Will Smith Actor Date of Birth: 25.09.1968 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Career
2. Breakthrough: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
3. Big Screen Success
4. Blockbuster Hits and Beyond
5. Personal Life
6. Ups and Downs
7. Legacy

Early Life and Career

Willard Smith II was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents, Willard Smith Sr. and Caroline Bright, owned a refrigeration company and worked as a school administrator, respectively. As a child, Smith earned the nickname "Prince" for his charming and resourceful ability to talk his way out of trouble. This moniker would later become part of his stage name.

Smith developed a passion for rap music at a young age. He formed the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince with his friend Jeff Townes. Their songs gained popularity, earning them two platinum albums and Grammy Awards for "He's the DJ" and "I'm the Rapper." However, by the age of 18, Smith had accumulated significant debts.

Breakthrough: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air

Smith's fortunes changed when he was offered the lead role in the television series "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" by a Warner Bros. producer. The show, which essentially featured Smith playing himself as a street-smart Black teen transported to Beverly Hills, became a cultural phenomenon. It transformed Smith from a rapper into a successful actor and allowed him to pay off his debts.

Big Screen Success

Smith transitioned to film, appearing in several movies, including "Six Degrees of Separation" (1993). His breakthrough came with the blockbuster action movie "Bad Boys" (1995), where he starred alongside Martin Lawrence as a reckless yet charming police duo.

Blockbuster Hits and Beyond

Smith's career skyrocketed following the success of "Bad Boys." He starred in the sci-fi action hit "Independence Day" (1996) and the blockbuster comedy "Men in Black" (1997), which cemented his status as a Hollywood A-lister. The "Men in Black" soundtrack also revived Smith's music career, with the hit single "Men in Black" topping the charts.

Personal Life

Smith married his first wife, Sheree Zampino, in 1992, but they divorced three years later. In 1997, he married his longtime girlfriend, actress Jada Pinkett. They have two children together, Jaden and Willow Smith.

Ups and Downs

In the wake of his success with "Independence Day" and "Men in Black," Smith enjoyed continued success with "Enemy of the State" (1998). However, his attempt to play a cowboy in "Wild Wild West" (1999) was a critical and commercial failure, earning him a "Golden Raspberry Award" for Worst Film.

Legacy

Despite his setbacks, Smith's talent and popularity have ensured his enduring presence in Hollywood. With the anticipated sequel to "Men in Black" and other projects in the pipeline, Will Smith is poised to continue his legacy as a versatile and captivating actor, rapper, and cultural icon.