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Birth
Born Willard Christopher Smith Jr. to mother Caroline and father Willard C. Smith in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 25 1968. His father owned a refrigeration company and his mother was a school board employee. -
Nicknamed Prince
His charm and abiltiy to talk his way out of trouble earns him the nick name Prince. -
Age 16 Meets DJ Jeff Townes
16, Smith met a DJ at a party by the name of Jeff Townes. The pair became friends, and the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince was born. -
DJ Jazz Jeff and The Fresh Prince Release first single
The pair's first single, "Girls Ain't Nothing But Trouble," was a hit in 1986 -
DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince win Grammy
Their album "He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper" featuring the radio-friendly single "Parents Just Don't Understand," won the first ever Grammy Award for a rap performance. -
Starred in "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air"
Starred in the hit NBC sitcom, “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air”.
In the sitcom he plays a street-smart kid from Philadelphia who is shipped off to live with wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, California. -
Smith becomes a young millionaire
Their debut album Rock the House hit the Billboard Top 200, and made Smith a millionaire before the age of 18. His early success put any thoughts of attending college out of Smith's mind. -
married Sheree Zampino
He married Sheree Zampino and later had their son Willard Smith III, who is also known as Trey. -
Crosses over into movies with small acting roles
Small roles in the drama Where The Day Takes You (1992) and the comedy Made In America (1993) -
Stared in Six Degrees of Separation
Smith played a charming street-wise kid moving among the wealthy elite, who was also a psychologically complex gay hustler. The film enjoyed moderate success, but its title idea has become a household term for the closeness of human society. -
Divorced Sheree Zampino
Divorced Sheree Zampino and started to date Jada Pinkett. -
Acted as the serious cop in "Bad Boys"
His movie with Martin Lawrence “Bad Boys” was a box office smash hit. Smith played the smooth, serious, cop to Lawrence's clown amd was established as leading man material. -
Lead role in “Independence Day
Smith stared in the movie “Independence Day”, and played an air force pilot leading the counter-attack against the invading alien forces. -
Married Jada Pinkett
Got married to Jada Pinkett -
starred “Men in Black”
starred with Tommy Lee Jones in “Men in Black” -
His son Jaden is born
His son Jaden Christopher Syre is born -
“Getting Jiggy With It” was released
“Getting Jiggy With It” was released which became a very popular phrase and also received NAACP Entertainer of the Year Award -
Earned an NAACP Image Award nomination
Stared in the slick conspiracy thriller Enemy of the State, which earned Smith an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. -
Delivers his first dud, Wild Wild West
Delivers his first dud, Wild Wild West -
His daughter Willow is born
His daughter Willow Camille Reign is born -
plays a mystical caddy in 'The Legend of Bagger Vance’
he plays the role of a mystical caddy in the Robert Redford film, 'The Legend of Bagger Vance’ -
Earned his first Oscar nomination
Earned his first Oscar nomination for his portrayal of famous boxer Muhammad Ali in the movie ‘Ali’ -
Got lead role in the sci-fi movie ‘I-Robot’
Got lead role in the sci-fi movie ‘I-Robot’ -
In the romantic comedy 'Hitch'
Delivered another box office hit with the romantic comedy ‘Hitch’ -
nominated for a Golden Globe
Got nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ -
Academy Award nomination for ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’
Got an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ -
I Am Legend
In 2007, Smith starred in I Am Legend, a remake of the Charlton Heston film Omega Man, where he battled blood-thirsty vampires. The film became a national and international hit. -
Smith takes up Producing
Smith worked both sides of the camera for the film Hancock, in which he plays an alcoholic anti-superhero, and for Seven Pounds, about a man who sets out to change the lives of seven people. Also helped produce the 2008 films Lakeview Terrace and The Secret Life of Bees. His most recent project, The Mark, is slated for release in 2009. -
Present
Will Smith continues to be a great actor, music artist, and producer. With his work ethic he has become a very successful person.
