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Will Smith
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Willard Carroll Smith II[3] (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his work in both the screen and music industries, his accolades include an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. Films in which he has appeared have grossed over $10 billion worldwide,[4][5] making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars.[6][7]

Key Information

Smith first gained recognition as part of a hip hop duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff, with whom he released five studio albums which contained five Billboard Hot 100-top 20 singles—"Parents Just Don't Understand", "A Nightmare on My Street", "Summertime", "Ring My Bell", and "Boom! Shake the Room"—from 1985 to 1994. He released the solo albums Big Willie Style (1997), Willennium (1999), Born to Reign (2002), and Lost and Found (2005), which spawned the U.S. number-one singles "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" and "Wild Wild West". He has won four Grammy Awards for his recording career.[8]

Smith began his acting career starring as a fictionalized version of himself on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1993 and 1994. He achieved wider fame as a leading man with the film franchises Bad Boys (1995–2024) and Men in Black (1997–2012), where he respectively portrayed Mike Lowrey and Agent J. After starring in the thrillers Independence Day (1996) and Enemy of the State (1998), he received Academy Award for Best Actor nominations for his portrayals of Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001) and Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). He also starred in commercially successful films such as I, Robot (2004), Shark Tale (2004), Hitch (2005), I Am Legend (2007), Hancock (2008), Seven Pounds (2008), Suicide Squad (2016), and Aladdin (2019).[9]

For his portrayal of Richard Williams in the biographical sports drama King Richard (2021), Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor.[10] At the 2022 ceremony, shortly before winning, Smith slapped and shouted at presenter Chris Rock after Rock made an unscripted joke referencing Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.[11] The event earned substantial media coverage and criticism, with Smith ultimately resigning from the Academy along with being banned from attending all their events for ten years.[12]

Early life

[edit]

Willard Carroll Smith II was born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, to Caroline (née Bright), a school board administrator, and Willard Carroll Smith Sr.,[13][14] a U.S. Air Force veteran[15] and refrigeration engineer. His mother graduated from Carnegie Mellon University.[16]

He grew up in West Philadelphia's Wynnefield neighborhood[17] and was raised Baptist.[18] He has an elder sister named Pamela and two younger siblings, twins Harry and Ellen.[17] He attended Our Lady of Lourdes, a private Catholic elementary school in Philadelphia,[19] and Overbrook High School.[20] His parents separated when he was 13[21] and divorced around the year 2000.[22]

Smith began rapping at age 12. When his grandmother found a notebook of his lyrics, which he described as containing "all [his] little curse words", she wrote him a note on a page in the book: "Dear Willard, truly intelligent people do not have to use words like this to express themselves. Please show the world that you're as smart as we think you are". Smith said that this influenced his decision not to use profanity in his music.[23]

Career

[edit]
Further information: Will Smith filmography, Will Smith discography, and List of awards and nominations received by Will Smith

1985–1992: DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

[edit]
Smith at the Emmy Awards 1993

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.[24] Townes and Smith were introduced to each other by chance in 1985, as Townes was performing at a house party only a few doors down from Smith's residence, and he was missing his hype man. Smith decided to fill in. They both felt strong chemistry, and Townes was upset when his hype man finally made it to the party.[25]

Soon after, the two decided to collaborate. Smith enlisted a friend, Ready Rock C, to join as the beatboxer of the group, making them a trio. Philadelphia-based Word Records released their first single in 1986 when A&R man Paul Oakenfold introduced them to Champion Records with their single "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble", a tale of funny misadventures that landed Smith and his former DJ and rap partner Mark Forrest (Lord Supreme) in trouble.[26][27] The song sampled the theme song of "I Dream of Jeannie". Smith became known for light-hearted story-telling raps and capable, though profanity-free, "battle" rhymes. The single became a hit a month before Smith graduated from high school.[28]

Based on this success, the duo were brought to the attention of Jive Records and Russell Simmons. The duo's first album, Rock the House, which was first released on Word Up in 1986 debuted on Jive in March 1987. The group received the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand" (1988), though their most successful single was "Summertime" (1991), which earned the group their second Grammy and peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Smith and Townes are still friends and claim that they never split up, having made songs under Smith's solo performer credit.[29]

Smith spent money freely around 1988 and 1989 and underpaid his income taxes.[24] The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income.[30] Smith was struggling financially in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him.[24] The show was successful and began his acting career. Smith set for himself the goal of becoming "the biggest movie star in the world", studying box office successes' common characteristics.[21] In 1989, Smith was arrested in relation to an alleged assault on his record promoter, William Hendricks; the charges were later dismissed.[31]

1993–1997: Solo music and film breakthrough

[edit]

Smith's first major roles were in the drama Six Degrees of Separation (1993) and the action film Bad Boys (1995) in which he starred opposite Martin Lawrence. The latter film was commercially successful, grossing $141.4 million worldwide.[32] However, critical reception was generally mixed.[33] In 1996, Smith starred as part of an ensemble cast in Roland Emmerich's Independence Day. The film was a massive blockbuster, becoming the second highest-grossing film in history at the time and establishing Smith as a prime box office draw.[34]

In the summer of 1997, he starred alongside Tommy Lee Jones in the hit Men in Black, playing Agent J. The film was released on July 2 by Columbia Pictures and grossed over $589.3 million worldwide against a $90 million budget, becoming the year's third highest-grossing film, with an estimated 54,616,700 tickets sold in the U.S.[35] It received positive reviews, with critics praising its humor and Jones's and Smith's performances.

During the summer of 1997, Smith also began his solo music career with the release of "Men in Black", the theme song for the film, which topped singles charts in several regions across the world, including the UK.[36] "Men in Black" (and second single "Just Cruisin' ") was later included on Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style, which reached the top ten of the U.S. Billboard 200 and was certified nine times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[37][38] The third single from the album, "Gettin' Jiggy wit It", became Smith's first Billboard Hot 100 number one when it was released in 1998.[39]

1998–2007: Leading man status

[edit]
Smith in 1999

In 1998, Smith starred with Gene Hackman in Enemy of the State.[24] The following year, he turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West (1999). Despite the disappointment of Wild Wild West, Smith said that he has no regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what Smith himself would have achieved,[40] although in interviews subsequent to the release of Wild Wild West, he said that he "made a mistake on Wild Wild West. That could have been better".[41]

Smith's second album was again supported by the release of a film theme song as the lead single: "Wild Wild West", featuring Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee, topped the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA.[38][39] The album, Willennium, reached number five on the Billboard 200 and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.[37][38] "Will 2K", the second single from the album, reached number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.[39] Before the end of 1999, a video album was released featuring Smith's seven music videos released to date,[42] which reached number 25 on the UK Music Video Chart.[43] The same year, he was also featured on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star Tatyana Ali's single "Boy You Knock Me Out", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart and topped the UK R&B Singles Chart.[36][44]

Smith portrayed heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali in the 2001 biopic Ali. For his performance, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.[45][46] In 2002, following a four-year musical hiatus, Smith returned with his third album Born to Reign, which reached number 13 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the RIAA.[37][38] The album's lead single was the theme song from Smith's film Men in Black II, called "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)", which reached number three on the UK Singles Chart.[36] Later in the year, Smith's first compilation album Greatest Hits was released, featuring songs from his three solo albums and those produced with DJ Jazzy Jeff.[47]

2003 saw Smith return for Bad Boys II, the sequel to the 1995 film Bad Boys; the film follows detectives Burnett and Lowrey investigating the flow of ecstasy into Miami. Despite receiving generally negative reviews, the film was a box-office success, grossing $270 million worldwide.[32] In the following year, he starred in the science fiction film I, Robot and the animated film Shark Tale; both films were box office successes despite mixed reviews. Smith's latest album Lost and Found was released in 2005, peaking at number six on the Billboard 200.[37] Lead single "Switch" reached the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.[36][39] In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three premieres in a 24-hour time span.[48] Smith and his son Jaden played father and son in the 2006 biographical drama The Pursuit of Happyness. In the film, Smith portrays Chris Gardner. Smith first became interested in making a film about Gardner after seeing him on 20/20 and connected with him during production. The film, along with Smith's performance, received praise.[49][50]

Smith hosting the 2011 Walmart Shareholders Meeting

On December 10, 2007, Smith was honored at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the theater in front of many fans.[51] Later that month, Smith starred in the film I Am Legend, released on December 14, 2007. Alongside marginally positive reviews,[52] 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".[53] A reviewer said that the film's commercial success "cemented [Smith's] standing as the number one box office draw in Hollywood".[54] On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith was selected as one of America's top ten most fascinating people of 2008 for a Barbara Walters ABC special that aired on December 4, 2008.[55]

