Will Smith: Difference between revisions
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| occupation = Actor, rapper, film producer, record producer, television producer |
| occupation = Actor, rapper, film producer, record producer, television producer |
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| years_active = 1985–present |
| years_active = 1985–present |
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| spouse = {{marriage|Sheree Zampino|1992|1995}}<br />{{marriage|[[Jada Pinkett Smith]]|1997||}} |
| spouse = {{marriage|Sheree Zampino|1992|1995}}<br />{{marriage|[[Jada Pinkett Smith]]|1997||2011}} |
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| children =Trey Smith <br> [[Jaden Smith]]<br />[[Willow Smith]] |
| children =Trey Smith <br> [[Jaden Smith]]<br />[[Willow Smith]] |
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Revision as of 17:38, 24 August 2011
Will Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in May 2010 | |
| Born | Willard Christopher Smith, Jr. September 25, 1968 |
| Other names | The Fresh Prince |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, rapper, film producer, record producer, television producer |
| Years active | 1985–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Sheree Zampino (m. 1992–1995) |
| Children | Trey Smith Jaden Smith Willow Smith |
| Website | http://www.willsmith.com/ |
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968)[1] is an American actor, film producer and rapper. He has enjoyed success in music, television and film. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood.[2] Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammy Awards.
In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased dramatically when he starred in the popular television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show ran for nearly six years (1990–1996) on NBC and has been syndicated consistently on various networks since then. In the mid-1990s, Smith transitioned from television to film, and ultimately starred in numerous blockbuster films that received broad box office success. In fact, he is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office as well as being the only actor to have eight consecutive films in which he starred open at the #1 spot in the domestic box office tally.[3]
Fourteen of the 19 fiction films he has acted in have accumulated worldwide gross earnings of over $100 million, and 4 of them took in over $500 million in global box office receipts. As of 2011, his films have grossed $5.7 billion in global box office.[4] His most financially successful films have been Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Independence Day, Men in Black, Men in Black II, I, Robot, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, Hancock, Wild Wild West, Enemy of the State, Shark Tale, Hitch and Seven Pounds. He also earned critical praise for his performances in Six Degrees of Separation, Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, receiving Best Actor Oscar nominations for the latter two.
Family and early life
Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Smith also spent time in Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline (née Bright), was a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration engineer.[5][6] He was raised Baptist.[7] His parents separated when he was 13,[8] and did not actually divorce until Smith was around 30.[9]
While it is widely reported that Smith turned down a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he never applied to MIT,[10] although he was admitted to a "pre-engineering program" there.[9] According to Smith, "My mother, who worked for the School Board of Philadelphia, had a friend who was the admissions officer at MIT. I had pretty high SAT scores and they needed black kids, so I probably could have gotten in. But I had no intention of going to college."[11]
Recording and acting career
Early work (1985–1995)
Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime". They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988). He had a line in "Voices That Care", a 1991 Gulf War song by a celebrity group. Smith spent money freely during his early career and underpaid his income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income.[12] Smith was nearly bankrupt in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and began his acting career. Smith set for himself the goal of becoming "the biggest movie star in the world," studying box office successes' common characteristics.[8]
Breakthrough (1996–2000)
In 1996, Smith starred as part of an ensemble cast in Roland Emmerich's Independence Day. The film was a massive blockbuster, becoming the second highest grossing film in history at the time and establishing Smith as a prime box office draw.[13] In 1998, Smith starred with Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State. Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. Despite the disappointment of Wild Wild West, Smith has said that he harbors no regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what he himself (Smith) would have achieved.[14]
International success (2001–present)
In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for attending a record breaking three premieres in a 24-hour time span.[15]
He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television series It Takes a Thief.[16]
On December 10, 2007, Smith was recognized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the world renowned theater in front of many fans.[17] Later that month, Smith starred in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite marginally positive reviews,[18] its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December. Smith himself has said that he considers the film to be "aggressively unique".[19] A reviewer said that the film's commercial success "cemented [Smith's] standing as the number one box office draw in Hollywood."[20] On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith has been selected as one of America’s top ten most fascinating people of 2008 for a Barbara Walters ABC special that aired on December 4, 2008.[21]
Smith is currently developing a film entitled The Last Pharaoh, in which he will star as Taharqa.[22]
President Barack Obama has stated that if a film were to ever be made about his life, he would have Smith play his part, because "he has the ears". Obama stated that the two have discussed a possibility of a film based on the 2008 election, but this may not happen until the end of the Obama presidency.[23]
He is currently filming Men in Black III for a 2012 release playing Agent J one of his more popular earlier roles, making this his first major starring role in four years.
