What do you relate the name Will Smith with? Do you recall his great smile or remember his catch phrase “Aw, hell no!” or possibly some of his legendary work in Hollywood block buster movies? Will Smith otherwise known as “The Fresh Prince” is an idol who has not lost popularity for decades. His Acting, Singing and Comedic skills have all won over audiences across the globe. But who is Will Smith the person? Well let’s take a look at the life, career and impact of this global icon.
Early Life and Beginnings
Willard Carroll Smith II was born on 25th September 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Will grew up in Wynnefield neighborhood of West Philadelphia with a loving family. His mother Caroline Bright was an elementary school teacher and his father Willard Carroll Smith Sr. was a refrigeration engineer. Will is the second born in a family that consists of his older sister Pamela and younger twins Ellen and Harry. Will always had a childhood that was full of fun and activities while being heavily disciplined.
Will as a kid exhibited traces of his later personality. Finding it hard to cope with his teachers, they gave him the nickname “Prince” as he had the ability to charm his way out of difficult situations. His combination of charming nature and rapping talent ultimately paved his course.
The Fresh Prince Era
Williams’ career picked off in the late 80s when he entered into a partnership with his childhood friend and mate called Jeffery, also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff. The two would go on to form the hip hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. Their impressive and funny songs, including “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime”, brought them considerable success and led to winning a grammy award, which was the first in rap history.
But with fame came some hardships as well. By 1990 William was struggling with finances due to his tax evasion. Just as things were about to get worse, an opportunity came rolling in. He was offered a lead role by NBC to a new sitcom called `The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Smith became a household name thanks to the sitcom which lasted from 1990 to 1996 and was a huge success, the show was much more than just a sitcom but rather a global staple.
Transition to Film Stardom
After completing six seasons, Will turned himself from the small screen to the big screen. He was very clear about one thing, and it was to be the most popular movie star the world has ever seen. And he lived up to the expectations.
In 1995 film fans saw Will co-star with Martin Lawrence in the action comedy flick, Bad Boys. A year later, proved his superstar status with the movie Independence Day (1996) which went on to become one of the best films in the period. Then came Men in Black (1997), where in the movie, he starred as Agent J alongside Tommy Lee Jones and again, excelled on the box office.
His action, comedy, and charm were key factors that made him big among the fans. All through the years, he kept entertaining audiences with hit movies like Enemy of the State in 1998, Ali in 2001, The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), and I Am Legend in 2007. The characters depicted his range nearly perfectly, from being a famed boxer to a broke dad to the only human alive.
A Career Beyond Amazing
Will Smith is not merely an actor, rather he is an institution in himself. He has appeared in eight consecutive films that grossed over a hundred million dollars in the United States. His films worldwide revenue at the global box office now exceeds an extraordinary $6.6 billion as estimated in 2014.
More than the numbers Will’s portrayal of the characters has been appreciated by the elite in Hollywood. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards for the films Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, and has four Grammy Awards under his belt. In fact, in 2007 Newsweek went ahead and called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood.
The man behind the canvas
In spite of his seemingly larger than life persona, Will Smith is very much a simple man. He has three children namely Trey, Jaden and Willow. He married actress Jada Pinkett Smith and together they have, at times been through tumultuous conditions, raised a family with innovation at its core.
What can be stated about Will cannot be stated any more better. He is also a chess fan and can solve Rubik’s Cube in less than a minute. He also knows Spanish fluently. Small details like this make him more relatable to fans.
Controversies and Resilience
Like any public figure, Will has faced his share of controversies. The well-known incident during the 2022 Actor Awards, during which he slapped comedian Chris Rock, became a universal article. Even though the issue turned into an angry and vexed subject, Will gave an open keynote in order to apologize, which is an indication of his readiness to take responsibility. It served as an example that still heroes are people too.
Beyond Acting: Music and Business Ventures
Will’s talents extend beyond acting. He is a rapper and has released a number of albums, including the famous “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Just the Two of Us”. His music career itself, characterized as clean and positive, was distinguished in the hip hop scene.
Beside the entertainment, Will is also an entrepreneur. He owns a share of the Philadelphia 76ers who play in the National Basketball Association along with being the co-founder of Overbrook Entertainment which is a production firm named after his high school.
Will Smith’s Legacy
It is needless to say that Will Smith exudes his presence, both on screen and in real life given his height of 6’2. He has transitioned from being just the “Fresh Prince” to being globally recognized and has motivated people with his passion, hard work and original personality. Now, whether it’s the movies, the music, or the memes, there is no denying that Will Smith has influenced popularity.
He himself said and in his manner Will Smith has poignantly demonstrated it, “The first step is you have to say that you can.”