2008–2022: Career fluctuations and King Richard

[edit]

In 2008, Smith was reported to be developing a film entitled The Last Pharaoh, in which he would be starring as Taharqa.[56] Smith later starred in the superhero film Hancock,[57] which grossed $227,946,274 in the United States and Canada and had a worldwide total of $624,386,746.[58] Sometime between 2008 and early 2009, Smith was offered the lead role in Inception but turned it down because he did not understand the story.[59] On August 19, 2011, it was announced that Smith returned to the studio with producer La Mar Edwards to work on his fifth studio album.[60]

Smith again reprised his role as Agent J with Men in Black 3, which opened on May 25, 2012, his first major starring role in four years.[61][62] After the release of the film, Smith was content with ending his work with the franchise, saying, "I think three is enough for me. Three of anything is enough for me. We'll look at it and we'll consider it, but it feels like that it might be time to let someone else do that".[63] Men in Black 3, released ten years after Men in Black II (2002), grossed over $624 million worldwide.[64][65] Unadjusted for inflation, it is the highest-grossing film in the series.[66] In 2013, Smith starred in After Earth with his son Jaden. The film was a disappointment at the domestic box office and was panned critically.[67] Calling the film "the most painful failure in my career", Smith ended up taking a year and a half break as a result.[68]

Smith and Suicide Squad co-star Margot Robbie in 2016

Smith starred opposite Margot Robbie in the romance drama Focus, released on February 27, 2015.[69] He played Nicky Spurgeon, a veteran con artist who takes a young, attractive woman under his wing. Smith was set to star in the sci-fi thriller Brilliance, an adaptation of Marcus Sakey's novel of the same name scripted by Jurassic Park writer David Koepp, but he left the project to work on the Ridley Scott-produced sports drama Concussion.[70][71]

In Concussion, Smith played Dr. Bennet Omalu of the Brain Injury Research Institute, the first to discover chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Smith reported he had doubts about the film early in the production, saying, "some of my happiest memories are of watching my son catch and throw a football. I didn't want to be the guy who did a movie saying football could be dangerous". These views subsided when he met Omalu, whose words about American ideals resonated with Smith.[72] Smith's performance was praised for being "sensitive [and] understated".[73]

In 2016, Smith played Deadshot in the supervillain team-up action film Suicide Squad.[74] Smith's participation in the film meant choosing it over a role in Independence Day: Resurgence, which he said would be like "clinging and clawing backwards".[75] While Suicide Squad was a massive financial success, earning over $700 million at the box office, the film received negative reviews from critics. Christopher Orr, film critic from The Atlantic wrote that "the latest offering from the DC Comics superhero universe may be the most disastrous yet".[76] Later that year, Smith starred in director David Frankel's drama Collateral Beauty, playing a New York advertising executive who succumbs to a deep depression after a personal tragedy.[77] Weeks after signing Smith onto the film, his father was diagnosed with cancer, from which he died in 2016.[78] As part of his role required him to read about religion and the afterlife, he was brought closer to the elder Smith, calling the experience "a beautiful way to prepare for a movie and an even more majestic way to say goodbye to my father".[79] The film marked the lowest box office opening of Will Smith's career.[80] The film also received near universal negative reviews from film critics.[81] Hollywood Reporter critic David Rooney criticized Smith's performance writing as "the least interesting component in a madly overqualified cast".[82]

His film Bright was distributed via Netflix on December 22, 2017. An urban fantasy, it was the most expensive film for Netflix to date. Smith collaborated with his director from Suicide Squad, David Ayer.[83] This would also be another critical disappointment for Smith, with critics panning the film. Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times criticized the film and Smith's performance writing, "By the time Will Smith barks [the line, "Dude, you can't go through elf town!"] with 100 percent urgency and sincerity in the mindboggling mess that is "Bright," it's clear we are watching a truly terrible, mountainous pile of genre-blending garbage".[84]

Also in 2017, Smith released the song "Get Lit" a collaboration between him and his former group mate Jazzy Jeff,[85][86] and launched his own YouTube channel, which as of July 2019 has over 6 million subscribers and 294 million total views.[87] Smith performed the official song "Live It Up" alongside American singer Nicky Jam and Kosovar singer Era Istrefi at the closing ceremony of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow, Russia.[88] That September, Smith appeared, alongside Bad Bunny, on the Marc Anthony song "Está Rico".[89]

Smith performed the soccer 2018 World Cup's official song "Live It Up".

Smith portrayed the Genie (originally voiced by Robin Williams) in the live-action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin, directed by Guy Ritchie. He also participated in the soundtracks by recording singles: "Arabian Nights (2019)", "Friend Like Me", and "Prince Ali".[90] The film was released on May 24, 2019.[91] Aladdin grossed over $1 billion worldwide to become Smith's highest-grossing film, surpassing Independence Day.[92] Smith was also featured on rapper Logic's song "Don't Be Afraid To Be Different" (2019), from his fifth studio album Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.[93]

Smith appeared as an assassin who faces off against a younger clone of himself in Ang Lee's Gemini Man, released on October 11, 2019.[94] The film was a box office bomb and received negative reviews from critics. Variety's Peter DeBruge called the film "a high-concept misfire" and wrote: "In practice, it's been a nearly impossible project to get made, passing through the hands of countless actors and falling through multiple times because the technology wasn't there yet. At least, that's been the excuse, although judging by the finished product, it was the script that never lived up to the promise of its premise".[95]

Later that year, Smith had his second starring role in an animated film, in Spies in Disguise, opposite Tom Holland. Smith voiced Lance Sterling, a spy who teams up with the nerdy inventor who creates his gadgets (Holland).[96] In 2020, he reteamed with Martin Lawrence for the third film in their franchise, Bad Boys for Life. In 2019, Smith and Keisuke Honda led a $46 million investment round in esports organization Gen.G.[97] In June 2020, it was announced that Smith would star in Emancipation, directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which he portrays Peter, a runaway slave, who outsmarts hunters and the Louisiana swamp on a journey to the Union Army.[98]

Smith's memoir Will, which was written with Mark Manson, the author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, was published on November 9, 2021, and promoted with a tour.[99][100] The book is a journey of self-knowledge recalling childhood traumas, his relationship with his father, and his experiences with ayahuasca.[101][102] In the same year, he and his Westbrook Studios company signed a deal with National Geographic.[103]

Smith portrayed Richard Williams, father and coach of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, in the 2021 film King Richard. For his performance, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor,[104] Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.[105]

On February 7, 2022, National Geographic announced that Smith would star in a series titled Pole to Pole, which will stream on Disney+. The series follows Smith and his film crew as they go on a 26,000-mile (42,000 km) trek from the South Pole to the North Pole, crossing all of Earth's biomes and spending time in communities along the way.[106] Part of the filming took place during an expedition in the Ecuadorian Amazon which helped discover the northern green anaconda.[107]

2022 Oscars incident

[edit]
Main article: Chris Rock–Will Smith slapping incident
Further information: 94th Academy Awards

During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, Smith walked onstage and slapped presenter and comedian Chris Rock who had made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head[108] with a reference to the main protagonist in the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Smith then returned to his seat and yelled at Rock, twice saying "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!"[109][110][111] Pinkett Smith had been diagnosed with alopecia areata in 2018 and would later shave her head due to the condition.[112][113] The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) said that Smith was asked to leave the ceremony but he refused.[114] Later in the night, Smith was named Best Actor for King Richard and apologized to the Academy and the other nominees, but not to Rock, in his acceptance speech.[115][116][117] The live audience gave Smith two standing ovations. Smith remained at the ceremony until its conclusion and participated in the celebrations later that evening.[118] Following public backlash, Smith issued a formal apology via a public Instagram post.[119][120] ABC, AMPAS, and the Screen Actors Guild condemned Smith following the incident, prompting an investigation by the Academy's Board of Governors.[121] Rock declined to press charges against Smith, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.[122] On April 1, 2022, Smith tendered his resignation from the Academy, writing in part:

I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.