On August 19, 2011, it was announced[24] that Smith had returned to the studio with producer La Mar Edwards to make a new album. Edwards has worked with artists such as T.I., Chris Brown, and Game.
Personal life
Smith was raised by his parents in West Philadelphia. Smith credits his father's dedication when discussing his own involvement in the lives of his three children: "I look at my father and how he was able to keep four kids fed and clothed and still managed to find time to spend with us."[25] Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher Smith III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1998 single "Just the Two of Us". Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997. Together they have had two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998), his co-star in The Pursuit of Happyness, and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000), who appeared as his daughter in I Am Legend. Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc.,[26] a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son. Smith and his family reside on Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida and in Los Angeles, Stockholm, Sweden[27] and Philadelphia.
Smith was consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40. He donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.[28] December 11, 2009, Smith and his wife hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, when Obama had won the prize.[29]
Smith has said he has studied multiple religions, including Scientology, and he has said many complimentary things about Scientology and other faiths. Despite his praise of Scientology, Smith said "I just think a lot of the ideas in Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious"[30][31] and "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different."[32] He has denied having joined the Church of Scientology, saying "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions, and I respect all people and all paths."[33] Smith gave $1.3 million to charities in 2007, of which $450,000 went to two Christian ministries, and $122,500 went to three Scientology organizations; the remaining beneficiaries included "a Los Angeles mosque, other Christian-based schools and churches, and [...] the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Center in Israel".[34] Smith and his wife have also founded a private elementary school in Calabasas, California, the New Village Leadership Academy, which has attracted controversy and speculation over its use of Study Technology, a teaching methodology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.[35]
Discography
- Rock the House (1987)
- He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988)
- And in This Corner... (1989)
- Homebase (1991)
- Code Red (1993)
- Big Willie Style (1997)
- Willennium (1999)
- Born to Reign (2002)
- Lost and Found (2005)
Filmography
Box office grosses
| Year | Title | Budget | U.S. gross[37] | Worldwide gross[37] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Where the Day Takes You | N/A | $390,152 | $390,152 |
| 1993 | Made in America | $44,942,695 | $104,942,695 | |
| Six Degrees of Separation | $6,284,090 | $6,284,090 | ||
| 1995 | Bad Boys | $23m | $65,647,413 | $141,247,413 |
| 1996 | Independence Day | $75m | $306,169,255 | $817,400,878 |
| 1997 | Men in Black | $90m | $250,690,539 | $587,790,539 |
| 1998 | Enemy of the State | $111,549,836 | $250,649,836 | |
| 1999 | Wild Wild West | $170m | $113,805,681 | $222,105,681 |
| 2000 | The Legend of Bagger Vance | $80m | $30,695,227 | $39,235,486 |
| 2001 | Ali | $107m | $58,183,966 | $84,383,966 |
| 2002 | Men in Black II | $140m | $190,418,803 | $441,818,803 |
| 2003 | Bad Boys II | $60m | $138,540,870 | $272,940,870 |
| 2004 | I, Robot | $120m | $144,801,023 | $348,601,023 |
| Shark Tale | $75m | $161,192,000 | $367,192,000 | |
| 2005 | Hitch | $70m | $177,784,257 | $366,784,257 |
| 2006 | The Pursuit of Happyness | $55m | $162,586,036 | $306,086,036 |
| 2007 | I Am Legend | $150m | $256,393,010 | $585,055,701 |
| 2008 | Hancock | $227,946,274 | $624,346,274 | |
| Seven Pounds | $55m | $69,369,933 | $166,617,328 |
References
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. "Will Smith > Overview". Allmusic. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
- ^ Sean Smith (April 9, 2007). "The $4 Billion Man". Newsweek. Retrieved July 7, 2011.}
- ^ "WEEKEND ESTIMATES: 'Hancock' Delivers $107M 5-Day Opening, Giving Will Smith a Record Eighth Consecutive $100M Grossing Movie!; 'WALL-E' with $33M 3-Day; 'Wanted' Down 60 Percent for $20.6M; 'Kit Kittredge' a Disaster!". Fantasy Moguls. July 3, 2008. Retrieved July 7, 2008.
