Will Smith

Will Smith
Name	Will Smith
Caption	Smith in 2019
Birth name	Willard Carroll Smith II
Birth date	25 September 1968
Birth place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupation	Actor, producer, rapper
Years active	1985–present
Spouse	Sheree Zampino (m. 1992; div. 1995), Jada Pinkett Smith (m. 1997)
Children	3, including Jaden and Willow
Awards	Full list

Will Smith. Willard Carroll Smith II is an American actor, producer, and rapper who has achieved monumental success in multiple entertainment fields. Initially rising to fame as one half of the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, he later became a dominant global box office star through a series of blockbuster films. His career, spanning from the late 1980s to the present, has earned him numerous accolades including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards.

Early life and education

Willard Carroll Smith II was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Caroline, a Philadelphia School Board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr., a United States Air Force veteran and refrigeration engineer. He was raised in a Baptist household in the Wynnefield neighborhood of West Philadelphia. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Philadelphia before graduating from Overbrook High School. Renowned for his academic prowess, Smith was offered a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, but he chose to pursue a career in music instead.

Acting career

Smith's acting career began with the popular NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired from 1990 to 1996 and was loosely based on his life. His successful transition to film was marked by starring roles in major science fiction and action film blockbusters such as Independence Day, the Men in Black series, and I, Robot. He received critical acclaim and his first Academy Award for Best Actor nomination for his portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann's Ali. Further acclaimed dramatic performances followed in films like The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds. In 2022, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.

Music career

Alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, Smith formed the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, achieving early success with hits like "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime", winning the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989. His solo music career flourished alongside his acting, with his work on soundtracks for projects like Men in Black and Wild Wild West becoming major chart successes. His albums, including Big Willie Style and Willennium, achieved multi-platinum status, solidifying his place in pop music history.

Personal life

Smith was first married to Sheree Zampino from 1992 to 1995; they have one son, Trey Smith. He married actress Jada Pinkett Smith in 1997, and they have two children, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith, both of whom have pursued careers in music and acting. The family has been the subject of significant media scrutiny, with their personal dynamics discussed on their Facebook Watch show Red Table Talk. Smith identifies as a Christian and has studied the teachings of Scientology without formally joining the Church of Scientology.

Filmography and discography

Smith's extensive filmography includes leading roles in major franchises and acclaimed dramas. Key films include Bad Boys, Enemy of the State, Hitch, I Am Legend, Hancock, Aladdin, and Gemini Man. His discography comprises five studio albums with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and four solo albums, including Lost and Found. He has also released numerous singles that have charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Awards and recognition

Smith's work has been recognized with some of the highest honors in entertainment. He is one of the few artists to have won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Grammy Award. His Grammy wins include awards for "Summertime" and "Parents Just Don't Understand". He has received multiple MTV Movie Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2007, his star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Category:American male film actors Category:American rappers Category:Academy Award winners