What Family Was Will Smith Born in to?

1 of 17

Will Smith's Early Life

Will (Willard) Smith Senior Twelvemonth 1986

Credit: Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

"West Philadelphia born and raised" was, in fact, where Volition Smith spent virtually of his days. The Pennsylvania native was born on Sept. 25, 1968 to dad Willard Carroll Smith Sr. and mom Caroline Bright and has an older sister named Pamela and younger twin siblings named Harry and Ellen.

Growing up, Smith had a complicated relationship with his father, penning in his 2021 memoir nigh a specific time he witnessed his father abuse his female parent at age 9.

"That moment in that sleeping accommodation, probably more than any other moment in my life, has defined who I am," wrote Smith.

Advertising

2 of 17

Will Smith's First in Music

DJ_Jazzy_Jeff_-_Fresh_Prince_013.jpg

Credit: Michael Ochs Athenaeum/Getty

Smith first gained recognition in the earth of hip hop as the MC of duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes was a childhood friend of Smith's since 1985. The two met coincidentally at a neighborhood house political party, where Townes was DJing and Smith voluntarily filled in for his hype man who didn't show.

There was instant chemistry, prompting the duo to bring together forces, and ultimately leading them to piece of work with rap mogul Russel Simmons and Jive Records.

three of 17

Will Smith's Commencement Grammy Honor

LOS ANGELES - Feb 21: The 32nd Almanac Grammy Awards, presented at Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles. Broadcast on CBS television on Feb 21, 1990. An event recognizing the achievements and talents of singers, musicians, and music industry persons. Pictured left to right: Rapper Will Smith and hip hop artist DJ Jazzy Jeff

Credit: CBS via Getty

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince quickly rose to fame, gaining much success in the late 1980s and 1990s.

They made Grammy Honor history in 1989, winning the showtime e'er best rap performance by a duo or group honor for their rails "Parents Just Don't Understand."

The duo snagged the honor again in 1991 for their Billboard Hot 100 hit single "Summertime," earning them their 2d Grammy Award.

4 of 17

Will Smith's Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Days

Image

Credit: Chris Cuffaio/NBCU/Getty

Post-obit his musical achievements, Smith was tapped by NBC to star in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990.

Smith played a fictionalized version of himself on the hit sitcom, a breakthrough role that launched his acting career. He likewise wrote and recorded the famed theme song nether his "Fresh Prince" phase name aslope DJ Jazzy Jeff who produced information technology.

The prove ran for half dozen seasons and wrapped in 1996.

5 of 17

Volition Smith'due south Breakthrough in Motion-picture show

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Credit: Everett

6 of 17

Volition Smith'south Union to Sheree Zampino

Will Smith and Sheree Campino at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California

Credit: Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Smith wed Sheree Zampino in 1992, and the couple had a son named Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith 3 that aforementioned year. The ii later divorced in 1995.

The actor confessed in his memoir that his relationship with Zampino did non beginning out smoothly, especially since he "fell in honey" with Sixth Degrees of Separation costar Stockard Channing.

"After the film wrapped, Sheree and Trey and I moved back to L.A," wrote Smith. "Our marriage was off to a rocky starting time. I plant myself desperately yearning to meet and speak to Stockard."

Advertising

7 of 17

Will Smith'due south Marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith

Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

8 of 17

Will Smith'due south Men in Blackness Success

Will Smith in Men In Black

Credit: Columbia/Everett

Wasting no fourth dimension, Smith took on the office of Amanuensis J. in 1997's Men in Blackness alongside Tommy Lee Jones in what became the 3rd highest grossing motion picture that year.

He reprised his character in both of its sequels, Men in Black II and Men in Black 3.

9 of 17

Will Smith'southward Solo Grammy Wins

Will Smith holds his Grammy Honour 25 February in New York. Smith won best Rap Solo Performance for "Men In Black."

Credit: MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty

Smith pursued a solo rap career following the success of his titular rap for Men in Black, which was also included on his debut solo album Big Willie Style in 1997.

Non but did Smith'due south "Men in Black" win the Grammy Laurels for best rap solo functioning in 1998, but his single "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" also won in 1999 (and became his first No. i hitting on the Billboard Hot 100).

Advertizing

10 of 17

Will Smith's Part as Muhammad Ali

Will Smith Ali

Credit: Frank Connor/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

The actor took on the role of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in 2001'due south biopic Ali.

Smith physically and mentally transformed into the heavyweight champion, deemed "the greatest of all time," and received an Academy Award nomination for All-time Actor and the Gold World Award for best thespian in a move movie drama.

"The champ looked at me and gave me the nod that I did a good job," Smith said of Ali during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. "I worked equally hard as I could possibly have worked."

11 of 17

Will Smith'southward Guinness Book of World Record Titles

Player Will Smith poses with his certificate for breaking the Guinness World Record for the most public appearances in unlike cities in 12 hours (having likewise appeared at Premieres in Birmingham and Manchester) at the "Hitch" Britain Premiere at Odeon Leicester Foursquare on February 22, 2005 in London.

Credit: MJ Kim/Getty

12 of 17

Volition Smith's Role in The Pursuit of Happyness With Son Jaden

THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, Jaden Smith, Will Smith, 2006.©Columbia Pictures/courtesy Everett Collect

Credit: Everett

Smith starred aslope son Jaden in 2006'southward biographical drama The Pursuit of Happyness, a movie that explores the real-life rags-to-riches story of successful businessman Chris Gardner.

Smith plays Gardner, a unmarried father who raises his son (played by Jaden) in a poverty-stricken state in the hopes of creating a improve life for them both.

Advertizement

13 of 17

Will Smith'due south Honor at TCL Chinese Theatre

Actor Volition Smith puts his easily in cement in the forecourt of Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles

Credit: Chris Pizzello/Reuters

Smith received the laurels of getting his handprint and footprint cemented in the ground exterior of TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on Dec. 10, 2007.

"I am humbled, I am honored, and my heart is just beating right now," said Smith in his speech communication during the ceremony. "I'chiliad going to do everything that I can do with my life, and instructing my family and my friends to make this globe a better place."

Advert

14 of 17

Will Smith's FIFA 2018 Earth Cup Song

Will Smith during the endmost anniversary prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Credit: Splash News Online

Smith had the laurels of performing the official song for the 2018'southward FIFA Globe Loving cup in Russia aslope Reggaeton star Nicky Jam.

"It'due south an accolade to be asked to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup," Smith said in a argument. "This global event brings people from all over the world together to cheer, laugh and experience magic."

15 of 17

Will Smith'south Role as Genie in Aladdin

genie3

Credit: Disney

In the 2019 live-action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin, Smith took on the iconic office of the Genie.

The film became Smith's highest-grossing film, surpassing 1996's Independence Day.

16 of 17

Volition Smith's Memoir Release

Will Smith holds a copy of his volume during an event promoting his new memoir "Will," in Philadelphia People Volition Smith, Philadelphia, Us - 08 November 2021

Credit: Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock

In Nov 2021, Smith wrote a memoir titled Will with the help of acclaimed author Mark Manson.

The book details Smith's life transformation, "from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest rap stars of his era and then one of the biggest moving picture stars in Hollywood history."

17 of 17

Volition Smith's King Richard Success

KING RICHARD

Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures