Will Smith

"The Fresh Prince" redirects here. For the sitcom, see The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Will Smith

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is a Golden Globe- and two time Academy Award-nominated American actor, and a multiple Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist. He is one of a small group of people who have enjoyed success in three major entertainment media in the United States. Newsweek has called him the most powerful actor on the planet.

Smith's most notable television role was that of William "Will" Smith (his namesake role) in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In his film work, his notable roles include Agent J in Men in Black and Men in Black II, Muhammad Ali in Ali, as well as his role in the blockbuster Independence Day and more recently as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness with his son Jaden Smith and as Robert Neville in I Am Legend with his daughter Willow Smith.

He is also one of only three actors in the history of film to have seven consecutive US$100 million blockbusters, the two other being Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.

Biography

Early life and education

In west Philadelphia, Smith was born and raised the son of Caroline (née Bright), a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school board, and Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., a refrigeration engineer. He was raised Baptist. His parents divorced when he was thirteen. Smith's charming and sly demeanor in school resulted in the nickname "Prince", which eventually turned into the "Fresh Prince". While still in his teens, Smith began rapping and eventually began collaborating with Jeff Townes (a.k.a. D.J. Jazzy Jeff), whom he met at a party. He attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born with Smith handling the rhymes and Townes overseeing the mastery of mixing and scratching — the combination was a pop and hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s.

While it is widely reported that Smith turned down a scholarship to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Smith denied this in a Reader's Digest interview, stating, "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." This is corroborated in a Wired interview where he states he never applied to MIT. Despite the above, when Smith appeared on Inside the Actors Studio, he stated that he was admitted to the "pre-engineering program" at MIT.

Career

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 was nearing bankruptcy when in 1990, 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 launched his acting career. Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in the buddy cop action film Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence.

After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended in 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones's deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. He originally rejected the lead role in Men in Black, but wife Jada Pinkett Smith coaxed him into acceptance. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office, a reputation Smith would begin to term a "Big Willie Weekend". Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. After the failure of Wild Wild West and watching Keanu Reeves' performance, he suggests that he would not have been the appropriate actor for the role at the time, but still considers passing on The Matrix as a big mistake. He then gained lead roles in several box office successes including Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, Hitch, and I, Robot.

Smith is one of only two hip-hop artists to receive an Oscar nomination in an acting category (Best Actor, Ali, 2001), for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, in the biopic. He once more was nominated for Best Actor Oscar - this time for his role in another true-life movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, where he played Chris Gardner in his rags to riches story.

Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith created the UPN (later CW) sitcom All of Us, which was loosely based on their lives. The show debuted on UPN in September 2003 and aired there for three seasons before moving to The CW in October 2006 for one more season. The CW cancelled All of Us in May 2007.

Smith appeared as himself in Jersey Girl delivering the Silent Bob speech that appears in nearly all Kevin Smith movies. The lead character's situation is due to the claim, "Will Smith is just a rapper."

Smith also released a string of hit singles, often associated with his most recent film, throughout the late 1990s. The most notable of these were his #1 hit theme song "Men in Black," the #1 hit "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which made jiggy a catchphrase for a while in 1998), and a cover of "Just the Two of Us," an affectionate message to his young son. His first two solo albums went platinum, but his third, on Columbia Records, was a sales disappointment compared to his past efforts, and after a quick Greatest Hits release that was almost not advertised at all, he was dropped by the label. He signed a recording contract with Interscope Records and released the successful Lost & Found in 2005. The album was propelled solely on the smash hit single, "Switch", which appealed to the mainstream a la "Summertime". The single stayed atop the charts for months and returned Smith to the forefront of Hip Hop.

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. On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia in front of an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith appeared at Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards in 2005 performing "Switch", as well as the Black Entertainment Television awards in 2005. He appeared in the second game of the NBA Finals (San Antonio vs. Detroit) performing "Switch" in 2005. Smith also made a special appearance in the reality talent contest show "Indian Idol", when he visited India.

