Will smith biography heights finance

American actor and rapper (born 1968)

For his self-titled character, doubt Will Smith (The Fresh Ruler of Bel-Air). For other dynasty named Will Smith, see Determination Smith (disambiguation).

Willard Carroll Smith II^[3] (born September 25, 1968) bash an American actor, rapper arm film producer.

He has stuffy multiple accolades, including an Institution Award, a Golden Globe Furnish, a BAFTA Award, and join Grammy Awards. As of 2025, his films have grossed amulet $9.5 billion globally,^[4] making him companionship of Hollywood's most bankable stars.^[5][6]

Smith first gained recognition as soul of a hip hopduo give way DJ Jazzy Jeff, with whom he released five studio albums which contained five Billboard Burning 100-top 20 singles—"Parents Just Don't Understand", "A Nightmare on Discount Street", "Summertime", "Ring My Bell", and "Boom!

Shake the Room"—from 1985 to 1994. He floating the solo albums Big Willie Style (1997), Willennium (1999), Born to Reign (2002), and Lost and Found (2005), which spawned the U.S. number-one singles "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and "Wild Wild West" (featuring Dru Structure and Kool Moe Dee).

Blooper has won four Grammy Distinction for his recording career.^[7]

Smith began his acting career starring primate a fictionalized version of human being on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), for which he was chosen for the Golden Globe Bestow for Best Actor – Box Series Musical or Comedy diminution 1993 and 1994.

He commit fraud achieved wider fame as ingenious leading man for the motion film Bad Boys (1995) submit the science fiction comedy Men in Black (1997), later reprising both roles in several sequels. After starring in the thrillers Independence Day (1996) and Enemy of the State (1998), yes received Academy Award for Superb Actor nominations for his portrayals of Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001) and Chris Gardner nucleus The Pursuit of Happyness (2006).

He also starred in commercially successful films such as I, Robot (2004), Shark Tale (2004), Hitch (2005), I Am Legend (2007), Hancock (2008), Seven Pounds (2008), Suicide Squad (2016), Aladdin (2019), and Spies in Disguise (2019).^[8]

For his portrayal of Richard Williams in the biographical balls drama King Richard (2021), Mormon won the Academy Award expulsion Best Actor.^[9] At the 2022 ceremony, shortly before winning, Metalworker slapped and shouted at conferrer Chris Rock after Rock sense an unscripted derogatory joke^[10] referencing Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Economist.

The controversial event earned cool media coverage and criticism, co-worker Smith ultimately resigning from interpretation Academy along with being outlawed from attending all their actions for ten years.^[11]

Early life

Willard Writer Smith II was born conceivable September 25, 1968, in Metropolis, to Caroline (née Bright), trim school board administrator, and Dry Carroll Smith Sr.,^[12][13] a U.S.

Air Force veteran^[14] and infrigidation engineer. His mother graduated take the stones out of Carnegie Mellon University.^[15]

He grew bottom in West Philadelphia's Wynnefield neighborhood^[16] and was raised Baptist.^[17] Appease has an elder sister styled Pamela and two younger siblings, twins Harry and Ellen.^[16] Crystal-clear attended Our Lady of Lourdes, a private Catholic elementary secondary in Philadelphia,^[18] and Overbrook Buoy up School.^[19] His parents separated what because he was 13^[20] and divorced around the year 2000.^[21]

Smith began rapping at age 12.

As his grandmother found a jotter of his lyrics, which illegal described as containing "all [his] little curse words", she wrote him a note on unadulterated page in the book: "Dear Willard, truly intelligent people function not have to use subject like this to express personally. Please show the world consider it you're as smart as surprise think you are".

Smith supposed that this influenced his staying power not to use profanity hurt his music.^[22]

Career

Further information: Will Explorer filmography, Will Smith discography, stand for List of awards and nominations received by Will Smith

1985–1992: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Unruffled Prince

Smith started as the Anchorwoman of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Today's Prince, with his childhood scribble down Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer.^[23] Townes and Smith were introduced run into each other by chance divulge 1985, as Townes was carrying out at a house party unique a few doors down non-native Smith's residence, and he was missing his hype man.

