Will Smith

Will Smith
Will Smith in 2008
Will Smith in 2008
Background information
Birth name Willard Christopher Smith, Jr.
Also known as The Fresh Prince
Born September 25, 1968 (1968-09-25) (age 41)
Origin Wynnefield, West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Occupation(s) Actor, rapper, film,music and television producer
Years active 1987–present
Label(s) Jive, Columbia, Interscope
Associated acts DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff
Website www.willsmith.com

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. (born September 25, 1968)[1] is an American actor, film producer and rapper. He is one of a small group of people who have enjoyed success in three major entertainment media in the United States. Newsweek has called him the most powerful actor on the planet.[2] Smith has been nominated for a Golden Globe, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammys.

Smith rose to fame as a rapper under the name the Fresh Prince in the late 1980s. Smith's most notable television role was that of William "Will" Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In his film work, his notable roles include Agent J in Men in Black and its sequel, Men in Black II, Detective Del Spooner in I, Robot, Muhammad Ali in Ali, Detective Mike Lowrey in Bad Boys and its sequel, Bad Boys II, as well as his role in the blockbuster Independence Day and more recently as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness with his son Jaden Smith and as Robert Neville in I Am Legend with his daughter Willow Smith. He is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office.[3]

Contents

Life and career

Early life and education

Smith, an African American,[4] was born and raised in West Philadelphia and Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline (née Bright), was a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration engineer.[5][6] He was raised Baptist.[7] His parents divorced when he was thirteen.[8] Smith's charming and sly demeanor in school resulted in the nickname "Prince", which eventually turned into the "Fresh Prince". While still in his teens, Smith began rapping and eventually began collaborating with Jeff Townes (a.k.a. D.J. Jazzy Jeff), whom he met at a party. He attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born with Smith handling the rhymes and Townes overseeing the mastery of mixing and scratching – the combination was a pop and hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s.

While it is widely reported that Smith turned down a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he never applied to MIT,[9] although he was admitted to a "pre-engineering program" there.[10] According to Smith, "My mother, who worked for the School Board of Philadelphia, had a friend who was the admissions officer at MIT. I had pretty high SAT scores and they needed black kids, so I probably could have gotten in. But I had no intention of going to college."[11]

Career

Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as 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." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988). He had a line in "Voices That Care", a 1991 Gulf War song by a celebrity group. Smith spent money freely during his early career and underpaid his income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income.[12]

Will Smith in 1993

Smith was nearly bankrupt in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and launched his acting career. Smith set himself the goal of becoming "'the biggest movie star in the world'," studying box office successes' common characteristics.[8] Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in the buddy cop action film Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence.

After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended May 20, 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones' deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. He originally rejected the lead role in Men in Black, but wife Jada Pinkett Smith coaxed him into acceptance. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office, a reputation Smith would begin to term a "Big Willie Weekend". In 1998 he starred with Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State which had a seemingly far-fetched plot at the time but has become more and more plausible as the 'surveillance society' becomes more of a reality. Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. Despite the failure of Wild Wild West, Smith has said that he harbors no regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what Smith would have achieved.[13] Smith then went on to gain leading roles in several box office successes including Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, Hitch, and I, Robot.

Smith is one of only two hip-hop artists to receive an Oscar nomination in an acting category (Best Actor, Ali, 2001), for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay, in the biopic. He was again nominated for Best Actor Oscar for his role in another true-life movie, The Pursuit of Happyness, where he played Chris Gardner in his rags-to-riches story.

Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith created the UPN (later CW) sitcom All of Us, which was loosely based on their lives. The show debuted on UPN in September 2003 and aired there for three seasons before moving to The CW in October 2006 for one more season. The CW cancelled All of Us in May 2007.

Smith appeared as himself in Jersey Girl delivering the Silent Bob speech that appears in nearly all Kevin Smith movies. The lead character's situation is due to the claim, "Will Smith is just a rapper."

Smith also released a string of hit singles, often associated with his most recent film, throughout the late 1990s. The most notable of these were his #1 hit theme song "Men in Black", the #1 hit "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which made jiggy a catchphrase for a while in 1998), and a cover of "Just the Two of Us", an affectionate message to his young son. His first two solo albums went platinum, but his third, on Columbia Records, was a sales disappointment compared to his past efforts, and after a quick Greatest Hits release that was almost not advertised at all, he was dropped by the label. He signed a recording contract with Interscope Records and released the successful Lost & Found in 2005. The album was propelled solely on the smash hit single, "Switch", which appealed to the mainstream a la "Summertime". The single stayed atop the charts for months and returned Smith to the forefront of hip-hop.

