Who is Will Smith? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Nick Name: The Fresh Prince

Also Known As: Willard Carroll Smith II

Age: 56 Years, 56 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jada Pinkett Smith (m. 1997), Sheree Zampino (m. 1992–1995)

father: Willard Christopher Smith Sr.

mother: Caroline Bright

siblings: Ellen Smith, Harry Smith, Pam Smith

children: Jaden Smith, Trey Smith, Willow Smith

Born Country: United States

Actors American Men

Height: 6'2" (188 cm), 6'2" Males

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

Personality: ENFP

City: Philadelphia

Founder/Co-Founder: Treyball Development Inc., Overbrook Entertainment, New Village Leadership Academy

Humanitarian Work: Established the 'New Village Leadership Academy' elementary school

Recommended For You

1

What is Will Smith's most popular movie?

One of Will Smith's most popular movies is "Men in Black."
2

Has Will Smith won any Oscars?

No, Will Smith has not won an Oscar.
3

Is Will Smith a musician?

Yes, Will Smith is also known for his music career as a rapper.
4

Does Will Smith have any upcoming projects?

Yes, Will Smith has several upcoming projects in the works, including a sequel to "Bright" and "Bad Boys for Life."
5

What is Will Smith's fitness routine?

Will Smith often shares his fitness journey on social media, including his intense workouts and healthy lifestyle choices.

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Childhood & Early Life

Willard Christopher Smith, Jr. was born on September 25, 1968, to Willard C. Smith, Sr., the proprietor of a refrigeration company, and Caroline, a member of the 'School Board of Philadelphia', in Pennsylvania.

He was brought up in the neighbourhood of Wynnefield, along with younger siblings Harry and Ellen, as well as an older sister Pamela.

The young child had a Baptist upbringing at home, but received his elementary education from a Catholic institution named 'Our Lady of Lourdes'. After his parents parted ways, he was educated at the 'Overbrook High School' in Philadelphia.

On completing high school, Will decided to pursue music as a career, instead of attending college.

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Career

Smith met record producer and musician, Jeffrey Townes, popularly called DJ Jazzy Jeff, at a party, and the two music lovers instantly hit it off. The aspiring rapper called himself "The Fresh Prince", and formed a group with DJ Jeff, and another friend, beat boxer, Ready Rock C.

'DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince' became quite popular after producing light-hearted songs 'Summertime' and 'Parents Just Don't Understand'.

During 1988-89, the popular singer fell into trouble with the 'Internal Revenue Service', after paying less than the stipulated tax. As a result of $2.8 million of unpaid taxes, his possessions were confiscated, and Will almost went bankrupt.

When the singer was struggling to recover from the financial crisis, he was hired for a sitcom titled 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', in 1990, by the NBC broadcasting network. With the success of the TV program, which was about himself, Smith gained recognition as an actor.

In 1993, Will made his debut in feature films with the movie Six Degrees of Separation', co-starring Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland. With the success of the movie, he was cast in 'Bad Boys', two years later, an action movie that also featured Martin Lawrence.

By this time, the exceptional actor had already gained immense popularity in Hollywood cinema. In 1996, he played a major role in the movie 'Independence Day', directed by German filmmaker, Roland Emmerich. The movie also starred Bill Pullman, and Jeff Goldblum, amongst others, becoming a huge box-office success.

Next year, in 1997, Smith was chosen by film director Barry Sonnenfeld, to become a part of the cult movie series of 'Men in Black'. The actor was cast opposite celebrated actor Tommy Lee Jones, and he essayed the legendary role of 'Agent J'. The following year, he worked in the hit movie 'Enemy of the State', alongside veteran Gene Hackman.

From 1999-2001, the gifted actor starred in movies like 'Wild Wild West', 'The Legend of Bagger Vance', and 'Ali'. ‘Ali’ was a movie adapted from boxer Muhammad Ali's life and career and it earned Will an 'Academy Award' nomination for 'Best Actor'.

During the next few years, he acted in movies like 'I, Robot', 'Shark Tale', 'Hitch' and 'Pursuit of Happyness'. The actor won another 'Oscar' nomination for his heart-rending performance in 'Pursuit of Happyness'

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The movies that the accomplished actor has featured in, during the last few years, from 2007-2014, are 'I Am Legend', 'Hancock', 'Seven Pounds', 'After Earth', and 'Winter's Tale'. All of these movies have seen considerable commercial and critical success.

In 2015, Will Smith starred in a movie called 'Focus', where he played the male lead opposite Australian actress Margot Robbie. The same year he starred in 'Concussion', co-starring Alec Baldwin, the film earned positive reviews.

Some of his other noteworthy works also inlcude 'Bad Boys For Life,' 'Aladdin,' 'Suicide Squad,' and 'King Richard.'