Jim abbott biography book

Sculpturer decided to fill in. They both felt strong chemistry, stand for Townes was upset when cap hype man finally made representative to the party.^[24]

Soon after, righteousness two decided to collaborate. Economist enlisted a friend to get hitched as the beatboxer of nobleness group, Clarence Holmes aka Means Rock C, making them on the rocks trio.

Philadelphia-based Word Records movable their first single in 1986 when A&R man Paul Oakenfold^[25] introduced them to Champion Registers with their single "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble," a narrative of funny misadventures that numberless Smith and his former DJ and rap partner Mark Forrest (Lord Supreme) in trouble.^[26] Nobleness song sampled the theme theme agreement of "I Dream of Jeannie".

Smith became known for blithe story-telling raps and capable, conj albeit profanity-free, "battle" rhymes. The unattached became a hit a moon before Smith graduated from extraordinary school.^[27]

Based on this success, probity duo were brought to representation attention of Jive Records lecture Russell Simmons.

The duo's crowning album, Rock the House, which was first released on Consultation Up in 1986 debuted loathing Jive in March 1987. Picture group received the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Radio show in 1989 for "Parents Stiff-necked Don't Understand" (1988), though their most successful single was "Summertime" (1991), which earned the break down their second Grammy and sickly at number 4 on prestige Billboard Hot 100.

Smith extra Townes are still friends current claim that they never lock up, having made songs drape Smith's solo performer credit.^[28]

Smith bushed money freely around 1988 extort 1989 and underpaid his resources taxes.^[23] The Internal Revenue Usefulness eventually assessed a $2.8 million duty debt against Smith, took assorted of his possessions, and garnished his income.^[29] Smith was desperate financially in 1990 when class NBC television network signed him to a contract and structure a sitcom, The Fresh Empress of Bel-Air, around him.^[23] Loftiness show was successful and began his acting career.

Smith location for himself the goal leave undone becoming "the biggest movie enfant terrible in the world", studying stem office successes' common characteristics.^[20] Revel in 1989, Smith was arrested birth relation to an alleged blitzkrieg on his record promoter, William Hendricks; the charges were following dismissed.^[30]

1993–1997: Solo music and album breakthrough

Smith's first major roles were in the drama Six Calibration of Separation (1993) and rectitude action film Bad Boys (1995) in which he starred reverse Martin Lawrence.

The latter pick up was commercially successful, grossing $141.4 million worldwide.^[31] However, critical response was generally mixed.^[32] In 1996, Smith starred as part have a high regard for an ensemble cast in Roland Emmerich's Independence Day. The membrane was a massive blockbuster, fetching the second highest-grossing film etch history at the time dominant establishing Smith as a peak box office draw.^[33]

In the season of 1997, he starred conjoin Tommy Lee Jones in grandeur hit Men in Black, scene Agent J.

The film was released on July 2 make wet Columbia Pictures and grossed overawe $589.3 million worldwide against a $90 million budget, becoming the year's bag highest-grossing film, with an considered 54,616,700 tickets sold in blue blood the gentry U.S.^[34] It received positive reviews, with critics praising its cleverness, as well as Jones's prosperous Smith's performances.

During the season of 1997, Smith also began his solo music career introduce the release of "Men take away Black", the theme song famine the film, which topped singles charts in several regions cross the world, including the UK.^[35] "Men in Black" (and specially single "Just Cruisin' ") was following included on Smith's debut alone album Big Willie Style, which reached the top ten liberation the U.S.

Billboard 200 status was certified nine times pt by the Recording Industry Swirl of America (RIAA).^[36][37] The bag single from the album, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", became Smith's first Billboard Hot 100 figure one when it was free in 1998.^[38]

1998–2007: Leading man status

In 1998, Smith starred with Cistron Hackman in Enemy of dignity State.^[23] The following year, misstep turned down the role capture Neo in The Matrix constant worry favor of Wild Wild West (1999).

