List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters
The Bel Air family
William "Will" Smith
Will Smith was born July 3, 1973 in West Philadelphia without a knowledge of where his father is (although he does meet him in one episode), loosely based on the portrayor (the actor Will Smith)'s personality as an adolescent. Will is somewhat of a schemer and womanizer, frequently hatching plots to make money, get the girl, and have fun despite the wishes of his strict Uncle Phil. Well-meaning but impulsive, street-smart but not very wise, many plot lines hinge on the unintended consequences of his actions. A big heart and guilty conscience usually make sure he does the right thing in the end. He has a wicked sense of humor and frequently jokes about Philip’s weight, Carlton’s height, and Hilary’s lack of wit. Having grown up in the inner city, he is unaccustomed to the Banks’ affluence and sometimes looks down on them for it, a dynamic that inspires a significant amount of the show’s humor. Despite this, it is clear that in time Will comes to consider the Banks’ his own family, as close to him as his mother. At the conclusion of the series he remains in Los Angeles to continue his education. Over time, Will developed some maturity, and although he always had the same personality, he wasn't always as crazy as he was in Season 1.
First Line in show:(while hugging Geoffrey) "Hey Uncle Phil!"
Philip "Zeke" Banks
The character of Philip Banks (Uncle Phil) born on January 30, 1946 in Yamacraw, North Carolina referred to by his parents as Zeke, was portrayed by James Avery. At the beginning of the series, Philip is a lawyer with the firm of Firth, Wynn and Meyer (whom Will first refers to as "Earth, Wind & Fire") but in the third season is appointed a judge after the senile incumbent Judge Robertson (Sherman Hemsley in a recurring role), against whom Philip had earlier run an unsuccessful campaign, died suddenly. Philip later considers making a deeper foray into politics, but decides against it when his wife disapproves.
Philip is a somewhat strict and gruff man, but he does have a softer side, and is also an upstanding citizen. He was raised on a farm in Yamacraw, North Carolina, went to Princeton University on scholarship, and in the 1960s became an activist for the civil rights movement. He was present at the riots in Selma in 1965, and in the pilot episode also mentions he once heard Malcolm X speak. In 1963, he was awarded a scholarship to study at Princeton University, after which he went to Harvard Law School. In 1975 he was put on the board of the NAACP and was later awarded the Urban Spirit Award for his work in promoting civil rights.
In an episode guest starring Hugh Hefner and his mansion, Hef mentions to Phillip that he is always "happy to talk to my longtime subscribers", much to Will's amusement.
First line in show: "It is amazing; you certainly have grown, Will."
Vivian 'Viv' Banks
The character of Vivian Banks (née Smith), born in 1951, was portrayed by Janet Hubert-Whitten from seasons 1 to 3 (1990 to 1993), and by Daphne Maxwell Reid from seasons 4 to 6 (1993 to 1996). This change of the actress portraying her also causes Jazz to comment on the change of her appearance in the opening episodes of the new season. She is a professor of Black History and Literature at an undisclosed university, and in one early episode takes a temporary job as a teacher for a unit in Black History at Bel-Air Academy, the fictional upscale preparatory high school attended by Will and Carlton. She has three sisters: Helen, Janice, and Will's mother Viola (Vy).
Vivian's personality and role in the show changes over the run of the series. During the Janet Hubert-Whitten years she is a no-nonsense, forthright, career-minded woman who plays a part in the show equal to the character of Philip. After Reid took the part in 1993 and baby Nicky was added to the cast, the writers seemed to de-emphasize her former persona and generally portrayed her as a loving, supportive, non-confrontational homemaker with a smaller role in the show's plotlines.
First line in show: "Willie!"
Hilary Banks
The character of Hilary Banks (Hil), (born 1966) is Will's attractive, but dull-headed eldest cousin. Known for her notable lack of intelligence, her pretention, and for being "spoiled". Hilary was portrayed by Karyn Parsons. In earlier seasons, Hilary's snobbishness is emphasized, as well as her shallow trendy environmental activism (which was later dropped). During this time she often claimed to hobnob with celebrities. Later on, she's written as a self-centered airhead; another change, being her wardrobe was mostly short skirts and shorts. Her funniest lines being comments that betray her comical ignorance. During the series she attends and drops out of UCLA, after which she begins a Mr. Magoo-like streak of luck that eventually lands her a nationally-televised daytime talk show, Hilary. It starts when she becomes a weather reporter at a local TV station, where she meets and falls in love with news anchor Trevor Newsworthy (referred to as Trevor Collins in earlier episodes) portrayed by Brian Stokes Mitchell. However, he dies in a bungee accident while proposing marriage, part of an ill-conceived live publicity stunt. At the conclusion of the series her talk show Hilary! moves to New York City, as does most of the rest of the Banks family.