Smith was considered for the role of John Smith in the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith; Brad Pitt eventually received the role. He was also considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the remake of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television series It Takes a Thief. Smith also produced All of Us, a program loosely based on his love, life, and family in 2005. Smith recently starred in The Pursuit of Happyness with his son Jaden Smith; he received his second Academy Award nomination for the role for Best Actor but lost to Forest Whitaker.

Smith was recognized on December 10, 2007 at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the world renowned theater in front of many fans, including actor Tom Cruise. Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December.

Personal life

Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1997 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). Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc., a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son.

Smith has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40. Smith and his family reside on Star Island (Florida) in Miami, Florida, Los Angeles, Stockholm, Sweden and in Philadelphia. He donated money to assist Katrina victims. Smith is politically liberal and donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.

Smith is an enthusiast of the board games of chess, bingo and rummoli. He is also said to be fond of video gaming. Smith takes his mother to Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Arizona for one week each year.

In July 2002, Smith and his wife Jada requested a restraining order for Mike Cooley, an ex-caretaker, who Smith alleged had been stalking the couple and their children for some time. Cooley allegedly demanded money or else he would file "a lawsuit against plaintiffs and to go to the National Enquirer and other press with 'embarrassing' allegations.'" When the money was not paid, Cooley allegedly stalked and harassed the family still seeking money.

Smith remains close friends with Tatyana Ali, his former co-star on Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Smith influenced Ali to enter the music field after she performed as a singer on several episodes of the show. Because Smith has admitted to studying Scientology, has said many complimentary things about Scientology, and because he and his wife are close friends of prominent Scientologists Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, it has led to rumors that Smith is a Scientologist. Smith has neither confirmed nor denied that he has joined the Church of Scientology, but has said, "I just think a lot of the ideas in Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious." 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". After Jada made the film Collateral with Cruise in 2004, the couple donated $20,000 to Scientology’s literacy campaign, called HELP, The Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, which is the basis for Scientology’s home-schooling system.

Remarks about Hitler

On 22 December 2007 Smith said in part of an interview for the Daily Record: "Even Hitler didn't wake up going, 'let me do the most evil thing I can do today'... I think he woke up in the morning and using a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good'. Stuff like that just needs reprogramming."

This quote directly followed the reporter's own idea about Smith: "Remarkably, Will believes everyone is basically good."

After learning of the reaction to the story, Smith clarified his remarks: "Adolf Hitler was a vile, heinous vicious killer responsible for one of the greatest acts of evil committed on this planet."
The Anti-Defamation League said: "We welcome and accept Will Smith's statement that Hitler was a `vicious killer' and that he did not mean for his remarks about the Nazi leader to be mistaken as praise."

Discography

With DJ Jazzy Jeff (as The Fresh Prince)

Album information
Rock the House Released: March 18, 1987 Chart positions: #83 US, #24 Top R&B/Hip Hop Last RIAA certification: 2x Platinum Singles: "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble", "Magnificent Jazzy Jeff",
He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper Released: March 29, 1988 Chart positions: #4 US, #5 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: 3x Platinum Singles: "Parents Just Don't Understand", "Brand New Funk", "Nightmare on My Street"
And in this Corner... Released: October 17, 1989 Chart positions: #39 US, #19 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles: "I Think I Can Beat Mike Tyson", "Jazzy's Groove"
Homebase Released: July 23, 1991 Chart positions: #12 US, #5 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: 2x Platinum Singles: "Summertime", "Ring My Bell",
Code Red Released: October 13, 1993 Chart positions: #64 US, #39 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles: "Boom! I Shake the Room", I'm Looking for the One", "I Wanna Rock"

Singles

See DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince #Singles

Solo

Album information
Big Willie Style Released: November 25, 1997 Chart positions: #8 US, #9 Top R&B/Hip Hop Last RIAA certification: 10x Platinum Singles: "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It", "Miami", "Just The Two Of Us", "Men In Black", "Just Cruisin'"
Willennium Released: November 16, 1999 Chart positions: # 5 US, #8 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: 3x Platinum Singles: "Will 2K", "Freakin' It", "Wild Wild West"
Born to Reign Released: June 25, 2002 Chart positions: #13 US, # 13 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles: "1,000 Kisses", "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)"
Greatest Hits Released: November 26, 2002 Chart positions: Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles:
Lost and Found Released: March 29, 2005 Chart positions: #6 US, #4 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Last RIAA certification: Gold Singles: "Party Starter", "Switch"

Singles

Dates relate to UK release dates.