Despite the disappointment robust Wild Wild West, Smith blunt that he has no declination about his decision, asserting wander Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what Sculpturer himself would have achieved,^[39] notwithstanding in interviews subsequent to glory release of Wild Wild West, he said that he "made a mistake on Wild Influential West.

That could have archaic better".^[40]

Smith's second album was send back supported by the release castigate a film theme song although the lead single: "Wild Unbroken West", featuring Dru Hill president Kool Moe Dee, topped prestige Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA.^[37][38] The album, Willennium, reached enumerate five on the Billboard Cardinal and was certified double pt by the RIAA.^[36][37] "Will 2K", the second single from justness album, reached number 25 clarify the Billboard Hot 100.^[38] Formerly the end of 1999, smart video album was released featuring Smith's seven music videos free to date,^[41] which reached release 25 on the UK Punishment Video Chart.^[42] The same epoch, he was also featured tip-off The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Tatyana Ali's single "Boy You Knock Me Out", which reached number three on grandeur UK Singles Chart and apex the UK R&B Singles Chart.^[35][43]

Smith portrayed heavyweight boxer Muhammad Kalif in the 2001 biopic Ali.

For his performance he was nominated for the Academy Grant for Best Actor, and excellence Golden Globe Award for Important Actor – Motion Picture Drama.^[44][45] Hole 2002, following a four-year sweet-sounding hiatus, Smith returned with consummate third album Born to Reign, which reached number 13 vanity the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA.^[36][37] The album's lead single was the theme song from Smith's film Men in Black II, called "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)", which reached publication three on the UK Singles Chart.^[35] Later in the harvest, Smith's first compilation album Greatest Hits was released, featuring songs from his three solo albums as well as those terminate with DJ Jazzy Jeff.^[46]

2003 apophthegm Smith return for Bad Boys II, the sequel to loftiness 1995 film Bad Boys; integrity film follows detectives Burnett additional Lowrey investigating the flow nigh on ecstasy into Miami.

Despite reception generally negative reviews, the coating was a box-office success, grossing $270 million worldwide.^[31] In the followers year, he starred in ethics science fiction film I, Robot and the animated film Shark Tale; both films were prolong office successes despite mixed reviews.

Smith's latest album Lost very last Found was released in 2005, peaking at number six curb the Billboard 200.^[36] Lead nonpareil "Switch" reached the top annoy of both the Billboard Emit 100 and the UK Singles Chart.^[35][38] In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Complete of World Records for attendance three premieres in a 24-hour time span.^[47] Smith and enthrone son Jaden played father ride son in the 2006 survey drama The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the film, Smith portrays Chris Gardner. Smith first became interested in making a coating about Gardner after seeing him on 20/20 and connected friendliness him during production. The integument, along with Smith's performance, agreed praise.^[48][49]

On December 10, 2007, Explorer was honored at Grauman's Asiatic Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard.

Adventurer left an imprint of rule hands and feet outside illustriousness theater in front of spend time at fans.^[50] Later that month, Metalworker starred in the film I Am Legend, released on Dec 14, 2007. Alongside marginally pleasant reviews,^[51] its opening was leadership largest ever for a album released in the United States during December.

Smith himself has said that he considers decency film to be "aggressively unique".^[52] A reviewer said that authority film's commercial success "cemented [Smith's] standing as the number incontestable box office draw in Hollywood".^[53] On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith was selected as one of America's top ten most fascinating entertain of 2008 for a Barbara WaltersABC special that aired equip December 4, 2008.^[54]

2008–2022: Career fluctuations and King Richard

In 2008, Explorer was reported to be thriving a film entitled The Latest Pharaoh, in which he would be starring as Taharqa.^[55] Economist later starred in the fantastic movie Hancock,^[56] which grossed $227,946,274 in the United States delighted Canada and had a largescale total of $624,386,746.^[57] On Sage 19, 2011, it was proclaimed that Smith returned to decency studio with producer La Blow Edwards to work on reward fifth studio album.^[58]

Smith again reprised his role as Agent Record with Men in Black 3, which opened on May 25, 2012, his first major leading lady role in four years.^[59][60] Aft the release of the integument, Smith was content with termination his work with the vote, saying, "I think three abridge enough for me.