The AMPAS President David Rubin accepted the resignation in an official statement but said they would continue their investigation.[123] Smith's resignation means he is no longer able to vote on Oscar nominations as a member of the Academy.[124] Commentators have speculated that Smith's resignation from the Academy and other related fallout from the slap would damage his "family brand".[125] On April 8, 2022, the Academy announced its decision to ban Smith from future Oscars galas and associated events for 10 years.[126] Several film projects that Smith had been involved in were put on hold as a result of the controversy.[127] In a statement to CNN, Smith stated: "I accept and respect the Academy's decision".[128][129] Smith offered an on camera apology on July 29, saying he was "deeply remorseful" for his actions.[130] As a result of the incident, Netflix cancelled production on an action film that was set to star Smith titled Fast and Loose.[131][132] In December 2022, Emancipation was released to mixed reviews and was a commercial failure. Producer Todd Black partially attributed the failure to Smith's involvement following the Oscar incident.[133]

2023–present: Action films and return to music

[edit]

In 2023, it was announced that Smith would co-star in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment in the Bad Boys film series.[134] The film includes a comedic moment inspired by the Oscars incident.[135] Smith is set to co-star with Michael B. Jordan in a sequel to I Am Legend.[136][137] The film is in active development.[137] Additionally, Smith is attached to star in the science fiction films Brilliance and Resistor.[138][139] Smith was attached to star in crime thriller Sugar Bandits, but exited the project in September 2024 due to scheduling conflicts with another undisclosed project; he will remain involved as a producer.[140][141] The following year, he signed a first look deal with Paramount Pictures through his production company, Westbrook.[142]

In September 2023, it was reported by VIBE magazine that Joyner Lucas and Will Smith would be working together on a joint album.[143] On May 19, Smith confirmed new music coming in 2024 in an interview with ET[144] and that it is the most personal music he had ever done,[145] with Teddy Swims confirming he recorded music with Will for the upcoming project.[146]

On June 27, 2024, Smith announced on his Instagram that his first solo single in nearly 20 years was coming out the following day, "You Can Make It", saying "Through some of my darkest moments, music has always been there for me - to lift me and help me grow. It's my humble wish that it can do the same for you and bring you all the joy and light you deserve".[147] The song released at midnight that evening, featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. On July 24, 2024, it was announced that Smith had signed a new distribution deal with SLANG, a newly formed independent label.[148] On July 26, 2024, Smith released another single "Work of Art", featuring his son Jaden and Russ.[149][150] On December 12, Smith released another single, "TANTRUM", with Joyner Lucas. In 2025, Smith announced his fifth studio album, Based on a True Story, which was released on March 28, 2025. The album consists of 14 tracks, including five previously released singles and nine new songs.[151][152] On March 23, 2025, Smith performed at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.[153]

Personal life

[edit]

Relationships and family

[edit]
Smith at the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway with his family (left to right: son Jaden, wife Jada, Smith, daughter Willow)

During the late 1980s, Smith confirmed he briefly dated Sandra Denton, better known as Pepa of the hip-hop group Salt-N-Pepa.[154]

Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. Their son Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III was born on November 11, 1992.[155] The two divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1998 single "Just the Two of Us". He also acted in two episodes of the sitcom All of Us, and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the David Blaine: Real or Magic TV special.[156]

Smith married actress Jada Koren Pinkett on December 31, 1997.[157] They met when Pinkett auditioned for a role as Smith's character's girlfriend in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The pair produce films through their joint production company Overbrook Entertainment and Westbrook Inc.[158][159] Together they have two children: Jaden Smith (born 1998), his co-star in The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth; and Willow Smith (born 2000), who appeared as his daughter in I Am Legend.

Smith and his wife Jada have expressed unconventional practices in their marriage, jokingly calling their commitment "bad marriage for life".[160] Both he and Pinkett Smith have admitted to having extramarital relationships and believing in the freedom to pursue them. Smith has said he wanted a polyamorous relationship with actress Halle Berry and ballerina Misty Copeland but ultimately abandoned the idea after therapy.[161] In October 2023, Pinkett Smith stated that she and Smith had been separated since 2016, though they have no intention to divorce.[162]

In 2018, Smith celebrated his 50th birthday by performing a bungee jump from a helicopter in the Grand Canyon.[163] Smith was insured by Lloyd's of London for $200 million for the jump, which raised money for the charity Global Citizen.[164]

Religious and political views

[edit]

Smith was raised in a Baptist household and attended a Baptist church and Catholic school. In a 2013 interview, he said he did not identify as religious.[165][166] In 2015, Smith said in an interview with The Christian Post that his Christian faith, which was instilled in him by his grandmother, helped him to accurately portray Bennet Omalu in Concussion, saying: "She was my spiritual teacher, she was that grandmother at the church, the one having the kids doing the Easter presentations and putting on the Christmas plays and her kids and grandkids had to be first. She was the most spiritually certain person that I had ever met in my entire life. Even to the point that when she was dying she was happy, like she was really excited about going to heaven".[167] In 2018, Smith performed the Hindu rite of abhisheka of Shiva at Haridwar, India. He also performed an arti of the holy river Ganga. He has said that he feels a deep connection to Hindu spirituality and Indian astrology.[168] Smith and his family also met and spent time with the Indian spiritual leader Sadhguru, stating that he enjoyed the heartfelt conversations between them.[169]

Smith donated $4,600 to the 2008 presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.[170] On December 11, 2009, Smith and his wife hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate Obama's winning of the prize.[171] In 2012, Smith said he supported legalizing same-sex marriage.[172] In 2021, Smith announced that production of his upcoming film, Emancipation, was being pulled from the U.S. state of Georgia because of the recent passage of the Election Integrity Act of 2021, which critics viewed as a restrictive voting law, negatively impacting non-white voters. Smith and director Antoine Fuqua released a joint statement: "We cannot in good conscience provide economic support to a government that enacts regressive voting laws that are designed to restrict voter access".[173][174]

Public image and legacy

[edit]

Smith has often been noted for achieving groundbreaking success throughout his musical career, and with his work as an actor in television and film.[175][176][177] Forbes referred to him as the "biggest movie star of the post-9/11 era".[178] His transition from music to acting has influenced multiple rappers to also become actors, with him being cited as a pioneer for the rappers crossing over into acting by Complex.[179][180] In 2006, Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world;[181] in 2008, Esquire named him one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century.[182] Smith's roles as Agent J in Men in Black 3, Richard Williams in King Richard, and Daryl Ward in Bright are among the highest-paid film roles of all time, with him reportedly earning $100 million for Men in Black 3.[183][184] Smith's film Bright (2017), broke the record at the time for the most-viewed Netflix film ever for its first week,[185][186] His action thriller drama Emancipation (2022) was sold to Apple Studios for $120 million in June 2020, which made it the largest film festival acquisition deal in film history.[187]

His work as a member of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince made them the first rap act to win a Grammy Award, and the first to win an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video, when the song "Parents Just Don't Understand" won in the inaugural rap categories at both award show ceremonies.[11][188][189] XXL has referred to him as "one of the most important rappers of all time".[190] As of 2013, his debut solo album Big Willie Style (1997) is among the best-selling rap albums of all time.[191] Smith launched his acting career by starring in the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; the show's success is considered to be a watershed moment for Hip-Hop and Black television,[192][193] with some publications referring to it as one of the "Greatest Sitcoms of All Time".[194][195] Professor Andrew Horton said, "Smith's genre of comedy, popularized on the sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air translated well into commercial box-office appeal".[196] Author Willie Tolliver noted, "What The Fresh Prince did accomplish was to put Smith and his character Will into an environment of affluence and possibility, thus changing the terms of his own Black identity.".[197]

In 2022, Smith became the fifth black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, after Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, and Forest Whitaker.[104] Since winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for King Richard and slapping Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards, Smith's public image and legacy has been intensely debated with many saying the event has tainted his perception among many in the entertainment industry and beyond.[198][199][200][201] Ian Young of the BBC opined, "Will Smith went from beloved film favourite to Hollywood villain when he slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars last weekend. Has he done permanent damage to his image and career, and what might happen next?".[202] Smith's reputation as a morally upstanding family man, a prominent film star and legacy in Hollywood have all been put in peril with Greg Braxton of The Los Angeles Times noting, "Smith’s heroic stature inside and outside Black culture, and his carefully constructed persona as the patriarch of a celebrity family, only intensifies the fallout. And his actions have now placed his reputation in jeopardy." adding, "[Smith] turned a night that should have been full of pride into one that can be described only as “infamous.”[203] The New York Times reported Smith's actions would damage his "family brand".[125]

Acting credits and accolades

[edit]
Main articles: Will Smith filmography and List of awards and nominations received by Will Smith

Smith has received multiple awards throughout his career, including an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams, the prolific father and coach to championship tennis players Venus and Serena Williams, in the biopic King Richard (2021)—a role that also won him a Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award and Screen Actors Guild Award in the same category; he also received a producer nomination for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Prior to this award, he had been nominated several times for the Academy Award (2; for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness), the Golden Globe Award (5; for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Ali, The Pursuit of Happyness and Concussion), and the Screen Actors Guild Award (once for The Pursuit of Happyness). In 2005, he received the honorary César Award; that same year, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical for Fela!; and in 2021, he was nominated as a producer of Cobra Kai for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.