Year	Song	U.S. Hot 100	CAN	UK	AUS	Album
Aug 1997	Men in Black (Featuring Coko)	-	15	1	1	Big Willie Style
Dec 1997	Just Cruisin'	56	83	23	-	Big Willie Style
Feb 1998	Gettin' Jiggy Wit It	1	5	3	6	Big Willie Style
Aug 1998	Just the Two of Us	20	3	2	27	Big Willie Style
Dec 1998	Miami	17	3	3	27	Big Willie Style
July 1999	Wild Wild West (Featuring Dru Hill & Kool Moe Dee)	1	9	2	8	Willennium
Nov 1999	Will2K (Featuring K-Ci)	25	2	2	3	Willennium
Mar 2000	Freakin' It	99	34	15	-	Willennium
2000	So Fresh (Featuring DJ Jazzy Jeff, Biz Markie, & Slick Rick)	-	-	-	-	Willennium
Aug 2002	Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head) (Introducing Tra-Knox)	77	16	3	18	Born to Reign
April 2005	Switch	7	1	4	1	Lost & Found
Nov 2005	Party Starter	-	45	19	33	Lost & Found

Misc. performances

The following are several songs that Smith has been featured with other artists:

• "I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed)" (1989) (Billy Ocean feat. Mimi & Will Smith) [Credited as The Fresh Prince]
• "Voices That Care" (1991) by various artists [Credited as The Fresh Prince]
• "Boy You Knock Me Out" (1998) (Tatyana Ali featuring Will Smith)
• "Hey Sexy Lady (Remix)" (2003) (Shaggy featuring Brian & Tony Gold, Sean Paul, & Will Smith)
• "Got To Be Real" (2004) (Mary J. Blige featuring Will Smith)

Filmography

Year	Film	Role	Notes
1990	Saturday Morning Videos	Host	TV
	The Perfect Date - "ABC Afterschool Specials"	Hawker	TV
	The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air	William "Will" Smith	TV (1990-1996)
1992	Blossom	Fresh Prince	TV, Cameo
	Where the Day Takes You	Manny
1993	Made in America	Tea Cake Walters
	Six Degrees of Separation	Paul
1995	Bad Boys	Detective Mike Lowrey
1996	Independence Day	Captain Steven “Steve” Hiller, USMC
1997	Men in Black	James Edwards / Agent J
1998	Enemy of the State	Robert Clayton Dean
1999	Torrance Rises		Cameo
	Wild Wild West	Captain Jim West
2000	Welcome to Hollywood	Himself
	The Legend of Bagger Vance	Bagger Vance
2001	Ali	Muhammad Ali	Academy Award Best Actor Nomination
2002	Men in Black II	James Edwards / Agent J
	Girlfriend by B2K	Himself	Music video
2003	Bad Boys II	Detective Mike Lowrey
2004	A Closer Walk	Narrator	Documentary
	Jersey Girl	Himself	Cameo
	American Chopper	Himself	TV, Cameo
	I, Robot	Detective Del Spooner	Producer
	Shark Tale	Oscar	Voice
2005	There's a God on the Mic		Documentary
	Hitch	Alex "Hitch" Hitchens	Producer
2006	The Pursuit of Happyness	Chris Gardner	Producer, Academy Award Best Actor Nomination
2007	I Am Legend	Robert Neville
2008	Hancock		filming
	Time Share		announced
TBD	Seven Pounds		post-production

See also

• Best selling music artists
• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
• List of supercouples

External links

• Official site
• Official Myspace
• Will Smith at IMDb
• Template:Ymovies name
• Will Smith at People.com
• Will Smith discography at MusicBrainz
• Complete list of roles turned down by Will Smith
• Will Smith talks about MIT urban legend
• Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince fansite
• Will Smith at Rolling Stone