Known as one of Hollywood`s most lucrative stars, Will Smith made a thriving crossover from being a rapper and songwriter to an actor and producer. Smith was given the nickname “Prince Charming” in high school, which he adapted to “Fresh Prince” in order to reflect a more hip-hop sound when he began his musical career. He formed an alliance with schoolmate and deejay Jeffrey Townes, whom he met in 1981.
They began recording as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince and released their first single, “Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble,” in 1986, later followed by the album Rock the House. In 1988, the group released the groundbreaking single “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” which went on to win a Grammy Award, the first Grammy ever presented in the rap performance category.
Achievements and career success
Gage Skidmore/ Flickr | Will Smith is an American actor, producer, rapper, comedian, and songwriter
Smith is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a British Academy Film Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, and four Grammy Awards, in addition to nominations for four Academy Awards, including one for Best Picture, and a Primetime Emmy Award. His films have grossed over $9.3 billion at the global box office, and he holds several US and international box office records.
Smith is ranked as the most bankable star worldwide by Forbes. As of 2014, 17 of the 21 films in which he has had leading roles have accumulated worldwide gross earnings of over $100 million each, five taking in over $500 million each in global box office receipts. As of 2014, his films have grossed $6.6 billion at the global box office. He has received Best Actor Oscar nominations for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness.
Антон Зайцев/ Wikimedia | Will Smith is the only actor to gross $100 million domestically with eight movies in a row
In addition, in the early 21st century Smith served as a producer for several films, including some in which he acted, and with his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, whom he got married to in 1997, he helped create and produce the sitcom All of Us (2003–07). In 2018 he hosted the documentary TV series One Strange Rock, about Earth. Smith’s memoir, “Will”, written with Mark Manson, was released in 2021.
Addresses latest rumors about his marriage
During Sunday night's BAFTAs ceremony, the couple found themselves in the butt of a joke after Will scooped Best Actor for his role in King Richard. BAFTAs host Rebel, 41, quipped on stage that she thought his best performance over the past year was accepting all his wife’s boyfriends.
Gage Skidmore/ Flickr | Will Smith is by far the most successful celebrity and the King of Hollywood
Speaking to Gayle King on CBS's Sunday Morning, the Oscar nominee revealed that although there have been ups and downs during their decades-long marriage with Jada, he never turned to other women.
According to a UK tabloid, the ‘King Richard’ star’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, spoke in 2020 about her “entanglement” with singer August Alsina. But the 53-year-old actor who maintained nothing in their relationship has come as a surprise.
Smith doesn’t mind if others wonder about his marriage; in fact, he encourages it in the hopes of sparking serious discussion. He went on to discuss how the couple believes in giving each other freedom and do not allow their marriage to become a prison.