Aside from acting and behind-the-scenes work on screen and stage, Smith has made ventures into hip hop with the release of several songs, four of which won him Grammy Awards—one for Best Rap Performance (for "Parents Just Don't Understand"), one for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (for "Summertime"), and two for Best Rap Solo Performance (for "Men in Black" and "Gettin' Jiggy wit It"); the former two of which he won as a member of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. His Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award nominations make him one of few black actors to be nominated for all four major entertainment awards in the U.S.

On March 26, 2025, Smith attended a ceremony where his name was added to red stripes at the bottom of street signs along a block of 59th Street in west Philadelphia.[204]

Discography

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Main articles: Will Smith discography and DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince discography

See also

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References

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Further reading

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Will Smith

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Willard Carroll Smith Jr. (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper, and film producer whose career spans music, television, and blockbuster cinema.
Initially rising to prominence in the late 1980s as half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, Smith won four for rap performances, including for "" and "Summertime."
His acting breakthrough came with the The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), portraying a fictionalized version of himself and earning acclaim for blending comedy with on urban life.
Smith transitioned to film with action hits like Bad Boys (1995), Independence Day (1996), and Men in Black (1997), which collectively grossed billions worldwide and solidified his status as a top box-office draw.
Later dramatic roles in (2001), The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), and King Richard (2021)—for which he received the —demonstrated his range beyond genre fare.
A defining controversy occurred at the in 2022, when Smith walked onstage and slapped presenter after a joke about Smith's wife, , leading to his voluntary from the and a subsequent 10-year ban from its events.

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Smith II was born on September 25, 1968, in , , to Caroline Bright, a school board administrator, and Smith Sr., a refrigeration engineer born in 1939. He grew up as the second of four children in a middle-class household, with an older sister named Pamela and younger twins Harry and Ellen, all sharing the same parents. Smith's parents separated during his teenage years amid reports of domestic tensions, including by his father toward his mother, which Smith later recounted witnessing as a child; the couple formally divorced in 2000. His father, who died of cancer in 2016, had served in the U.S. Air Force prior to his civilian career, while his mother continued working in education administration.

Early Interests and Influences

Smith first developed an interest in hip-hop during his childhood in West Philadelphia, beginning to write raps at the age of 12. Initially incorporating curse words into his lyrics, he abandoned profanity after his grandmother discovered his notebook and expressed disappointment, stating she had raised him better; this incident shaped his commitment to clean, family-friendly content that differentiated him from much of contemporary rap. His early performances occurred at local parties and talent shows while attending Overbrook High School, where he honed a humorous, narrative-driven style influenced by Philadelphia's burgeoning hip-hop scene of block parties and DJ culture. At around age 16, Smith met Jeffrey "Jazzy Jeff" Townes, an aspiring DJ skilled in and mixing, during efforts to establish himself in the local rap community; their collaboration emphasized lighthearted, accessible tracks avoiding the tropes prevalent elsewhere. Beyond music, Smith's interests included and , reflecting a well-rounded amid his family's emphasis on and , though rap quickly became his primary pursuit over academic scholarships he nearly secured.

Music Career

Early Success with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, consisting of rapper Will Smith (as the Fresh Prince) and DJ Jeffrey Townes (as ), formed in in 1985 through the local hip-hop scene, where Townes had already gained recognition as a skilled turntablist. The duo signed with and released their debut single, "Girls Ain't Nothing but Trouble," in late 1987, followed by their first album, Rock the House, on April 7, 1987, which peaked at number 83 on the but introduced their clean, humorous style contrasting the emerging elsewhere. Their breakthrough came with the He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, released on March 29, 1988, which reached number 4 on the , achieved platinum certification by the RIAA for over one million units sold, and featured storytelling tracks emphasizing family-friendly themes over explicit content. The lead single, "," peaked at number 12 on the and number 6 on the chart, earning them the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance at the on February 22, 1989, as the only nominees in the newly created category. Subsequent releases like (1989, peaking at number 12 on the ) and (1991, number 12) sustained their momentum, with "Summertime" from the latter hitting number 4 on the Hot 100 and winning a second Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1992. Overall, sold over 5.5 million albums in the United States during their partnership, establishing Smith as a mainstream rap artist through accessible, narrative-driven songs that avoided and .

Solo Albums and Commercial Peaks

Smith's debut solo album, , released on November 25, 1997, by , marked his transition from duo work to individual artistry and achieved substantial commercial success. The album debuted at number one on the and was certified nine times platinum by the RIAA for over nine million units shipped in the United States, with worldwide sales exceeding 11.65 million copies. Key singles such as "," which topped the , and "" drove its momentum, blending pop-rap accessibility with Smith's charismatic delivery. These tracks have demonstrated enduring digital popularity, with "Miami" accumulating over 519 million streams and "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" over 443 million on Spotify as of December 2025, contributing to Smith's approximate 2.6 billion total streams on the platform. Following this peak, Smith's second solo effort, , arrived on November 16, 1999, reaching number five on the and earning double platinum certification from the RIAA for two million U.S. shipments. Global sales totaled approximately 3.335 million units, supported by tracks like "" featuring and , which peaked at number five on the Hot 100 despite mixed for its film origins. The album's performance reflected a solid but diminished return compared to its predecessor, amid Smith's growing film commitments. Subsequent releases showed further commercial tapering. Born to Reign, issued July 2, 2002, entered the Billboard 200 at number 13 and received gold certification from the RIAA for 500,000 U.S. units, with total sales around 270,000 worldwide; its lead single "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)" reached number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs chart but failed to replicate prior hits' ubiquity. By Lost and Found on March 29, 2005, via Interscope Records, initial sales of 98,446 units propelled a number six Billboard 200 debut, yet lifetime figures settled at about 560,000 globally, signaling waning music market interest as Smith's acting career dominated.
AlbumRelease DateBillboard 200 PeakU.S. CertificationWorldwide Sales (approx.)
Big Willie StyleNovember 25, 1997#19× Platinum11.65 million
WillenniumNovember 16, 1999#52× Platinum3.335 million
Born to ReignJuly 2, 2002#13Gold0.27 million
Lost and FoundMarch 29, 2005#6None0.56 million
These figures underscore as Smith's commercial apex in music, with later albums yielding progressively lower returns amid competition from evolving hip-hop trends and his pivot to cinema.

Later Ventures and 2025 Comeback Attempts

Following the release of his fourth studio album Lost and Found on March 29, 2005, which debuted at number six on the with first-week sales of 98,000 copies, Smith largely ceased producing new solo music, prioritizing his film career. Over the subsequent two decades, he made only occasional appearances, such as guest features on tracks by other artists, but released no full-length albums, marking a prolonged hiatus from rap amid his established success. In early 2025, Smith attempted a musical resurgence with the announcement of , his first solo album since 2005, scheduled for release on March 28 via an independent label. Preceding the album, he issued singles including "Beautiful Scars" featuring and OBanga on January 30, which referenced the 2022 Oscars incident where Smith physically assaulted comedian onstage, and a "Lunch Break Freestyle" in March. The album itself incorporated lyrics on the slap's aftermath, personal accountability, and family dynamics, with Smith describing the project as stemming from "deep-dive soul searching" post-2022. A follow-up single, "Pretty Girls," accompanied by an official video, emerged in June. Commercially, the comeback faltered, with achieving negligible sales, including just 268 physical copies in the UK during its debut week, failing to enter major charts like the Billboard 200. Critical reception was largely unfavorable; Rolling Stone critiqued it as "clunky and sullied by the fallout of the 2022 Oscars," arguing it prioritized defensiveness over musical innovation despite potential for authenticity. The effort drew further scrutiny in August 2025 when Smith faced accusations of employing to fabricate crowd scenes in promotional videos, exacerbating perceptions of a self-inflicted setback amid the relaunch.

Television Career

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and TV Breakthrough

, an American sitcom that aired on , marked Will Smith's entry into television acting as the protagonist, portraying a fictionalized version of himself—a teenager from relocated to live with affluent relatives in . The series debuted on September 10, 1990, and concluded on May 20, 1996, spanning six seasons and 148 episodes. Produced by and , the concept drew from Medina's own experiences rising from poverty in Watts to affluence, which he pitched to Smith amid the latter's financial distress. Smith accepted the role under duress, facing $2.8 million in unpaid taxes to the IRS following the commercial failure of his second album, Born to Reign, compounded by extravagant spending on luxury items. Prior to the show, Smith's music career with DJ Jazzy Jeff had yielded Grammy wins but left him nearly bankrupt due to mismanagement. Jones, impressed by Smith's appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show, intervened to secure the opportunity, averting potential bankruptcy. The program achieved steady popularity, with ratings improving over its run despite not consistently ranking in the top Nielsen tiers. It garnered critical notice for its blend of humor and on class and race dynamics. Smith received Golden Globe nominations for in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 1993 and 1994. The series earned 32 award nominations overall, including Emmys for technical categories like lighting direction, though it secured fewer wins. This role propelled Smith from rap performer to mainstream television star, providing a platform to hone comedic timing and dramatic skills absent in his prior music videos and minor acting appearances. The show's success facilitated his pivot to film, establishing him as a versatile entertainer capable of broad appeal.

Film Career

Initial Film Roles and Breakthrough

Smith's feature film debut occurred in 1992 with the independent drama , where he portrayed Manny, a crippled homeless engaged in dealing alongside a group of street runaways. In 1993, he took a supporting role as Tea Cake Walters in the comedy Made in America, starring opposite as Sarah Mathews, a widow who discovers her daughter's biological father is white sperm donor Hal Jackson (); Smith's character serves as a romantic interest subplot amid the film's exploration of racial and familial themes. That same year marked Smith's first leading film role in Six Degrees of Separation, an adaptation of John Guare's play directed by Fred Schepisi, in which he played Paul, a charismatic con artist who deceives a wealthy Manhattan couple (Donald Sutherland and Stockard Channing) by claiming to be the son of actor Sidney Poitier and weaving tales of personal hardship and artistic ambition. The performance represented a departure from his comedic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air persona, earning praise for demonstrating dramatic range, though the film underperformed commercially with a domestic gross of about $6.3 million against a $10 million budget. Smith achieved his cinematic breakthrough with the 1995 buddy-cop action comedy Bad Boys, co-starring as Detective Mike Lowrey opposite Martin Lawrence's Marcus Burnett, two Miami narcotics officers racing to recover stolen drugs and protect a witness amid high-stakes chases and banter. Directed by in his feature directorial debut and produced by Don Simpson and on a $19 million budget, the film grossed $65.8 million domestically and $141.4 million worldwide, capitalizing on Smith's charisma and the duo's chemistry to transition him from television star to bankable action lead.

Rise to Blockbuster Leading Man

Smith's transition to feature films accelerated with Bad Boys (1995), an directed by in which he starred alongside as Miami narcotics detectives pursuing stolen drugs. Released on April 7, 1995, the film was produced on a $19 million budget and earned $141 million worldwide, including $65.8 million domestically and $75.6 million internationally, marking a significant commercial success that showcased Smith's charisma in high-energy buddy-cop dynamics. This momentum propelled him into Independence Day (1996), a science-fiction directed by where Smith played Captain Steven Hiller, a battling alien invaders. Released on July 3, 1996, it grossed $817 million worldwide against a $75 million budget, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year and establishing Smith as a bankable lead capable of anchoring tentpole summer releases with mass appeal through action sequences and patriotic themes. Smith consolidated his status with Men in Black (1997), a sci-fi comedy directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, in which he portrayed Agent J, a novice recruit partnering with Tommy Lee Jones's veteran Agent K to police extraterrestrial activity on Earth. The film, released on July 2, 1997, generated $589 million globally, earning acclaim for its blend of humor, effects, and Smith's affable screen presence, which critics noted elevated the material and positioned him as Hollywood's premier action-comedy draw following his prior hits. Expanding into thrillers, (1998), directed by , featured Smith as a labor attorney ensnared in a government conspiracy alongside . Released on November 20, 1998, the film capitalized on timely post-Cold War paranoia about privacy and technology, contributing to Smith's streak of consecutive box-office performers that demonstrated his versatility beyond into tense, plot-driven narratives. By the late 1990s, Smith's string of hits—from Bad Boys onward—had grossed over $1.5 billion cumulatively, reflecting audience demand for his combination of physicality, wit, and star power, which studio executives leveraged for franchise potential and broad demographic reach.

Sustained Success and Diversification

Smith achieved sustained commercial success in the 2000s, starring in eight consecutive films that each grossed over $100 million domestically between 2002 and 2008, a record for any actor. This streak encompassed sequels like Men in Black II (2002), which earned $441.8 million worldwide, and Bad Boys II (2003), grossing $273.5 million globally. Action and sci-fi entries such as I, Robot (2004) followed, generating $347.2 million internationally, while romantic comedy Hitch (2005) amassed $371.6 million. Diversification into dramatic roles marked a shift from pure blockbusters, beginning with his portrayal of in (2001), which earned him an Academy Award nomination for despite mixed reviews and $87.7 million worldwide gross. He further demonstrated range in (2006), playing struggling salesman and securing another nomination, with the film yielding $307.1 million globally. Sci-fi epics like I Am Legend (2007), grossing $585.4 million, and superhero film Hancock (2008), at $624.4 million, blended high-stakes action with introspective elements, sustaining his box office draw. Into the 2010s, Smith continued leveraging franchises for reliability, with Men in Black 3 (2012) achieving $654.2 million worldwide through time-travel action. He explored varied genres including heist comedy in Focus (2015) and animated musical as the Genie in Disney's live-action Aladdin (2019), which topped $1.05 billion globally, highlighting his adaptability across family-oriented and spectacle-driven formats. These projects underscored a career balancing mass appeal with selective artistic risks, contributing to films grossing over $10 billion worldwide in total.

King Richard Oscar Win and Immediate Aftermath

On March 27, 2022, during the at the in , Will Smith won the for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father and coach of stars Venus and Serena Williams, in the biographical film King Richard. This marked Smith's first Oscar victory after previous nominations for (2001) and (2006), with critics praising his performance for capturing Williams's unyielding vision and family devotion amid skepticism from coaches and the tennis establishment. Earlier in the ceremony, while presenter joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head—comparing it to Demi Moore's in and alluding to her publicly disclosed —Smith approached the stage, slapped Rock across the face with an open hand, and returned to his seat, shouting twice, "Keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth!" The incident, witnessed live by an audience of Hollywood elites and broadcast to millions, disrupted the event; producers briefly considered removing Smith but allowed it to proceed as he remained seated. Approximately 40 minutes after the slap, Smith accepted the award, delivered onstage by presenters , , and . In his acceptance speech, Smith tearfully addressed the earlier altercation, framing it as a defense of his family—"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family"—while apologizing to the , fellow nominees, and Williams family but not directly to Rock, invoking Denzel Washington's advice that "the devil disguises himself as a critic." He emphasized themes of protection in the face of adversity, tying it to his role in King Richard. In the hours and days following, Smith faced widespread condemnation for the physical altercation, with the Academy issuing a statement expressing dismay and launching a formal review on March 28, 2022. Smith apologized publicly via on March 28, acknowledging his actions as unacceptable, expressing regret for overshadowing honorees, and specifically apologizing to Rock for the harm caused by "out of line" behavior driven by protectiveness toward his wife. On April 1, 2022, he resigned from the of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to avoid further disciplinary proceedings, stating it was the right course despite his love for the organization. The Academy's board imposed a 10-year ban on April 8, 2022, prohibiting Smith from attending any Academy events or programs, including future Oscars ceremonies, though he retained his Oscar statuette. This sanction aimed to restore trust and protect participants, amid calls from figures like and for accountability while some defended Smith's emotional context tied to his wife's health.

Post-2022 Projects and Career Challenges

Following the incident, Smith's first major film release was , a historical action thriller directed by , in which he portrayed Peter, an enslaved man escaping a plantation after the . The film, produced by Apple's Apple Original Films with a reported budget exceeding $120 million, received mixed critical reception, earning a 45% approval rating on from 155 reviews, with praise for Smith's intense physical performance amid criticisms of formulaic plotting and historical inaccuracies. Theatrically, it underperformed with approximately $15 million in domestic earnings from a limited release starting December 2, 2022, before shifting to streaming on Apple TV+ on December 9, 2022, where it achieved significant viewership but failed to recoup costs primarily through subscriptions rather than ticket sales. In 2024, Smith starred in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment in the action-comedy franchise, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, reprising his role as Detective Mike Lowrey alongside . Released on June 7, 2024, the film grossed $193 million domestically and over $426 million worldwide against a $100 million budget, marking a commercial success and Smith's strongest performance since 2016's . Critics gave it a 65% score, noting its high-energy action and franchise familiarity as crowd-pleasers despite predictable storytelling. The project's advancement, despite initial pauses by in the immediate post-incident period, signaled a partial career rebound anchored in established IP. As of September 2025, Smith secured a first-look deal with Paramount Pictures focused on franchise films, potentially facilitating sequels or expansions of prior hits. Announced projects include I Am Legend 2, a sequel to the 2007 film co-starring Michael B. Jordan, with production updates indicating ongoing development but no firm release date. Smith also announced Pole to Pole with Will Smith, a seven-part docuseries produced by National Geographic premiering January 13, 2026, on the network and streaming the following day on Disney+, in which he undertakes a journey from pole to pole accompanied by scientists, explorers, and experts. Other titles in various stages, such as Fast and Loose (a Netflix heist thriller initially paused post-incident but later revived) and a remake of Planes, Trains and Automobiles, remain unconfirmed for timelines amid Hollywood's shifting priorities. The 2022 Oscars slap precipitated significant career hurdles, including a 10-year ban from events imposed on April 8, 2022, prohibiting attendance at the Oscars or other programs, though it did not bar his films from eligibility or nominations. Several projects faced delays, with halting Fast and Loose and reevaluating Bad Boys 4 (later greenlit as Ride or Die), reflecting industry caution over brand association risks rather than outright cancellations. Post-slap popularity metrics showed a sharp decline in positive sentiment, per social listening data, contributing to selective partnerships and a pivot toward streaming and sequels over original prestige roles. Reports in 2025 highlighted persistent "long-tail" effects, including property sales amid reduced high-profile offers, though empirical recovery via Ride or Die underscores Smith's enduring draw in action genres despite diminished awards-circuit viability.

Production and Business Activities

Westbrook Inc. and Production Work

Westbrook Inc., a company, was established in July 2019 by Will Smith and , along with executives Miguel Melendez and Ko Yada, as a cross-platform holding entity to oversee the Smith family's content production across , , and digital media. The venture incorporated existing subsidiaries like Westbrook Studios, which had already been producing content such as the Facebook Watch series , focusing on candid discussions among women across generations. Under Westbrook's banner, expanded significantly, earning a Emmy in 2021 for Outstanding Informative Talk Show after defeating competitors including The 3rd Hour of Today. The series, produced by Westbrook Studios, featured high-profile episodes addressing personal and cultural topics, contributing to the company's early acclaim in unscripted programming. Westbrook also entered scripted television with Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of , developed in partnership with and premiered on Peacock in February 2022. The series updated the original sitcom's premise to contemporary , emphasizing themes of class disparity and family dynamics, and received Emmy consideration for its production values in subsequent years. Additionally, Westbrook contributed to feature film production, including the 2022 Apple TV+ release , directed by and starring Will Smith as an enslaved man escaping a plantation in 1863. In January 2022, Westbrook secured a minority investment from a Blackstone-backed firm led by former Disney executives and Tom Staggs, providing capital for expanded film and television development. By 2024, the company bolstered its studio operations by hiring key executives, including as head of creative development, to support ongoing and future projects. Recent initiatives include a July 2025 strategic partnership with Studio Azuki, a U.S.-based , aimed at blending Hollywood narratives with anime-style production for global audiences. In September 2025, Westbrook signed a with , prioritizing the creation of broad-appeal theatrical films following the studio's merger with . These agreements underscore Westbrook's shift toward high-profile scripted content amid evolving industry partnerships.

Investments and Financial Ventures

Will Smith has pursued investments in technology startups, venture capital, and consumer brands as a means of diversifying his wealth beyond entertainment production. Through direct and fund-based commitments, he has allocated capital to early-stage companies, with a focus on innovative sectors like fitness tech, blockchain, and media analytics. In 2018, Smith co-founded Dreamers VC, a Los Angeles-based venture fund targeting early-stage investments in technology and related fields, alongside partners including Japanese footballer Keisuke Honda and investors Kosaku Yada and Takeshi Nakanishi. The fund participated in Boba Network's $45 million Series A round in April 2022, supporting the blockchain scaling project's development. Dreamers VC has also backed other tech ventures, contributing to Smith's broader angel investment portfolio of approximately 13 companies spanning high tech, enterprise applications, and consumer sectors. Notable direct investments include a $30 million stake in Julep Beauty, Inc., a brand emphasizing personalized products, and $650,000 in BioBeats in 2013, a company developing music-based programs. Smith has further committed funds to Tonal, a smart home fitness platform utilizing digital resistance technology, and Invisible Universe, an producing content. These ventures align with his strategy of backing scalable innovations, though specific returns remain undisclosed in public records.

Personal Life

First Marriage and Early Fatherhood

Will Smith met actress Sheree Zampino in 1991 while working on the set of the television series , though he had initially pursued Jada Pinkett (later his second wife) for a role that did not materialize due to her height. The couple began dating shortly thereafter and married on May 9, 1992, when Smith was 23 years old. Their union lasted three years, marked by the rapid transition into parenthood amid Smith's rising fame from . On November 11, 1992, Zampino gave birth to their son, Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III, in Los Angeles, California, making Smith a at age 24. Early fatherhood proved challenging for Smith, who later reflected on initial anxieties rooted in his own strained relationship with his , Daddio Smith, describing fears of repeating generational patterns of absence and emotional distance. Despite these concerns, Smith incorporated Trey into his public life early, including family appearances that highlighted his commitment to balancing career demands with during The Fresh Prince's peak popularity. The marriage deteriorated due to incompatibilities and the pressures of Smith's burgeoning Hollywood career, with Zampino citing personal unhappiness as the primary reason for her decision to leave, explicitly denying infidelity by Smith as a factor. The couple separated in 1995, with their divorce finalized that December after Zampino filed earlier in the year. Smith has since described the divorce as his "ultimate failure," expressing regret over its impact on Trey, who was two years old at the time, and crediting the experience with prompting personal growth in his approach to family responsibilities. Post-divorce, Smith maintained joint custody and a cooperative co-parenting relationship with Zampino, prioritizing Trey's stability amid his own career ascent.

Relationship with Jada Pinkett Smith

Will Smith met Jada Pinkett in 1994 during her audition for the role of his on-screen girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a part she did not get due to her height of 5 feet compared to Smith's 6 feet 2 inches. They began dating in 1995, shortly after Smith's divorce from Sheree Zampino. The couple married on December 31, 1997, in a private ceremony at the Cloisters Mansion in , , with Jada three months pregnant. They have two children together: son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, born July 8, 1998, and daughter Willow Camille Reign Smith, born October 31, 2000. Smith and Pinkett have publicly described their union as a "life partnership" rather than a conventional , with Pinkett stating in 2021 that she never believed in traditional marital structures. In a July 2020 episode of , Pinkett disclosed a romantic "entanglement" with singer during a separation period from Smith around 2016, which Alsina claimed lasted several years and had Smith's initial blessing—a detail Smith disputed. In October 2023, Pinkett revealed in her memoir Worthy and interviews that she and Smith had been separated since 2016, citing exhaustion from repeated attempts to reconcile, though they remain legally married without pursuing divorce. As of September 2025, they were observed together in Malibu, California, marking a rare joint appearance amid reports of financial interdependence preventing formal dissolution.

Family Dynamics and Children's Careers

Will Smith has three children: Willard Christopher "Trey" Smith III, born November 11, 1992, to his first wife Sheree Zampino; Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, born July 8, 1998; and Willow Camille Reign Smith, born October 31, 2000, both with second wife . The family has publicly emphasized a non-traditional structure, with Smith and Pinkett Smith describing their marriage as an evolving partnership marked by periods of separation without since at least 2016, during which they prioritized co-parenting and individual growth. Smith has reflected critically on his parenting approach with Jaden and Willow, admitting in June 2025 that a "" style—intended to foster independence by avoiding overprotection—backfired, leading to unintended emotional distance. He cited a 2011 incident where 10-year-old Willow shaved her head after he initially overrode her desire to end a tour, prompting a shift toward greater over strict autonomy. With Trey, co-parenting with Zampino involved early collaboration, as Smith and Pinkett Smith raised him together post-divorce in 1995, though dynamics evolved with Trey's greater distance from the entertainment spotlight. Trey Smith pursued music as a DJ under the alias AcE, releasing tracks and collaborating with Jaden and Willow, while making minor acting appearances in shows like All of Us (2003) and shorts such as The Speech (2008); he also played high school football but has largely maintained a lower-profile career outside major commercial success. Jaden Smith debuted as an actor in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) opposite his father, earning an MTV award, and starred in The Karate Kid (2010) remake; he later transitioned to music as a rapper and singer with releases like the mixtape The Cool Cafe (2018), blending acting, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy such as youth ambassadorship for Project Zambia. Willow Smith began acting in I Am Legend (2007) with her father and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008), earning a Young Artist Award, before launching music with the hit "Whip My Hair" (2010), which peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100; subsequent albums include Ardipithecus (2015) and Willow (2021), alongside ventures like co-hosting Red Table Talk and brand endorsements, amassing an estimated $6 million net worth by 2025 through diversified entertainment pursuits. The children's early entries into Hollywood, often produced or promoted by their parents, reflect familial support intertwined with nepotistic advantages, though each has navigated independent creative paths amid public scrutiny of the family's unconventional dynamics.

