Jeff for the song "Parents Just Don't Understand". He also won the same award in 1992 for the song "Summertime", and again in 1999 for "Men in Black".
• NAACP Image Awards: Smith has won several of these awards, including Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for "Ali" in 2002 and "The Pursuit of Happyness" in 2007.
• Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards: These awards are voted on by children and Will Smith has been a favorite multiple times. He's won the Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actor on four different occasions.
• MTV Movie & TV Awards: Will Smith has been honored at these awards several times, including for Best Male Performance in "Ali", and Best Kiss for "Hitch".
• Golden Globe Awards: He won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role in "Ali" and "The Pursuit of Happyness".
• It's important to mention that Smith was also nominated for the Academy Awards (Oscars) twice, for his roles in "Ali" and "The Pursuit of Happyness", though he did not win.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Will Smith Movie/TV Show?

Will Smith has been in numerous successful movies and TV shows, but it can be argued that his most popular role was in the TV show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". This show, which aired from 1990-1996, featured Smith as a street-smart teenager from Philadelphia who moves to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air. It garnered wide acclaim, continues to have a large and engaged fanbase, and played a significant role in establishing Smith as a famous actor. Moreover, Smith's performance was praised and it significantly boosted his career, leading him to star in blockbuster movies.

How Did Will Smith Get Famous?

Will Smith gained fame primarily through his acting and music career. He started his fame journey in the late 1980s as part of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, earning critical acclaim and commercial success including the first ever Grammy awarded in the Rap category. His major breakthrough came in 1990 with the lead role in the popular television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", which catapulted him to national stardom. Smith then transitioned to blockbuster movies in the mid to late 90s, starring in box office hits like "Independence Day", "Men in Black", and "Bad Boys", establishing him as a prominent and beloved figure in Hollywood.