Major Works

This star is known for the ‘Men in Black’ franchise of movies. The science fiction movie features Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith as two agents of an organization who manage alien activity on earth.

The sensational actor is also known for his overwhelming performance in the ‘Pursuit of Happyness’. The movie was nominated for several honours, and has won the prestigious ‘Capri Award’ in ‘Movie of the Year’ category.

Altercation with comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars 2022

During the 2022 Oscar presentation, the presenter, Chris Rock, made a joke about Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith's, hair loss, which infuriated the King Richard star and he went to the stage and punched the comedian.Smith later took to social media to apologise for the incident. He posted a statement on Instagram saying that his behavior was "unacceptable and inexcusable" and "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive."

Awards & Achievements

In 1988, 'DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince' were recipients of the 'Grammy Award' for their initial rap songs.

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During the late 1990s, Smith was felicitated with the ‘Blockbuster Entertainment Award’ in the ‘Favorite Actor’ category, for 'Independence Day', 'Men in Black' and 'Enemy of the State'

From 2005-2008, he won the 'Teen Choice Awards' for hits like 'Hitch', 'The Pursuit of Happyness', and 'I Am Legend'.

In 2008-2009, the peerless actor was presented the 'BET Award' for his roles in 'Hancock' and 'Seven Pounds'. During this time he also won the 'Saturn Award' for his performance in 'I Am Legend'.

In 2022, he earned the 'Academy Award,' 'Screen Actors Guild Award,' 'Golden Globe Award,' 'Critics' Choice Movie Award,' and British Academy Film Award' for Best Actor for his portrayal Richard Williams in 'King Richard.'

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1992, Will Smith got married to Sheree Elizabeth Zampino, an actress. The couple had a son, nicknamed 'Trey', but the two separated three years after marriage.

The popular actor got married in 1997, to colleague Jada Koren Pinkett, who is best known for the 'Matrix' movie franchise. The two actors have a son, Jaden Christopher Syre and a daughter, Willow Camille Reign.

Jaden has appeared in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, ‘The Karate Kid’, and more recently, ‘After Earth’, while Willow is known for her role in the movie, ‘I Am Legend’.

In 2005, Will Smith actor made it to the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’, for having gone to three movie premieres in one day.

Will claims that though he has had exposure to tenets of Catholicism and Baptism, he does not follow any religion in particular. Though he finds ‘Scientology’ fascinating, which is a spiritual rehabilitation through counselling, the actor is not a member of its organization.

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The brilliant actor is known for his philanthropic contributions, where he has donated large sums of money to Christian ministries, schools and churches, a mosque in Los Angeles, and Scientology organisations.

He has also established an elementary school, 'New Village Leadership Academy', in California, along with his wife, Jada, donating 1.2 million dollars to the educational institution.

According to 'Fortune Magazine', Smith has been one of the wealthiest young Americans. In 2008, presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama, Smith donated $4,600. He and his wife also organized the 'Nobel Peace Prize Concert', which was held in 2009, in Oslo as a toast to the prize being awarded to Obama.

Facts About Will Smith

Will Smith is a licensed scuba diver and has explored underwater caves in locations like Australia and the Bahamas.

He is a big fan of chess and has played the game since he was a child, often challenging friends and family to matches.

Will Smith is known for his love of skydiving and has completed multiple jumps, including one to celebrate his 50th birthday.

In addition to his acting career, he is also a talented musician and has released several successful rap albums under the name "The Fresh Prince."

Will Smith is a philanthropist who has donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes, including organizations that support education and environmental conservation.

2008	Best Male Performance	I Am Legend (2007)
2002	Best Male Performance	Ali (2001)
1998	Best Fight	Men in Black (1997)
1998	Best Movie Song	Men in Black (1997)
1997	Best Kiss	Independence Day (1996)

2020	Favorite Male Movie Star	Bad Boys for Life (2020)
2009	Favorite Male Movie Star	Winner
2009	Favorite Male Action Star	Winner
2005	Favorite Male Action Movie Star	Winner

1999	Best Rap Solo Performance	Winner
1998	Best Rap Solo Performance	Men in Black (1997)
1992	Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group	Winner
1988	Best Rap Performance	Winner

2000	Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures	Wild Wild West (1999)
1998	Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures	Men in Black (1997)
1994	Top TV Series	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)

1999	Best Male Video	Will Smith: Miami (1998)
1998	Best Male Video	Will Smith: Just the Two of Us (1998)
1998	Best Rap Video	Will Smith: Gettin' Jiggy Wit It (1997)
1997	Best Video from a Film	Will Smith: Men in Black (1997)
1997	Best Video from a Film	Men in Black (1997)

Will Smith Biography

You wanted to know

What is Will Smith's most popular movie?

Has Will Smith won any Oscars?

Is Will Smith a musician?

Does Will Smith have any upcoming projects?

What is Will Smith's fitness routine?