Beliefs and Worldviews

Religious Evolution from Baptist Roots to Eclectic Spirituality

Will Smith was raised in a Baptist household in , where he attended Baptist church services as a child and was exposed to strong Christian influences through his family. His grandmother, characterized as embodying an "" approach, emphasized biblical teachings and moral discipline, shaping his early with a foundation in scriptural authority and judgment. This upbringing instilled a respect for God's role in personal success, as Smith later reflected that his achievements would not have been possible without faith in a . As an adult, Smith diverged from strict denominational affiliation, exploring broader spiritual traditions and rejecting rigid . In a 2013 interview, he stated he did not consider himself religious, signaling a shift toward individualized . He read the from cover to cover during and studied Buddhist teachings, integrating elements from and Eastern philosophies into his perspective. This culminated in his adoption of Ali's philosophy that "my is ," prioritizing universal over doctrinal exclusivity. Smith pursued experiential spirituality through practices like ceremonies, traveling to during a personal crisis and participating 14 times between 2019 and 2020 to confront inner traumas and foster growth. He described this as a quest for deeper connection beyond material success, hoping for "something else" amid fame's . In a 2025 interview with Christian rapper , Smith articulated his evolved beliefs as a "brand new" state of healing, acknowledging human sinfulness while emphasizing divine presence and love as core tenets, drawn from his Baptist roots but unbound by them. This synthesis reflects a causal progression from structured childhood to a self-directed, syncretic approach prioritizing personal enlightenment over institutional .

Political Views and Public Statements

Will Smith has expressed support for Democratic figures, notably praising ahead of his 2009 inauguration as a symbol of progress and unity. In a 2015 interview, Smith indicated openness to political involvement, stating that continued inflammatory rhetoric from Republican candidates like on issues such as and could compel him to run for president himself. He reiterated this sentiment in a podcast, discussing his potential entry into amid broader cultural debates. Smith has been vocally critical of Trump, describing the widespread support for his 2016 presidential campaign as "collective insanity" driven by fear rather than reason, while expressing faith in America's ultimate rejection of such trends. During promotion for Suicide Squad in Dubai that August, he condemned Trump's comments on women as emblematic of broader societal regression, linking them to rising Islamophobia. A 2016 statement where Smith called for America to "cleanse" itself of divisive ideas associated with Trump's base was later misconstrued by some outlets as advocating against supporters personally; in context, he targeted the propagation of hate and fear, not individuals. Public records show no significant federal political donations from Smith, suggesting his engagement remains primarily through statements rather than financial backing. In 2021, he teased future political aspirations without committing, framing them as a response to persistent national divisions. Overall, Smith's views align with progressive critiques of conservatism, emphasizing unity and opposition to perceived bigotry, though he has avoided formal party endorsement or deep policy advocacy.

Major Controversies

Scientology Ties and Family Involvement

Will Smith has repeatedly denied membership in the , stating in a 2008 interview that he respects the organization but is not affiliated as a . Despite this, Smith has maintained social and financial ties to Scientology figures, including attending church-organized galas and events with prominent members like , with whom he developed a friendship following Jada Pinkett Smith's role in the 1997 film Men in Black alongside Cruise. Smith has also donated to Scientology-affiliated initiatives, such as a $20,000 contribution in 2008 to the church's anti-drug program , though he framed these as support for specific charitable efforts rather than endorsement of the religion. Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith's wife since 1997, has acknowledged a deeper engagement with Scientology's principles without formal membership. In her 2023 memoir Worthy, she described being drawn to L. Ron Hubbard's teachings on self-improvement and applying them personally, stating she "embraced" aspects like auditing techniques for emotional processing but explicitly avoided joining the church to prevent interference with her spiritual autonomy. Pinkett Smith has faced criticism from former Scientologists, including , who in 2017 asserted that Pinkett Smith had been involved "a long time" and recruited others during her association, though the two publicly reconciled in 2018 on Pinkett Smith's , where Remini clarified her intent was not to label her a full member. The Smith family's most direct involvement centers on education. In 2008, they founded the in , leasing the facility for approximately $1 million and funding its first three years of operation. The school incorporated Hubbard's "Study Technology," a method emphasizing word clearing and barrier removal for learning, with multiple staff members identified as , including the headmaster who later described it as a "total school" operating under disguised branding to avoid scrutiny. Parents withdrew enrollment upon discovering these ties, contributing to the academy's closure by 2013; the Smiths maintained it was not a institution but a progressive alternative focused on . Their children, Jaden and , attended the school and were homeschooled using similar -derived methods, which Pinkett Smith credited in Worthy for enabling "100 percent attendance" and superior outcomes compared to conventional , though critics attribute the family's unconventional child-rearing philosophies—evident in Jaden and Willow's public statements on rejecting as ""—to these influences. Smith's eldest son, Trey, from his first marriage, has no documented involvement with these educational efforts or .

2022 Oscars Slap with Chris Rock

During the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, comedian Chris Rock, while presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature, made an impromptu joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, stating, "Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referencing the 1997 film G.I. Jane in which Demi Moore sported a similar hairstyle. Pinkett Smith, seated in the audience with Smith, displayed a visible reaction of disapproval, later described by her as hurt, amid her ongoing public discussions of alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition causing hair loss that she had disclosed in 2018 on her show Red Table Talk. Smith initially laughed at the remark but then stood, approached the stage, and slapped Rock across the face with an open hand, an action captured live on broadcast. He returned to his seat and shouted twice, "Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth!" The incident disrupted the proceedings, with Rock briefly stunned before resuming by saying, "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me," and proceeding to announce the winner, . Approximately 40 minutes later, Smith accepted the Oscar for King Richard, during which he tearfully justified his actions by invoking defense of family, referencing biblical figures like and citing advice from about "the devil" exploiting greater heights, while apologizing to the , fellow nominees, and others but not directly to Rock. Producers did not halt the broadcast or remove Smith immediately, citing concerns over further disruption. Rock declined to press charges against Smith, as confirmed the following day. In the ensuing days, Smith issued a public apology on Instagram on March 28, 2022, acknowledging his behavior as unacceptable and expressing regret for the physical and emotional toll on Rock, though some observers noted it emphasized personal failings over direct amends. On April 1, 2022, Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, barring himself from voting privileges, prior to any formal disciplinary action. The Academy's Board of Governors imposed a 10-year ban on April 8, 2022, prohibiting Smith from attending Oscar ceremonies or other Academy events or programs, effective immediately, though he retained his Oscar statuette and eligibility for future nominations and wins. Smith responded by accepting the decision as appropriate accountability. The slap drew widespread condemnation for introducing physical violence into a high-profile entertainment event, with figures like Washington and privately counseling Smith backstage, and public discourse highlighting tensions between free speech in and personal boundaries, particularly regarding health-related appearances. Smith elaborated in a July 29, 2022, video apology, describing the act as stemming from unhealed trauma and vowing personal growth, while Rock addressed it extensively in his March 2023 Netflix special Selective Outrage, critiquing the incident and its handling without prior reconciliation. By 2025, Smith reflected on the ban's impact, noting its exclusion from industry events while maintaining career projects. The event prompted Academy reviews of crisis protocols but no broader policy overhauls.