First line in show: "Dad, I need $300."
Carlton Banks
The character of Carlton Banks (called "C" by Will) was born August 4, 1974, Will's pedantic and preppy cousin, was portrayed by Alfonso Ribeiro. Carlton is firmly conservative Republican, and proves both friend and foe for Will. His role model is talk show host Bryant Gumbel, and his favorite musician (and, according to him, guardian angel) is Tom Jones. His favorite actor is William Shatner, whom he annoys by making lame Star Trek jokes. He also idolizes Macauley Culkin, whom he once dressed up as for Halloween.
Like Family Ties character Alex P. Keaton, Carlton dresses in a preppy style, is obsessed with money, is fairly short (Ribeiro is 5ft 6.25in, or 168 cm, a common subject of Will's jokes on the show), and does not enjoy the popular music of most people his age. In earlier seasons, he makes frequent reference to his virginity (which was by choice), and also plans to attend Princeton (Philip's alma mater). In later seasons, these arcs are both resolved: Carlton does indeed lose his virginity(to the wife of Princeton's dean), but is not initially admitted to Princeton--instead he first attends the (fictional) University of Los Angeles, where he briefly manages ULA's student store, the Peacock. He is a straight-A student and his dream is to go to Princeton. Carlton also seems to have a gambling problem, and looses control, as well as all his (and usually Will's) money in any situation where gambling is involved, despite saying that gambling is an evil before each situation where he looses his money.
In the sixth and last season, he finally gains transfer admission to Princeton and leaves for the East Coast of the United States in the series finale. Despite his geeky persona, he is surprisingly well built, causing comment among Ashley's friends and the audience in particular when he appears in swimwear. Carlton screams like a girl when he sees something surprising, like Will kissing a girl. Like Will, Carlton's personality slightly changed, from snotty to a goofier self. A running gag for him is continuously being slapped across the head by various characters.
First line in show: "How's it going there Will?"
Ashley Banks
The character of Ashley Banks disappoint them. Philip was always trying to control Ashley's life so she didn't become anything like regular teenage girls(one example was when he tried to force Ashley to stop playing the drums and return to the violin). Will's devil-may-care approach to life is an exciting alternative, which makes her generally more sympathetic and understanding towards him than other members of the Banks family. By spending time with Will, she turns into a rebel when she gets older, which her father becomes very angry at Will for. In the episode "Father Knows Best" Ashley lies and drops out of private school and goes into public school. Ashley matures through puberty in the series; is a one-hit wonder with her has a brief career singing in her later teens [1], and strives to become a fashion model.
In the season finale she decides to attend a performing arts school in New York. As Hilary is moving to New York with her Hilary talk show, the two sisters decide to live together and both are extremely excited about the whole idea.
First line in show: "Hi Mom! Hi Dad!"
Nicky Banks
Nicholas (Nicky) Banks is born to Philip and Vivian in early 1993, towards the end of the third season. The character was primarily used as a plot device, adding motivation for other characters, comic relief, or an emotional punch to the show's storylines. As is common in television series, especially soap operas, Nicky grows from newborn infant to pre-schooler between seasons, and confused characters on the show actually question how this came to be. After this "spurt," beginning in the 5th season, he was portrayed by Ross Bagley.
Nicky's full name is Nicholas Andrew Michael Shawn Nathan Wanya Banks. His last four middle names are the names of the members of Boyz II Men; he was middle-named this way after they performed at his christening.
Geoffrey Barbara Butler
The character of Geoffrey Butler ("G"), the Banks family's British butler, was portrayed by Joseph Marcell. In addition to a long career working for British aristocrats, Geoffrey was an Olympic runner several years before being hired by the Banks family, but fled his home country in shame after cheating in a race and being slapped by the Queen of England. In the 1970's, he was a butler for the band Led Zeppelin.
