Will Smith is a well-known American actor who started out as a rap artist, collaborating with DJ Jazzy Jeff and beat boxer Ready Rock C. He was known as a talented student from ‘Overbrook High School’ in Philadelphia, who chose not to attend college in order to pursue a career in music. He was a Grammy Award winner and a successful performer. At the age of 25, this young man entered the film industry and made his debut in the film ‘Six Degrees of Separation.’ There was no turning back for this gifted young star after that. He established his mettle to the entire globe by appearing in films such as ‘Independence Day,’ ‘I, Robot,’ ‘Enemy of the State,’ and ‘Ali.’ His high-octane performances demonstrated his versatility and hinted that this star was going to stay. Many filmmakers thought the actor was a breath of fresh air who could play emotional roles as well as an action hero. ‘Men in Black,’ a sci-fi comedy, was one of his many excellent pictures that became a smash hit with audiences all over the world. The success of the original film prompted the ‘Men in Black’ sequels, which were praised by both fans and reviewers.
Childhood and Adolescence
Willard Christopher Smith, Jr. was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Willard C. Smith, Sr., a refrigeration company owner, and Caroline, a member of the ‘School Board of Philadelphia.’
He grew up in the Wynnefield neighborhood with his younger siblings Harry and Ellen, as well as his older sister Pamela.
The little youngster was raised as a Baptist at home, but went to a Catholic school called ‘Our Lady of Lourdes’ for his basic schooling. He attended the ‘Overbrook High School’ in Philadelphia after his parents divorced.
Will decided to pursue music as a career rather than go to college after graduating from high school.
Career of Will Smith
At a gathering, Smith met record producer and musician Jeffrey Townes, better known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the two music fans hit it off right away. The wannabe rapper created a duo with DJ Jeff and another friend, beat boxer Ready Rock C, under the moniker “The Fresh Prince.”
After recording the lighthearted tunes ‘Summertime’ and ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand,’ ‘DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’ became fairly successful.
The popular musician got into difficulty with the ‘Internal Revenue Service’ in 1988-89 after paying less tax than was required. Will’s property were seized as a result of unpaid taxes totaling $2.8 million, and he was on the verge of bankruptcy.
In 1990, as the artist was still striving to recover from the financial crisis, NBC hired him for a comedy called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Smith achieved notoriety as an actor as a result of the popularity of the TV show about himself.
Will made his feature film debut in 1993 with the picture Six Degrees of Separation, which also starred Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland. Following the popularity of the film, he was cast in the action film ‘Bad Boys,’ which also starred Martin Lawrence, two years later.
By this time, the outstanding actor had already established a huge following in Hollywood. In 1996, he starred in Roland Emmerich’s film ‘Independence Day,’ directed by the German filmmaker. The film, which starred Bill Pullman and Jeff Goldblum among others, was a box office smash.
The next year, in 1997, Smith was cast in the cult film series ‘Men in Black,’ directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. The actor was cast opposite Tommy Lee Jones in the role of ‘Agent J,’ and he played it to acclaim. The following year, he co-starred alongside veteran Gene Hackman in the smash film ‘Enemy of the State.’
Between 1999 and 2001, the talented actor appeared in films such as ‘Wild Wild West,’ ‘The Legend of Bagger Vance,’ and ‘Ali.’ Will was nominated for an Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’ in the film ‘Ali,’ which was based on boxer Muhammad Ali’s life and career.
He appeared in films such as ‘I, Robot,’ ‘Shark Tale,’ ‘Hitch,’ and ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ throughout the next few years. For his heartbreaking portrayal in ‘Pursuit of Happiness,’ the actor received another ‘Oscar’ nomination.
‘I Am Legend,’ ‘Hancock,’ ‘Seven Pounds,’ ‘After Earth,’ and ‘Winter’s Tale’ are the films in which the outstanding actor has appeared in the last several years, from 2007 to 2014. All of these films have been commercially and critically successful.
Smith recently starred in the film ‘Focus,’ in which he plays the male protagonist opposite Australian actress Margot Robbie, which was released in February 2015. ‘Concussion,’ a film co-starring Alec Baldwin, is set to be released later this year.
Major Projects of Will Smith
This actor is best known for the ‘Men in Black’ film franchise, which has grossed around $620,130,196 at the box office. Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith star as agents of an organization that oversees alien activity on Earth in this science fiction film.
The amazing actor is also noted for his outstanding performance in the film ‘Pursuit of Happiness.’ The film was nominated for various awards and received the renowned ‘Capri Award’ in the category of ‘Movie of the Year.’
Achievements & Awards
For their first rap songs, ‘DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’ received the ‘Grammy Award’ in 1988.
Smith received the ‘Blockbuster Entertainment Award’ in the ‘Favorite Actor’ category in the late 1990s for his roles in ‘Independence Day,’ ‘Men in Black,’ and ‘Enemy of the State.’
He won the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ from 2005 through 2008 with songs like ‘Hitch,’ ‘The Pursuit of Happiness,’ and ‘I Am Legend.’
For his work in ‘Hancock’ and ‘Seven Pounds,’ the legendary actor received the ‘BET Award’ in 2008-2009. He also earned the ‘Saturn Award’ for his portrayal in ‘I Am Legend’ at this time.
Personal History and Legacy
Will Smith married Sheree Elizabeth Zampino, an actress, in 1992. The couple had a kid named Trey, but they divorced three years after being married.
In 1997, the famed actor married Jada Koren Pinkett, who is best known for the ‘Matrix’ film franchise. Jaden Christopher Syre, the actor’s son, and Willow Camille Reign, the actress’s daughter, were born to the couple.
Willow is best recognized for her performance in the film ‘I Am Legend,’ while Jaden has been in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ ‘The Karate Kid,’ and most recently, ‘After Earth.’
The actor was inducted into the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’ in 2005 for attending three movie premieres in one day.
Will maintains that despite being exposed to Catholicism and Baptism, he does not follow any particular faith. ‘Scientology,’ which is a spiritual rehabilitation through counseling, fascinates the actor, although he is not a member of the organization.
The talented actor is well-known for his humanitarian efforts, having given substantial quantities of money to Christian missions, schools, and churches, as well as a mosque in Los Angeles and Scientology organizations.
In addition, he and his wife, Jada, founded the ‘New Village Leadership Academy’ in California, providing 1.2 million dollars to the educational institution.
Smith was one of the wealthiest young Americans, according to ‘Fortune Magazine.’ He is a financial backer of President Barack Obama and has donated to his campaign. In addition, the well-known actor organized the ‘Nobel Peace Medal Concert,’ which was hosted in Oslo as a salute to Obama being granted the prize.
Estimated Net Worth
Will Smith is an actor, film producer, and rapper who has been one of the world’s most well-known and popular figures for decades. Will Smith has a net worth of $350 million as of this writing. Will Smith makes at least $40 million a year from his different ventures, and has made as much as $80 million in some years. Will, for example, earned $45 million between June 2019 and June 2020 from his many pursuits, largely film salaries.
Trivia
This well-known American actor was the initial option to play ‘Neo’ in the blockbuster film ‘The Matrix.’ He was replaced by prominent celebrity Keanu Reeves when he turned down an invitation to feature in the film, which also starred his wife. `