2025 AI Usage in Music Promotion

In August 2025, Will Smith shared a promotional video on for his "" rap tour comeback, depicting him performing onstage to a large, cheering during a European stop. The footage, posted on August 12, quickly drew scrutiny from online viewers who identified visual artifacts indicative of AI generation, including distorted facial features, malformed fingers on audience members, and unnaturally synchronized movements lacking organic variation. Accusations proliferated across and news outlets, with critics alleging the AI augmentation served to fabricate a larger, more enthusiastic audience than actually present, potentially to bolster the tour's perceived success amid Smith's return to music after years focused on . Specific glitches cited included eerie uniformity in crowd gestures and around edges of purported fans, which forensic analysis by users suggested stemmed from generative AI models trained on limited datasets, failing to replicate real human diversity. Smith neither confirmed nor denied the use of AI in the original video, but the backlash framed it as a self-inflicted misstep, exacerbating perceptions of inauthenticity following prior controversies. On September 1, Smith addressed the uproar indirectly by releasing a follow-up clip showing him to an composed entirely of AI-generated cats with exaggerated, cartoonish reactions, captioned to mock the situation. This humorous response garnered over 10 million views but divided opinions: supporters viewed it as lighthearted , while detractors argued it evaded accountability and trivialized AI's disruptive potential in music marketing, where synthetic content could mislead consumers on artist draw. The cat video itself employed similar AI techniques, reinforcing suspicions of reliance on such tools without disclosure. The episode highlighted ethical tensions in AI-assisted promotion within the music sector, where tools like deepfake generators enable cost-effective illusion of popularity but risk eroding fan trust through detectable imperfections—such as the video's low-resolution anomalies—and invite regulatory scrutiny over deceptive practices. Industry observers noted that while AI has been used legitimately for in videos (e.g., Billy Joel's prior AI-enhanced clip), Smith's case exemplified misuse for hype inflation, prompting calls for labeling to preserve realism in live performance narratives. No formal investigation ensued, but the controversy underscored AI's dual role as and authenticity threat in artist branding as of late 2025.

Public Image and Legacy

Pre-Scandal Icon Status and Cultural Impact

Will Smith initially gained prominence in music as part of the duo , achieving commercial success with their 1987 album Rock the House and winning the inaugural Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "." This early accolade, shared with collaborator Jeff Townes, marked Smith as a pioneer in mainstream rap acceptance, with the duo securing three additional Grammys by 1998 for tracks including "Summertime" and "Men in Black." Transitioning to television without prior acting experience, Smith starred in from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996, portraying a version of himself navigating class contrasts in upscale , which drew consistent viewership and ranked among Nielsen's top programs in early seasons. The sitcom's blend of comedy and subtle social insights on family and urban life propelled Smith's charismatic persona into households, establishing him as a relatable figure bridging street culture and affluence. Smith's film career exploded with leading roles in high-grossing blockbusters, beginning with Independence Day (1996), where he played a battling aliens, contributing to the film's $817 million worldwide gross and status as that year's top earner. The following year's Men in Black, in which Smith portrayed neutralizing extraterrestrial threats, amassed nearly $600 million globally, spawning a franchise and highlighting his adeptness at action-comedy hybrids. By the early , Smith held the record as the only actor with eight consecutive domestic releases exceeding $100 million, including Bad Boys II (2003) and I, Robot (2004), demonstrating his unparalleled commercial draw and ability to anchor summer tentpoles. These successes, totaling billions in global earnings across three decades, positioned him as Hollywood's premier box-office attraction pre-2022. Culturally, Smith's pre-scandal trajectory represented a model of aspirational mobility, leveraging rap roots into broad appeal without alienating mainstream audiences, as seen in his soundtrack hits topping charts alongside film dominance. His portrayals often emphasized clever heroism and paternal responsibility, influencing perceptions of male leads in family-oriented and fostering global franchises that integrated humor with spectacle. This era cemented Smith's icon status through consistent, high-stakes output that prioritized value over edginess, earning him a reputation for reliability in an industry favoring proven stars.

Post-Controversy Shifts and Resilience Critiques

Following the 2022 Oscars incident, Will Smith experienced a temporary withdrawal from major Hollywood productions, with studios allowing time for public sentiment to subside before resuming collaborations. His first post-slap , Emancipation (released December 2022), garnered mixed critical reception and underperformed commercially relative to expectations, prompting descriptions of an "apology tour" in its promotion. By , Smith starred in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, which grossed over $400 million worldwide and was cited as evidence of audience forgiveness, though industry observers noted persistent hesitancy from some executives due to reputational risks. This shift marked a pivot toward franchise revivals rather than original leading roles, contrasting his pre-2022 dominance in high-profile originals. In 2025, Smith released his first full-length album in over two decades, , which introspectively addressed personal controversies including the slap and family dynamics, receiving varied acclaim for its candor but criticism for uneven execution. Concurrently, promotional efforts for his rap tour drew backlash when videos featured apparent AI-generated crowds with distorted faces and bodies, interpreted by detractors as an attempt to inflate perceived popularity amid sparse attendance. Smith responded with a humorous AI-generated video, which some viewed as evasive rather than accountable, exacerbating perceptions of a "self-inflicted PR nightmare." This incident highlighted a broader post-controversy toward digital and music ventures, potentially compensating for Hollywood's cautious reintegration. Critiques of Smith's resilience emphasize incomplete recovery, with reports in March 2025 describing ongoing "long-tail consequences" from the slap, including limited A-list offers and public wariness. While proponents highlight box-office rebounds and Grammy nods as proof of enduring appeal, skeptics argue these mask deeper damages, such as eroded trust in high-stakes projects and reliance on nostalgia-driven sequels. The 2025 AI controversy, in particular, fueled arguments that Smith's strategies reflect desperation rather than genuine rebound, with outlets labeling the comeback "a disaster" due to missteps undermining authenticity. Empirical data, like Bad Boys' success versus Emancipation's middling $115 million global haul, supports a narrative of selective viability rather than full restoration.

Overall Achievements Versus Criticisms

Will Smith's acting career achieved unprecedented commercial success, starring in films that collectively grossed nearly $7 billion worldwide, establishing him as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. He holds the record as the only actor with eight consecutive releases exceeding $100 million domestically at the box office, including blockbusters like Independence Day (1996, $817 million worldwide) and Men in Black (1997, $589 million worldwide). This streak underscored his appeal in action-comedy genres, where films such as Bad Boys (1995) and Hancock (2008) further demonstrated his draw, with the latter earning $624 million globally despite mixed critical reception. In music, Smith transitioned from duo success with —winning the first Grammy for Best Rap Performance in 1989—to solo hits, topping the UK Singles Chart with "Men in Black" in 1997 and releasing albums like (1997) that sold millions. His multifaceted career yielded an estimated of $350 million by 2025, derived from acting salaries often exceeding $20 million per film, production deals, and endorsements. Critically, he earned an for King Richard (2021), validating dramatic range amid predominantly commercial output. Criticisms of Smith's career center on personal conduct overshadowing professional output, particularly the 2022 Oscars incident, which prompted a 10-year ban and predictions of a "Hollywood timeout," though he resumed major projects like Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024). Reports in 2025 indicate lingering backlash, with stalled deals and public perception shifts contributing to uneven post-controversy performance, including his 2025 album failing to chart on and selling only 268 UK copies in its debut week. Detractors argue his reliance on formulaic blockbusters limited artistic depth, with films like (2013) bombing critically and commercially ($243 million against high expectations), exposing vulnerabilities beyond peak years. Overall, Smith's achievements—financial dominance and crossover appeal—eclipsed isolated criticisms in sustaining elite status, as evidenced by continued high-profile roles and wealth accumulation, though scandals eroded some goodwill without fully derailing earning power. His resilience reflects market forgiveness for proven draws, yet recent ventures highlight risks from personal entanglements amplifying scrutiny in an industry sensitive to conduct.

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  163. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1wvP0delLg
  164. https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2015/dec/18/will-smith-if-donald-trumps-comments-continue-ill-be-forced-to-run-for-president-video
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  167. https://time.com/4435100/will-smith-donald-trump-women/
  168. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5inqk31pLU
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  170. https://www.foxnews.com/video/5078506859001
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  181. https://www.newsweek.com/will-smith-jada-pinkett-smiths-school-was-total-scientology-says-former-headmaster-1520730
  182. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12641865/Jada-Pinkett-Smith-defends-using-Scientology-homeschool-kids-Willow-Jaden-claims-BETTER-traditional-learning.html
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  185. https://people.com/movies/oscars-2022-will-smith-slaps-chris-rock-jada-pinkett-smith-hair-joke-gi-jane/
  186. https://www.npr.org/2022/03/29/1089474060/jada-pinkett-smith-calls-for-healing-after-hair-joke-oscars-slap
  187. https://apnews.com/article/will-smith-oscars-ban-664346ac2d2441939764f35be2d8026b
  188. https://abc7.com/post/will-smith-apology-chris-rock-slap-oscars-2022/12082207/
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  190. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/will-smith-ai-crowd-tour-video-1235415353/
  191. https://www.nbcnews.com/video/will-smith-accused-of-using-ai-to-fake-crowds-in-concert-video-245829701977
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  195. https://www.forbes.com/sites/edwardsegal/2025/08/30/actor-will-smiths-new-videos-raise-fresh-concerns-about-the-use-of-ai/
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  217. https://www.netflixjunkie.com/hollywood-news-what-is-will-smiths-net-worth-and-salary-in-2025
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  221. https://abc7news.com/post/will-smith-apology-chris-rock-slap-career/11688662/
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