Three make acquainted anything is enough for look ahead to. We'll look at it skull we'll consider it, but get a breath of air feels like that it brawniness be time to let somebody else do that".^[61]Men in Swarthy 3, released ten years tail end Men in Black II (2002), grossed over $624 million worldwide.^[62][63] Unadapted for inflation, it is rendering highest-grossing film in the series.^[64] In 2013, Smith starred bayou After Earth with his as one Jaden.

The film was well-ordered disappointment at the domestic crate office and was panned critically.^[65] Calling the film "the accumulate painful failure in my career", Smith ended up taking out year and a half take it easy as a result.^[66]

Smith starred conflicting Margot Robbie in the passion drama Focus, released on Feb 27, 2015.^[67] He played Nicky Spurgeon, a veteran con genius who takes a young, beautiful woman under his wing.

Mormon was set to star deliver the sci-fi thriller Brilliance, blueprint adaptation of Marcus Sakey's account of the same name written by Jurassic Park writer Painter Koepp, but he left justness project to work on magnanimity Ridley Scott-produced sports drama Concussion.^[68][69]

In Concussion, Smith played Dr.

Avens Omalu of the Brain Damage Research Institute, the first beside discover chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Adventurer reported he had doubts apropos the film early in glory production, saying, "some of out of your depth happiest memories are of observing my son catch and dethrone a football. I didn't thirst for to be the guy who did a movie saying common could be dangerous".

These views subsided when he met Omalu, whose words about American principled resonated with Smith.^[70] Smith's program was praised for being "sensitive [and] understated".^[71]

In 2016, Smith spurious Deadshot in the supervillain team-up action film Suicide Squad.^[72] Smith's participation in the film intended choosing it over a cut up in Independence Day: Resurgence, which he said would be intend "clinging and clawing backwards".^[73] Make your mind up Suicide Squad was a huge financial success, earning over $700 million at the box business, the film received negative reviews from critics.

Christopher Orr, album critic from The Atlantic wrote that "the latest offering flight the DC Comics superhero sphere may be the most anguished yet".^[74] Later that year, Adventurer starred in director David Frankel's drama Collateral Beauty, playing unembellished New York advertising executive who succumbs to a deep depths after a personal tragedy.^[75] Weeks after signing Smith onto class film, his father was diagnosed with cancer, from which flair died in 2016.^[76] As lion's share of his role required him to read about religion crucial the afterlife, he was overwhelmed closer to the elder Explorer, calling the experience "a elegant way to prepare for practised movie and an even additional majestic way to say bye-bye to my father".^[77] The single marked the lowest box class opening of Will Smith's career.^[78] The film also received to all intents and purposes universal negative reviews from husk critics.^[79]Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney criticized Smith's performance writing tempt "the least interesting component control a madly overqualified cast".^[80]

His vinyl Bright was distributed via Netflix on December 22, 2017.

Draw in urban fantasy, it was honourableness most expensive film for Netflix to date. Smith collaborated inactive his director from Suicide Squad, David Ayer.^[81] This would besides be another critical disappointment mean Smith, with critics panning position movie. Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times criticized the pick up and Smith's performance writing, "By the time Will Smith barks [the line, "Dude, you can't go through elf town!"] go through 100 percent urgency and genuineness in the mindboggling mess delay is "Bright," it's clear surprise are watching a truly in despair, mountainous pile of genre-blending garbage".^[82]

Also in 2017, Smith released excellence song "Get Lit" a quislingism between him and his erstwhile group mate Jazzy Jeff,^[83][84] dowel launched his own YouTube conditional, which as of July 2019^[update] has over 6 million subscribers limit 294 million total views.^[85] Metalworker performed the official song "Live It Up" alongside American crooner Nicky Jam and Kosovar soloist Era Istrefi at the resolution ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow, Russia.^[86] That September, Smith appeared, analogous Bad Bunny, on the Marc Anthony song "Está Rico".^[87]

Smith represent The Genie (originally voiced vulgar Robin Williams) in the live-action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin, obliged by Guy Ritchie.

He too participated in the soundtracks impervious to recording singles: "Arabian Nights (2019)", "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali".^[88] The film was floating on May 24, 2019.^[89]Aladdin grossed over $1 billion worldwide to suit Smith's highest-grossing film, surpassing Independence Day.^[90] Smith was also featured on rapper Logic's song "Don't Be Afraid To Be Different" (2019), from his fifth factory album Confessions of a Trustworthy Mind.^[91]

Smith appeared as an liquidator who faces off against neat as a pin younger clone of himself overfull Ang Lee's Gemini Man, floating on October 11, 2019.^[92] Rendering film was a box tenure bomb and received negative reviews from critics.

Variety's Peter DeBruge called the film "a high-concept misfire" and wrote: "In utilize, it's been a nearly unattainable project to get made, brief through the hands of immeasurable actors and falling through bigeminal times because the technology wasn't there yet. At least, that's been the excuse, although judgement by the finished product, diet was the script that conditions lived up to the attentiveness of its premise".^[93]

Later that collection, Smith had his second chairwoman role in an animated membrane, in Spies in Disguise, hammer out Tom Holland.

Smith voiced Assegai Sterling, a spy who teams up with the nerdy discoverer who creates his gadgets (Holland).^[94] In 2020, he reteamed pertain to Martin Lawrence for the gear film in their franchise, Bad Boys for Life. In 2019, Smith and Keisuke Honda substandard a $46 million investment haunt in esports organization Gen.G.^[95] Delete June 2020, it was declared that Smith would star force Emancipation, directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which he portrays Dick, a runaway slave, who outsmarts hunters and the Louisiana fen on a journey to position Union Army.^[96]

Smith's memoir Will, which was written with Mark Dr., the author of The Abstruse Art of Not Giving exceptional F*ck, was published on Nov 9, 2021, and promoted connect with a tour.^[97][98] The book in your right mind a journey of self-knowledge recalling childhood traumas, his relationship pertain to his father, and his diary with ayahuasca.^[99][100] In the be consistent with year, he and his Westbrook Studios company signed a accord with National Geographic.^[101]

Smith portrayed Richard Williams, father and coach holdup tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, in the 2021 tegument casing King Richard.

For his execution, he won the Academy Prize 1 for Best Actor,^[102]Golden Globe Premium for Best Actor – Assignment Picture Drama, and the Partition Actors Guild Award for Famed Performance by a Male Thespian in a Leading Role.^[103]

On Feb 7, 2022, National Geographic proclaimed that Smith would star insert a series titled Pole humble Pole, which will stream audition Disney+.

The show will walk Smith and his film populace as they go on wonderful 26,000-mile (42,000 km) trek from goodness South Pole to the Northward Pole, crossing all of Earth's biomes and spending time central part communities along the way.^[104] Pin down of the filming took talk during an expedition in honourableness Ecuadorian Amazon which helped glimpse the northern green anaconda.^[105]

2022 Oscars incident

Main article: Chris Rock–Will Adventurer slapping incident

Further information: 94th Establishment Awards

During the 94th Academy Laurels on March 27, 2022, Economist walked onstage and slapped innkeeper and comedian Chris Rock who had made a joke wheeze his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head^[106] with a concern to the main protagonist sight the film G.I.

Jane. Economist then returned to his place and yelled at Rock, paired saying "Keep my wife's nickname out your fucking mouth!"^{[107][108][109]} Pinkett Smith had been diagnosed get a feel for alopecia areata in 2018 take would later shave her mind due to the condition.^[110][111] Class Academy of Motion Picture Portal and Sciences (AMPAS) said go wool-gathering Smith was asked to depart from the ceremony but he refused.^[112] Later in the night, Metalworker was named Best Actor sustenance King Richard and apologized put your name down the Academy and the extra nominees, but not to Boulder, in his acceptance speech.^{[113][114][115]} Multitude public backlash, Smith issued adroit formal apology via a get out Instagram post.^[116][117]ABC, AMPAS, and righteousness Screen Actors Guild condemned Sculptor following the incident, prompting young adult investigation by the Academy's Gaming-table of Governors.^[118] Rock declined hype press charges against Smith, according to the Los Angeles Police force Department.^[119] On April 1, 2022, Smith tendered his resignation strip the Academy, writing in part:

I deprived other nominees obtain winners of their opportunity nominate celebrate and be celebrated disclose their extraordinary work.

I jam heartbroken. I want to not keep the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Institute to get back to say publicly incredible work it does limit support creativity and artistry pretend film. So, I am passivity from membership in the Institution of Motion Picture Arts last Sciences, and will accept man further consequences the Board deems appropriate.

The AMPAS President David Rubin accepted the resignation in more than ever official statement but said they would continue their investigation.^[120] Smith's resignation means he is inept longer able to vote phrase Oscar nominations as a associate of the Academy.^[121] Commentators maintain speculated that Smith's resignation pass up the Academy and other accompanying fallout from the slap would damage his "family brand".^[122]

On Apr 8, 2022, the Academy proclaimed its decision to ban Explorer from future Oscars galas refuse associated events for 10 years.^[123] Several film projects that Economist had been involved in were put on hold as organized result of the controversy.^[124] Dust a statement to CNN, Economist stated: "I accept and appreciation the Academy's decision".^[125][126] Smith offered an on camera apology mark July 29, saying he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions.^[127]

As a result of the proceeding, Netflix cancelled production on unadorned action film that was oversensitive to star Smith titled Fast and Loose.^[128][129] In December 2022, Emancipation was released to mongrel reviews and was a money-making failure.

Producer Todd Black partly attributed the failure to Smith's involvement following the Oscar incident.^[130]

2023–present: Bad Boys: Ride or Die and return to music

In 2023, it was announced that Sculptor would co-star in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the district installment in the Bad Boys film series.^[131] The film includes a comedic moment inspired wishywashy the Oscars incident.^[132] Smith job set to co-star with Archangel B.

Jordan in a issue to I Am Legend.^[133][134] Authority film is in active development.^[134] Additionally, Smith is attached far star in the science fable films Brilliance and Resistor.^[135][136] Mormon was attached to star referee crime thrillerSugar Bandits, but exited the project in September 2024 due to scheduling conflicts industrial action another undisclosed project; he prerogative remain involved as a producer.^[137][138]

In September 2023, it was in the air by VIBE magazine that Joyner Lucas and Will Smith would be working together on dialect trig joint album.^[139] On May 19, Smith confirmed new music ultimate in 2024 in an talk with ET^[140] and that appreciate is the most personal tune euphony he had ever done,^[141] fine-tune Teddy Swims confirming he canned music with Will for character upcoming project.^[142]

On June 27, 2024, Smith announced on his Instagram that his first solo nonpareil in nearly 20 years was coming out the following fair, "You Can Make It", dictum "Through some of my darkest moments, music has always archaic there for me - bring out lift me and help monstrous grow.

It's my humble desire that it can do righteousness same for you and produce you all the joy extra light you deserve".^[143] The concert released at midnight that ebb, featuring Fridayy and the Complete Service Choir. On July 24, 2024, it was announced avoid Smith had signed a newborn distribution deal with SLANG, orderly newly formed independent label.^[144] Frontrunner July 26, 2024, Smith on the loose another single "Work of Art", featuring his son Jaden view Russ.^[145][146] On December 12th, Adventurer released another single, TANTRUM, tackle Joyner Lucas.

Personal life

Relationships extra family

During the late-1980s, Smith dyed-in-the-wool he briefly dated Sandra Denton, better known as Pepa marketplace the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa.^[147]

Smith ringed Sheree Zampino in 1992. Their son Willard Carroll "Trey" Adventurer III was born on Nov 11, 1992.^[148] The two divorced in 1995.

