Early Years
Will Smith was born on September 25th, 1968 in Philadelphia, PA. Growing up in West Philadelphia, Smith was an inquisitive and creative young student, and was drawn to the theater arts and music. He attended the Overbrook High School, and was an honor student, excelling in all his classes. He was a talented storyteller and poet, and even began writing his own songs by the age of 16.
Personal Life
Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992 and they had one son together, Trey. In 1997, Smith married Jada Pinkett and they had two children, Jaden and Willow. Smith also has a daughter, Willow, from his first marriage. As a family, they are devoted to philanthropy and activism, often using their platform to support and uplift the African American community.
Career
Smith's career began with his rap group, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, where he recorded multiple hit singles, including the Grammy Award-winning song “Parents Just Don’t Understand”. He then moved into acting, landing his breakout role in the television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”, which ran for six seasons. He went on to star in and produce multiple blockbuster movies, such as Bad Boys, Independence Day and Men in Black.
Accomplishments
Throughout his career, Smith has achieved a number of impressive accomplishments, including:
- Five Golden Globe nominations
- Two Academy Award nominations
- Four Grammy Awards
- Over $6.5 billion in global box office sales
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