He constantly refers to Will as "Master William," and is the voice of caustic humor on the show, often commenting on Philip's weight, his own low pay, his lack of a social or romantic life, the laziness of the family, and comic one-liners. He becomes the godfather of Nicky Banks (the son of Philip and Vivian) in the fourth season. Midway into the sixth season, Geoffrey discovers he has a son he never knew about, named Freddy and born to an ex-wife. During the same episode it is also revealed that his middle name is "Barbara," which he explains is a "family name." He leaves to be with his son in London in the series finale; also in the episode, he calls Will by his name before departing.
First line in show: "I am not your Uncle Phil."
Recurring characters
Jazz
The character of Jazz was portrayed by Will Smith's musical partner Jeffrey A. Townes, popularly known as D.J. Jazzy Jeff. Jazz is Will's ill-mannered, not-so-bright best friend who lives in the inner-city community of Compton. He has a long crush on Hilary, and she occasionally falls for him, but he eventually marries a prison inmate named Jewel who had appeared on the television show COPS. He divorces her shortly afterward, realizing he knows nothing about her. (In the 1994-95 season ender, "For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls" Jazz says Jewel's real name was Hortense; Jazz's revelations lead Will to question his own fiancée, Lisa.) Jazz is almost completely tactless, and succeeds in insulting or irritating Philip almost every time they are together. One strange thing though, is that he knows how to play the drums very well, and once gave Ashley a lesson. In a recurring gag throughout the series, Philip usually ends up literally throwing Jazz out of the house. Notice that when Jazz is thrown out of the house, he is usually wearing the same clothes. This is because Warner Bros. decided to use the same clip over and over instead of throwing him out each time. Ironically, the same scene of Jazz getting thrown out is constantly reused, making for some loopholes in the episode based on weather. At the end of one episode, it had a continuous outtake reel of Jazz being thrown out of the house. This gag also happened to Will in a few episodes. And in a counter, Jazz did it to Philip once. There was also an instance where Jazz was standing outside taunting Philip because he was already standing outside; as a result, Philip throws him inside the house.
His first line was "You got that right" when Philip said "I'm Mr.Banks."
Lou Smith
Lou Smith was a one-time character on the series. He was Will's father and the same father who had abandonned him and his mother when Will was a baby because he "was scared and..." but he never finished this sentence because Phillip told him to "Cut the Crap!". In one of the episodes of the fourth season he appears at the Peacock where Will and Carlton where working at. When he sees Will for the first time all grown up he is invited by Will to the Banks residence. But when he comes in Vivian, Phillip and the entire Banks family are all shocked to see him (except Nicky who doesn't even know him especially since he was a baby at the time). Will and his father go to a carnival where Lou explains to him he wasn't ready to be a father. When they return to the house, they tell Phillip that they're going on a trip for the summer. Phil rejects this because he's afraid Lou will run away from Will again. After Lou leaves the house to go to the pool house Will and Phil get into a fight which ends with Will deciding to go anyways because Phil is not his father. Phil himself feels traumatized by what Will says wondering if he is a good father to the other kids. He apologizes to Will the next day and wishes him good luck.
After a while, the family is still waiting for Lou to return but Phil knew he was going to leave again until Lou arrives telling them he's gotten another job and it's "a big one" and will not be enough room for Will. Phillip decides to argue with Lou saying that now he's back he has responsibilities for Will and doesn't believe they're taking the trip. Lou fights back saying he couldn't handle being a father but Phillip explains that being there for his family everyday is what a man does. Lou still wonders if he's going to tell Will he can't go. When Phil doesn't decide to do it Lou does but when he's away from the house but Will comes in before he leaves but Lou finally tells him he can't take him along because of his "job" and tells him he'll call him the next week or maybe the next after the next. Finding no other words to say he leaves. Will knows he has left him again and gets really upset while telling Uncle Phil what Will has done in the past 14 years without him (all were good including his birthdays except Lou never sent him a birthday card). Will accepts the fact he doesn't need a father and he'll get through life without him. Will starts crying asking Phil "How come he don't want me, man?" In the end the two embrace and Will now accepts Phil as the father he never had.
Vy Smith
Viola (Vy) Smith, portrayed by Vernee Watson-Johnson, is Will's mother and Vivian's oldest sister. It was her idea that Will should go to Bel-Air to get a good education and avoid a life of violence in the West Philadelphia ghetto. She eventually marries Lisa Wilkes' father after Will and Lisa call off their second wedding attempt. Her maiden name and married name were the same, as Will's father was named Lou Smith. Her last appearance was in "There's A Rub (Part 2).