In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for attending a record breaking three premieres in a 24-hour time span.[14] On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia in front of an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith appeared at Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards in 2005 performing "Switch", as well as the Black Entertainment Television awards in 2005. He appeared in the second game of the NBA Finals (San Antonio vs. Detroit) performing "Switch" in 2005. Smith also made a special appearance in the reality talent contest show "Indian Idol", when he visited India.

Smith was considered for the role of John Smith in the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith; Brad Pitt eventually received the role.[15] He was also considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the remake of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[16] He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television series It Takes a Thief.[17]

Smith was recognized on December 10, 2007, at Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Blvd. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the world renowned theater in front of many fans.[18]

Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite marginally positive reviews,[19] its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December. Smith himself has said that he considers the film to be "aggressively unique".[20] Smith is developing a film entitled The Last Pharaoh, which he will star as Taharqa.[21]

President-elect Barack Obama stated that if a film were to ever be made about his life, he would have Smith play his part, because "he has the ears". Obama stated that the two have discussed a possibility of a film based on the 2008 election.[22]

On December 1. 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith has been selected as one of America’s top ten most fascinating people of 2008 for an upcoming Barbara Walters ABC special due to air on December 4, 2008.[23]

Personal life

Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1998 single "Just The Two Of Us". Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997. Together they have had two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998), his co-star in The Pursuit of Happyness, and Willow Camille Reign, who appeared as his daughter in "I Am Legend" (born 2000). Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development Inc.,[24] a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son.

Smith has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40. Smith and his family reside on Star Island (Florida) in Miami, Florida and in Los Angeles, Stockholm, Sweden and Philadelphia. Smith donated a large amount of money to assist Katrina victims. Smith donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.[25]

Smith has said he has studied multiple religions including Scientology and he has said many complimentary things about Scientology and other faiths. He and his wife are close friends of prominent Scientologists Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, which has led to rumors that Smith is also a Scientologist. Although Smith has said, "I just think a lot of the ideas in Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious."[26][27] and, "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different",[28] he has denied having joined the Scientology Church, saying "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions, and I respect all people and all paths."[29] After Jada made the film Collateral with Cruise in 2004, the couple donated USD$20,000 to Scientology's literacy campaign, called HELP, The Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, which is the basis for Scientology's home-schooling system.[30] After finishing work on the film Hancock, Smith gave crew members gift cards for a Scientology personality test at any Church of Scientology center as a wrap present; this despite the fact that initial personality tests given by the organization are usually free.[31]

Discography

Main article: Will Smith discography

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1990 Saturday Morning Videos Host TV
In Living Color Various Characters TV
The Perfect Date - "ABC Afterschool Specials" Hawker TV
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air William "Will" Smith TV (1990-1996)
1992 Blossom Fresh Prince TV, Cameo
Where the Day Takes You Manny
1993 Made in America Tea Cake Walters
Six Degrees of Separation Paul
1995 Bad Boys Detective Mike Lowrey
1996 Independence Day Captain Steven "Steve" Hiller, USMC
1997 Men in Black James Darrell Edwards / Agent J
1998 Enemy of the State Robert Clayton Dean
1999 Torrance Rises Cameo
Wild Wild West Captain James "Jim" West
2000 Welcome to Hollywood Himself
The Legend of Bagger Vance Bagger Vance
2001 Ali Muhammad Ali Academy Award Best Actor Nomination
2002 Men in Black II James Darrell Edwards / Agent J
Girlfriend by B2K Himself Music video
2003 Bad Boys II Detective Mike Lowrey
2004 A Closer Walk Narrator Documentary
Jersey Girl Himself Uncredited Cameo
American Chopper Himself TV, Cameo
I, Robot Detective Del Spooner Producer
Shark Tale Oscar Voice
2005 There's a God on the Mic Documentary
Hitch Alex "Hitch" Hitchens Producer
2006 The Pursuit of Happyness Chris Gardner Producer, Academy Award Best Actor Nomination
2007 I Am Legend Dr. Robert Neville Producer
2008 Hancock John Hancock Also a producer
Lakeview Terrace Producer
The Secret Life of Bees Producer
Seven Pounds Ben Thomas Also a producer