- ^ Staskiewicz, Keith. "Will Smith's Road to Superstardom". Entertainment Weekly. July 8, 2011. page 10
- ^ "Will Smith Biography (1968–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ "Where there's a Will, there's a way". Taipei Times. August 9, 2004.
- ^ Strauss, Bob (December 14, 2007). "Will Smith on power, dogs and Cruise". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ a b Rebecca Winters Keegan (November 29, 2007). "The Legend of Will Smith". Time.
- ^ a b James Lipton (producer) (January 13, 2002). "Will Smith". Inside the Actors Studio. Season 8. Episode 806. Bravo.
- ^ Jennifer Hillner; Wu, JS; Hyland, B; Lu, XD; Chen, JJ (2007). "I, Robocop". Wired. 46 (8): 833–9. doi:10.1007/s11517-008-0355-6. PMID 18509686.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ Meg Grant (2006). "Will Smith Interview: Will's Roots". Reader's Digest. Retrieved June 27, 2006.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^
Smith, Will (December 2, 2007). (Interview). Interviewed by Steve Kroft.
{{cite interview}}: Missing or empty|title=(help); Unknown parameter|callsign=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|program=ignored (help) - ^ "Independence Day". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ "Smith has no Matrix Regrets". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ Daniel Saney (February 23, 2005). "Will Smith in Guinness Book of Records". Digital Spy.
- ^ Gabriel Snyder (March 21, 2006). "U finds man of steal for 'Thief' feature". Variety.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "''HHWorlds.com'' – Will Smith Immortalized At Grauman's Chinese Theater". Hhworlds.com. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ "I Am Legend". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ Will Smith: He is a legend video interview with stv.tv, December 2007
- ^ Gitesh Pandya (December 16, 2007). "Box Office Guru Wrapup: Will Smith Rescues Industry With Explosive Opening For I Am Legend". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved December 17, 2007.
- ^ Barbara Walters Gets Up Close with 2008's Most Fascinating People" TV Guide. December 1, 2008. Retrieved on December 3, 2008.
- ^ "Will Smith set to conquer Egypt?". Jam Showbiz. March 23, 2008. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ "In the movie of Obama's life, he'd pick Will Smith to star". Sun-Times. February 26, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
Will and I have talked about this because he has the ears!
- ^ "Will Smith making a new album? A producer says yes". Entertainment Weekly.
- ^ "Becoming ... Will Smith". People. March 28, 2005. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Treyball Development". Treyball Development. Retrieved June 23, 2010.
- ^ "Hail to the chief: Mr Will Smith shall go to Washington". Daily Mail. UK. December 27, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ "Will Smith's Federal Campaign Contribution Report". newsmeat.com. Retrieved January 11, 2008.
- ^ "The Nobel Peace Prize Concert". nobelpeaceprize.org. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
- ^ "Smith Turns Down Cruise's Scientology Bid". Hollywood.com. December 1, 2006.
- ^ Clark Collis (June 2005). "Dear Superstar: Will Smith". Blender.
- ^ "Will Smith Admits to Studying Scientology With Tom Cruise". US Magazine. November 20, 2007.
- ^ "Will and Jada are not Scientologists". MSN Entertainment. March 18, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2008.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (December 17, 2008). "Will Smith Gives $1.3 Million to Charities". Fox News. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ Downie, Heather (September 11, 2000). "What Goes on Inside Will Smith, Jada Pinkett-Smith's School? The New Village Leadership Academy Allegedly Mimics Some Scientology Teaching Methods". ABC News.
- ^ Brendon Connelly (April 21, 2010). "Barry Sonnenfeld Confirms Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones For Men in Black 3D". /Film. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
- ^ a b "Will Smith – Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
Further reading
- Iannucci, Lisa (2009). Will Smith: A Biography. Greenwood. ISBN 0313376107.
External links
- Official website
- Will Smith at IMDb
- Template:Ymovies name
- Will Smith on Charlie Rose in 2002
- Will Smith at People.com
- Will Smith discography at MusicBrainz
| Studio albums | |
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| Compilation albums | |
| Singles | |
| Featured singles | |
| Other songs | |
| Film screenplay only |
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| Films produced only |
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| Family | |
| Related | |
- 1968 births
- Actors from Pennsylvania
- African American film actors
- African-American film producers
- African American rappers
- American beatboxers
- American hip hop musicians
- American rappers
- American television actors
- Baptists from the United States
- Columbia Records artists
- Grammy Award winners
- Interscope Records artists
- Living people
- People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Rappers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Saturn Award winners