Helen Smith
The character of Helen Smith, portrayed by Jenifer Lewis, is Vivian's loudmouthed older sister. She has frequent marriage difficulties with her husband Lester, whom she finally divorces, leaving him with custody over their son.
Janice Smith
Janice Smith, played by Charlayne Woodard, is the youngest of the Smith sisters and marries a white man named Frank (Diedrich Bader and later Robert Torti), a marriage older sister Vy originally objected to. She also appears in the series with a baby son.
Beulah Lisa Wilkes
Lisa Wilkes, portrayed by Nia Long, was introduced in later seasons as the girlfriend who tames Will into forsaking his womanizing ways. The two fall deeply in love and are engaged to be married, going so far as the ceremonies twice, but never actually tie the knot. The first time they elope to Las Vegas and try a Shaft-themed wedding, but walk out on the ceremony after realizing how much they wanted their families there. The second time (in the 1994-95 season ender "For Whom the Wedding Bell Tolls") Lisa leaves Will at the altar, just as they are about to say "I do" in front of all their friends and family, because she is having doubts. She is never seen again. (In the same episode Lisa reveals her real first name is Beulah, and the minister at the wedding says her full name, "Beulah Lisa Wilkes.") Funny enough,she had a small part as a pretty dumb girl in the second season (so not as Lisa Wilkes). It was the episode with Queen Latifah.
Lisa's father was memorably played by veteran actor John Amos. When Lisa and Will cut their second wedding short, he and Will's mother decide not to let the ceremony go to waste; they get married right then and there.
Jackie Ames
Jackie Ames was portrayed by Tyra Banks in the fourth season in only a few episodes. As manager of The Peacock, she is the object of Will's affection and frequent come-ons, but continually spurns his advances, deeming him too immature. The two were old childhood friends (and one-time lovers) from Philadelphia, but she feels Will hasn't grown up since those days. There are certain innuendos indicating she still has feelings for Will. In the episode in which Carlton loses his virginity, Will mentions that he lost his own just before he left Philadelphia; since Jackie had already mentioned how she and Will had spent one night together before he left for Bel-Air, it is possible Jackie was the first woman Will slept with.
Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum
Kellogg Lieberbaum, a classmate and friend of Will and Carlton at Bel-Air Academy, was portrayed by Michael Weiner. Most of his appearances were in the first season, but he makes two appearances in the second season as well. As a pun on Kellogg's Corn Flakes, he is nicknamed "Cornflake" by Will. Much of the humor of his character comes from the dissonance of an unassuming Jewish preppie using such phrases as "She is one fly sister" and "Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!".
Trevor Collins/Newsworthy
Trevor was Hilary's fiance, and coworker at the television station at which they both worked (her as a weather woman; him as an anchorman). He was originally referred to as "Trevor Collins," but later episodes established his surname as "Newsworthy." During his proposal to Hilary (during which he bungee-jumped off a bridge) he hit the ground, and died.
Celebrity Appearances
The show had many guest appearances by celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Donald Trump, Vanessa Williams, D. L. Hughley, Naomi Campbell, Quincy Jones, Isiah Thomas, Evander Holyfield, Jay Leno, Don Cornelius, William Shatner, Lela Rochon, Larenz Tate, Garcelle Beauvais, Sean Forsyth, Don Cheadle, Vivica A. Fox, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tom Jones, Richard Roundtree, Hank Azaria, Wayne Newton, Bo Jackson, Boyz II Men, Dr. Dre, Pat Morita, Bernie Kopell, Lark Voorhies, Duane Martin, Chi McBride, George Wallace, John Witherspoon, Zachery Ty Bryan, Jaleel White, B.B. King, Tevin Campbell, Al B. Sure!, Dick Clark, Robin Givens, Shavar Ross, Brad Garrett, Robert Guillaume, Pam Grier, Regis Philbin, Jasmine Guy, Ken Griffey, Jr., Chris Rock, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Hugh Hefner, Kathy Griffin, Milton Berle, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Dante Basco, and Queen Latifah.
The series finale featured Conrad Bain and Gary Coleman reprising their roles from Diff'rent Strokes, as well as Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, and Marla Gibbs reprising their roles from The Jeffersons, as potential buyers of the Bankses' house. Hemsley had also previously played the recurring role of Judge Robertson.