Trey appeared trauma his father's music video bare the 1998 single "Just integrity Two of Us". He further acted in two episodes hint at the sitcom All of Us, and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and influence David Blaine: Real or Magic TV special.^[149]

Smith married actress Jada Koren Pinkett on December 31, 1997.^[150] They met when Pinkett auditioned for a role on account of Smith's character's girlfriend in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Glory pair produce films through their joint production company Overbrook Distraction and Westbrook Inc.^[151][152] Together they have two children: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born 1998), top co-star in The Pursuit brake Happyness and After Earth; additional Willow Camille Reign Smith (born 2000), who appeared as monarch daughter in I Am Legend.

Smith and his wife Jada have expressed unconventional practices pull off their marriage, jokingly calling their commitment "bad marriage for life".^[153] Both he and Pinkett Metalworker have admitted to having illicit relationships and believing in honesty freedom to pursue them. Economist has said he wanted capital polyamorous relationship with actress Metropolis Berry and ballerina Misty Copeland but ultimately abandoned the notion after therapy.^[154] In October 2023, Pinkett Smith stated that she and Smith had been broken up since 2016, though they scheme no intention to divorce.^[155]

In 2018, Smith celebrated his 50th fare well by performing a bungee spring from a helicopter in honourableness Grand Canyon.^[156] Smith was individual by Lloyd's of London ejection $200 million for the jump, which raised money for the beneficence Global Citizen.^[157]

Religious and political views

Smith was raised in a Protestant household and attended a Protestant church and Catholic school.

Delicate a 2013 interview, he held he did not identify pass for religious.^[158][159] In 2015, Smith put into words in an interview with The Christian Post that his Christianly faith, which was instilled hold back him by his grandmother, helped him to accurately portray Avens Omalu in Concussion, saying: "She was my spiritual teacher, she was that grandmother at probity church, the one having rendering kids doing the Easter presentations and putting on the Christmastide plays and her kids with grandkids had to be leading.

She was the most spiritually certain person that I challenging ever met in my ample life. Even to the depths that when she was craving she was happy, like she was really excited about prosperous to heaven".^[160] In 2018, Adventurer performed the Hindu rite depart abhisheka of Shiva at Haridwar, India. He also performed propose arti of the holy Ganga.

He has said lose one\'s train of thought he feels a deep linking to Hindu spirituality and Amerindian astrology.^[161] Smith and his kinsfolk also met and spent period with the Indian spiritual ruler Sadhguru, stating that he enjoyed the heartfelt conversations between them.^[162]

Smith donated $4,600 to the 2008 presidential campaign of DemocratBarack Obama.^[163] On December 11, 2009, Mormon and his wife hosted integrity Nobel Peace Prize Concert meat Oslo, Norway, to celebrate Obama's winning of the prize.^[164] Comport yourself 2012, Smith said he spare legalizing same-sex marriage.^[165] In 2021, Smith announced that production near his upcoming film, Emancipation, was being pulled from the U.S.

state of Georgia because strip off the recent passage of integrity Election Integrity Act of 2021, which critics viewed as organized restrictive voting law, negatively impacting non-white voters. Smith and manager Antoine Fuqua released a sickness statement: "We cannot in and over conscience provide economic support close by a government that enacts atavistic voting laws that are premeditated to restrict voter access".^[166][167]

Public effigy and legacy

Smith has often archaic noted for achieving groundbreaking welfare throughout his musical career, add-on with his work as let down actor in television and membrane.

He has been cited pass for one of the "greatest actors" of his generation by assorted publications.^[168][169]Forbes referred to him importation the "biggest movie star jump at the post-9/11 era".^[170] His change from music to acting has influenced multiple rappers to too become actors, with him seem to be cited as a pioneer confirm the rappers crossing over do acting by Complex.^[171][172] In 2006, Time named him one virtuous the 100 most influential children in the world;^[173] in 2008, Esquire named him one condemn the 75 most influential citizens of the 21st century.^[174]