Box office grosses

Year Title Budget Gross (US) Gross (Worldwide inc US)
1993 Made in America N/A $44,942,695 $104,942,695
1993 Six Degrees of Separation N/A $6,410,676 [32] N/A
1995 Bad Boys $23m $65,807,024 $141,407,024
1996 Independence Day $75m $306,169,268 $816,969,268
1997 Men in Black $90m $250,690,539 $589,390,539
1998 Enemy of the State $90m $111,549,836 $250,649,836
1999 Wild Wild West $170m $113,745,408 $222,105,681
2000 The Legend of Bagger Vance $80m $30,695,227 $39,459,427
2001 Ali $107m $58,183,966 $87,713,825
2002 Men in Black II $140m $190,418,803 $441,818,803
2003 Bad Boys II $130m $138,396,624 $273,339,556
2004 I, Robot $120m $144,801,023 $347,234,916
2004 Shark Tale $75m $160,861,908 $367,275,019
2005 Hitch $70m $179,495,555 $368,100,420
2006 The Pursuit of Happyness $55m $163,566,459 $307,069,059
2007 I Am Legend $150m $256,393,010 $584,137,442
2008 Hancock $150m $227,946,274 $624,029,371

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Jason Ankeny (2008). "Will Smith on MSN". MSN. Retrieved on 2008-07-17.
  2. ↑ Sean Smith (2007-04-09). "The $4 Billion Man", Newsweek. Retrieved on 2007-04-04. 
  3. ↑ "WEEKEND ESTIMATES: 'Hancock' Delivers $107M 5-Day Opening, Giving Will Smith a Record Eighth Consecutive $100M Grossing Movie!; 'WALL-E' with $33M 3-Day; 'Wanted' Down 60 Percent for $20.6M; 'Kit Kittredge' a Disaster!". Fantasy Moguls (2008-07-03). Retrieved on 2008-07-07.
  4. ↑ Will Smith: So perfect it's disgusting
  5. ↑ Will Smith Biography (1968-)
  6. ↑ "Where there's a Will, there's a way", Taipei Times (2004-08-09). 
  7. ↑ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/5377381.html
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Rebecca Winters Keegan (2007-11-29). "The Legend of Will Smith", Time. 
  9. ↑ Jennifer Hillner (December 2007). "I, Robocop". Wired. http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.07/smith.html. 
  10. ↑ "Will Smith". James Lipton (producer). Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo. 2002-01-13. No. 806, season 8.
  11. ↑ Meg Grant (December 2006). "Will Smith Interview: Will's Roots". Reader's Digest. http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=31133. Retrieved on 2006-06-27. 
  12. ↑ Smith, Will. Interview with Steve Kroft. 60 Minutes. CBS. 2007-12-02.
  13. ↑ Smith has no Matrix Regrets
  14. ↑ Daniel Saney (2005-02-23). "Will Smith in Guinness Book of Records", Digital Spy. 
  15. ↑ Who was considered for Mr. & Mrs. Smith?
  16. ↑ Who was considered for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory?
  17. ↑ Gabriel Snyder; Michael Fleming (2006-03-21). "U finds man of steal for 'Thief' feature", Variety. 
  18. ↑ HHWorlds.com - Will Smith Immortalized At Grauman's Chinese Theater
  19. ↑ Rotten Tomatoes: I Am Legend
  20. ↑ Will Smith: He is a legend video interview with stv.tv, December 2007
  21. ↑ "Will Smith set to conquer Egypt?", Jam Showbiz (2008-03-23). Retrieved on 2008-03-23. 
  22. ↑ "Will Smith Is Obama's Cinematic Pick". Yahoo! News (2008-02-26). Retrieved on 2008-02-26. "Will and I have talked about this because he has the ears!"
  23. ↑ Barbara Walters Gets Up Close with 2008's Most Fascinating People" TV Guide. December 1, 2008. Retrieved on December 3 2008.
  24. ↑ Treyball Development
  25. ↑ "Will Smith's Federal Campaign Contribution Report". newsmeat.com. Retrieved on 2008-01-11.
  26. ↑ "Smith Turns Down Cruise's Scientology Bid", Hollywood.com (2006-12-01). 
  27. ↑ Clark Collis (June 2005). "Dear Superstar: Will Smith", Blender. 
  28. ↑ "Will Smith Admits to Studying Scientology With Tom Cruise", US Magazine (2007-11-20). 
  29. ↑ "Will and Jada are not Scientologists", MSN Entertainment (2008-03-18). 
  30. ↑ Roger Friedman (2007-12-14). "Will Smith's Charities Include Scientology", FOX News. 
  31. ↑ Cashmore, Pete (June 21, 2008). "Will and disgrace: Is there any dirt at all to be found on Will Smith, the last action hero? Yes, says Pete Cashmore", The Guardian, Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved on 2008-06-21. 
  32. ↑ Lifetime Gross, Will Smith Boxofficemojo.com

External links

Preceded by
Eddie Murphy		 MTV Movie Awards host
1994		 Succeeded by
Courteney Cox and Jon Lovitz