WILL SMITH

Journey as an actor, producer, rapper, and songwriter

Willard Carroll Smith Jr. was born on September 15, 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Caroline (Bright), a Philadelphia school board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. (died 2016), a refrigeration engineer. Smith was a good student whose charming personality and quick tongue were renowned for getting him out of trouble, a trait for which he soon gained the nickname “Prince”.

He never applied to college because he wanted to rap. He began rapping at age 12, emulating heroes like Grandmaster Flash but tingeing his rhymes with a comedic element that would later become his trademark.  At the age of 16, he met a DJ at a party by the name of Jeff Townes. Later they became friends and hence the duo of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born. Later on he also became friends with Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime“.

In 1990, Smith was nearly bankrupt and that’s when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The success of the show began his acting career. He’s first steps into superstardom came with his film, Bad Boys (1995).

Smith took on the dual role of actor and producer for Hancock in 2008. He also helped produce two films released on the same year – Lakeview Terrace and The Secret Life of Bees. In 2016, he starred in the DC Comics blockbuster hit Suicide Squad. The movie became his most successful film since 1996’s Independence Day.

Engagement as an philanthropist, activist

• In 1996, Will Smith along with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, founded ‘Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation’ to benefit inner- city community development, youth educational projects and under-privileged children and their families. Grantmaking by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation has also involved education, arts, environmental, and religious outfits. As well, the couple has waded into energy and climate issues.

• He has also hosted Nelson Mandela AIDS benefit concert in George, South Africa and dedicated his time as well as money to help suffering children and families in South Africa. Smith also took part in the America: A Tribute to Heroescharity telethon for victims of 9/11.
• Will Smith has supported many charities such as Dream Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation, Feeding America and many more.
  (Picture: Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith visit charity water projects in Ethiopia)

Achievement and Recognition

In April 2007, Newsweek called Will Smith “the most powerful actor in Hollywood”. He has won four Grammy Awards. He received his first ‘Grammy Awards’ in 1988 for Best Rap performance with DJ Jazzy Jeff. During the late 1990s, Smith was presented with the ‘Blockbuster Entertainment Award’ in the ‘Favorite Actor’ category, for ‘Independence Day’, ‘Men in Black’ and ‘Enemy of the State’. He also won the ‘Teen Choice Awards’ for hits like ‘Hitch’, ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, and ‘I Am Legend’ from the year 2005 to 2008. During 2008-2009, Smith received ‘BET Award’ for his role in ‘Hancock’ and ‘Seven Pounds’ and also won ‘Saturn Award’ for his performance in ‘I Am Legend’ in the same year. In 2015-2016, He received ‘Hollywood Film Awards’ and ‘MTV Movie Awards’ for his role in ‘Concussion’ and ‘Himself’.

Source: (The Famous People)

(Picture: Will Smith quells ‘Concussion’ controversy at Film Awards)

WILL SMITH: Personal Life

In 1992, Will Smith married Sheree Zampino and had one son, Willard Smith III also known as Trey Smith, born on November 11, 1992. However, after three years of being together, the couple decided to split.

In 1997, he again got married to actress Jada Pinkett Smith. Together they have two children:  Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born 1998) and Willow Camille Reign Smith (born 2000). Jaden has appeared in ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’, ‘The Karate Kid’, and more recently, ‘After Earth’, while Willow is known for her role in the movie, ‘I Am Legend’. Currently his family resides in Los Angeles, California.

In 2005, Will Smith made it through to the ‘Guinness Book of World Records’, for having gone to three movie premieres in one day.

Despite being raised in a Baptist household, Smith no longer identifies himself as religious.

Source: (Editors, 2017)

(Left to Right: Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, Will Smith, Jada Smith and Troy Smith)

Current Films

• Suicide Squad (August 5, 2016):

Suicide Squad is a highly popular 2016 American superhero film which is based on the DC Comics antihero team. It is the third installment in the DC Extended Universe. Will Smith appear as Floyd Lawton/Deadshot. Deadshot is a criminal who happens to be fond of hunting, but has still been proven correct by his daughter.

Suicide squad was a huge box office success regardless of critical reception and very low box office performance of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in March.

In March 2016, it was informed that Warner Bros. would bring Ayer and Smith back for a sequel that was supposed to be shot in 2017. It was also announced that the studio is thinking to produce a solo film focusing Floyd Lawton / Deadshot, which is to be starredWill Smith.

(Will Smith as Deadshot)

• Collateral Beauty (December 16, 2016):

Collateral Beauty is a 2016 American drama/film directed by David Frankel and written by Allan Loeb. In the movie, Will Smith played the lead role of Howard Inlet, a successful advertising executive. He later turns into clinically depressed loner after the tragic death of his young daughter. The movie received was heavily criticized.

According to The NYTimes time and talent Will Smith invested in the film was a complete waste. Richard Roeper rated the film 1 out of 5. According to him, Collateral Beauty was a fraud. It was built on a foundation so unnatural, so disconcerting; the most miraculous thing about this movie is this movie was forcefully made.

Breaking News

•  Will Smith Flirting in a Photo Booth with Margot Robbie?!?

                                          According to the sources, Smith and Focus costar Margot Robbie were getting incredibly friendly at a party in New Orleans. They were supposed to have posed in a evocative manner behind the curtain of a photo booth. One witness even informed that Robbie exposed her bra to Smith while he pressed his bare chest against her boobs. It was even stated that he did not act like a married man.

Source: (Hater, 2013)