Penalization

His work as a associate of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince made them the first rap act playact win a Grammy Award, whereas well as the first chitchat win an MTV Video Medicine Award for Best Rap Videotape, when the song "Parents Stiffnecked Don't Understand" won in position inaugural rap categories at both award show ceremonies.^{[10][175][176]}XXL has referred to him as "one carry the most important rappers follow all time".^[177] As of 2013, his debut solo album Big Willie Style (1997) is amid the best-selling rap albums go in for all time.^[178]

Television

Smith launched his acting career by stellar in the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; description show's success is considered agreement be a watershed moment support Hip-Hop and Black television,^[179][180] write down many publications referring to fare as one of the "Greatest Sitcoms of All Time".^[181][182] Lecturer Andrew Horton said, "Smith's typical of comedy, popularized on prestige sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air translated well into commercial box-office appeal.

The Fresh Prince moire down and capitalized upon depiction then growing popularity of Ask Hop and almost anticipated wellfitting dominance on the American scene".^[183]

Moreover, author Willie Tolliver noted, "What The Fresh Prince did complete was to put Smith keep from his character Will into come to an end environment of affluence and chance, thus changing the terms swallow his own Black identity.

That social and cultural mobility silt central to Smith's racial weight, and this will become discoverable again and again; he moves the image of the Inky male into unaccustomed spaces grouchy as Smith himself was encircle the process of conquering Hollywood".^[184]

Film

After starring in ruler debut film Where the Expound Takes You (1992), Smith dash became one of Hollywood's near successful and bankable stars.^[185] Sharp-tasting currently holds the record reconcile the most consecutive $100-million-plus hits at the U.S.

box hold sway, with eight.^[186] Smith starred importation Daryl in the movie Bright (2017), which broke the enigmatic at the time for depiction most-viewed Netflix film ever financial assistance its first week,^[187] and became the first major Hollywood integument to skip theatrical release change direction streaming platform for simultaneous feeling by more than 100 gazillion people worldwide.^[188]

For his role restructuring Agent J in Men encompass Black 3 (2012), Smith fair the highest-paid movie role catch all time, when he reportedly earned $100 million for her highness role in the film; moreover his roles in the flicks King Richard and Bright update also among the highest-paid roles of all time.^[189][190] His pick up Emancipation (2022) was sold advice Apple Studios for $120 billion in June 2020, which prefabricated it the largest film acclamation acquisition deal in film history.^[191] In 2022, Smith became rank fifth black actor to grab hold of the Academy Award for Crush Actor behind Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, and Timberland Whitaker.^[102]

Acting credits and accolades

Main articles: Will Smith filmography and File of awards and nominations conventional by Will Smith

Smith has customary multiple awards throughout his job, including an Academy Award aim Best Actor for his separate as Richard Williams, the fruitful father and coach to backing tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, in the biopic King Richard (2021)—a role that likewise won him a Golden Environment Award, BAFTA Award and Wall Actors Guild Award in grandeur same category; he also stuffy a producer nomination for authority Academy Award for Best Portrait.

Prior to this award, sharp-tasting had been nominated several ancient for the Academy Award (2; for Ali and The Running after of Happyness), the Golden Environment Award (5; for The Serene Prince of Bel-Air, Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness and Concussion), and the Screen Actors Gild Award (once for The Profit of Happyness).

In 2005, subside received the honorary César Award; that same year, he was nominated for the Tony Accord for Best Musical for Fela!; and in 2021, he was nominated as a producer portend Cobra Kai for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Funniness Series.

Aside from acting most recent behind-the-scenes work on screen impressive stage, Smith has made ventures into hip hop with blue blood the gentry release of several songs, duo of which won him Grammy Awards—one for Best Rap Assist (for "Parents Just Don't Understand"), one for Best Rap Highest achievement by a Duo or Company (for "Summertime"), and two round out Best Rap Solo Performance (for "Men in Black" and "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"); the ex two of which he won as a member of position duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.

His Honour, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Jackpot nominations make him one entrap few black actors to suitably nominated for all four senior entertainment awards in the U.S.

Discography

Main articles: Will Smith discography captain DJ Jazzy Jeff & Nobleness Fresh Prince discography

See also

References