Will Smith's Life in Pictures, in Honor of His 54th Birthday

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Chris Cuffaio/NBCU/Getty

01of 18Will Smith’s Early LifeSeth Poppel/Yearbook Library"West Philadelphia born and raised" was, in fact, whereWill Smithspent most of his days. The Pennsylvania native was born on Sept. 25, 1968 todad Willard Carroll Smith Sr.and mom Caroline Bright and has an older sister named Pamela andyounger twin siblingsnamed Harry and Ellen.Growing up, Smith had a complicated relationship with his father, penning in his2021 memoirabout a specific time he witnessed his father abuse his mother at age nine.“That moment in that bedroom, probably more than any other moment in my life, has defined who I am,” wrote Smith.

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Will Smith’s Early Life

Seth Poppel/Yearbook Library

“West Philadelphia born and raised” was, in fact, whereWill Smithspent most of his days. The Pennsylvania native was born on Sept. 25, 1968 todad Willard Carroll Smith Sr.and mom Caroline Bright and has an older sister named Pamela andyounger twin siblingsnamed Harry and Ellen.

Growing up, Smith had a complicated relationship with his father, penning in his2021 memoirabout a specific time he witnessed his father abuse his mother at age nine.

“That moment in that bedroom, probably more than any other moment in my life, has defined who I am,” wrote Smith.

02of 18Will Smith’s Start in MusicMichael Ochs Archives/GettySmith first gained recognition in the world of hip hop as the MC of duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.Jeffrey “DJ Jazzy Jeff” Townes was a childhood friend of Smith’s since 1985. The two met coincidentally at a neighborhood house party, where Townes was DJing and Smith voluntarily filled in for his hype man who didn’t show.There was instant chemistry, prompting the duo to join forces, and ultimately leading them to work with rap mogulRussel Simmonsand Jive Records.

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Will Smith’s Start in Music

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Smith first gained recognition in the world of hip hop as the MC of duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

Jeffrey “DJ Jazzy Jeff” Townes was a childhood friend of Smith’s since 1985. The two met coincidentally at a neighborhood house party, where Townes was DJing and Smith voluntarily filled in for his hype man who didn’t show.

There was instant chemistry, prompting the duo to join forces, and ultimately leading them to work with rap mogulRussel Simmonsand Jive Records.

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Will Smith’s First Grammy Award

CBS via Getty

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince quickly rose to fame, gaining much success in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The duo snagged the honor again in 1991 for theirBillboardHot 100 hit single “Summertime,” earning them their second Grammy Award.

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Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Days

Chris Cuffaio/NBCU/Getty

Smith played a fictionalized version of himself on thehit sitcom, a breakthrough role that launched his acting career. He also wrote and recorded the famed theme song under his “Fresh Prince” stage name alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff who produced it.

The show ran for six seasons and wrapped in 1996.

05of 18Will Smith’s Breakthrough in FilmEverettWhile 1993’sSix Degrees of Separationand 1995’sBad Boys(costarringMartin Lawrence) were among Smith’s first major roles in film, it was1996’sIndependence Daythat made Smith a box office draw.The major blockbuster became the second highest-grossing film in history at the time and won numerous awards, including a Grammy and anOscar.

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Will Smith’s Breakthrough in Film

Everett

While 1993’sSix Degrees of Separationand 1995’sBad Boys(costarringMartin Lawrence) were among Smith’s first major roles in film, it was1996’sIndependence Daythat made Smith a box office draw.

The major blockbuster became the second highest-grossing film in history at the time and won numerous awards, including a Grammy and anOscar.

06of 18Will Smith’s Marriage to Sheree ZampinoJim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via GettySmith wedSheree Zampinoin 1992, and the couple had a son namedWillard Carroll “Trey” Smith IIIthat same year. Thetwo later divorcedin 1995.The actor confessed in his memoir that his relationship with Zampino did not start out smoothly, especially since he “fell in love” withSixth Degrees of SeparationcostarStockard Channing.“After the film wrapped, Sheree and Trey and I moved back to L.A,” wrote Smith. “Our marriage was off to a rocky start. I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.”

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Will Smith’s Marriage to Sheree Zampino

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Smith wedSheree Zampinoin 1992, and the couple had a son namedWillard Carroll “Trey” Smith IIIthat same year. Thetwo later divorcedin 1995.

The actor confessed in his memoir that his relationship with Zampino did not start out smoothly, especially since he “fell in love” withSixth Degrees of SeparationcostarStockard Channing.

“After the film wrapped, Sheree and Trey and I moved back to L.A,” wrote Smith. “Our marriage was off to a rocky start. I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.”

07of 18Will Smith’s Marriage to Jada Pinkett SmithJada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for DisneyAfter meeting on the set ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith married for the second time in 1997 toJada Pinkett.The couple have two kids together, sonJaden Smithand daughterWillow Smith, and are recognized as one of the biggestpower couples in Hollywood.

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Will Smith’s Marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney

After meeting on the set ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith married for the second time in 1997 toJada Pinkett.

The couple have two kids together, sonJaden Smithand daughterWillow Smith, and are recognized as one of the biggestpower couples in Hollywood.

08of 18Will Smith’s Men in Black SuccessColumbia/EverettWasting no time, Smith took on the role of Agent J. in 1997’sMen in BlackalongsideTommy Lee Jonesin what became the third highest grossing film that year.He reprised his character in both of its sequels,Men in Black IIandMen in Black 3.

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Will Smith’s Men in Black Success

Columbia/Everett

Wasting no time, Smith took on the role of Agent J. in 1997’sMen in BlackalongsideTommy Lee Jonesin what became the third highest grossing film that year.

He reprised his character in both of its sequels,Men in Black IIandMen in Black 3.

09of 18Will Smith’s Solo Grammy WinsMATT CAMPBELL/AFP/GettySmith pursued a solo rap career following the success of his titular rap forMen in Black, which was also included on his debut solo albumBig Willie Stylein 1997.Not only did Smith’s “Men in Black” win the Grammy Award for best rap solo performance in 1998, but his single “Gettin' Jiggy Wit It” also won in 1999 (and became his first No. 1 hit on theBillboardHot 100).

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Will Smith’s Solo Grammy Wins

MATT CAMPBELL/AFP/Getty

Smith pursued a solo rap career following the success of his titular rap forMen in Black, which was also included on his debut solo albumBig Willie Stylein 1997.

Not only did Smith’s “Men in Black” win the Grammy Award for best rap solo performance in 1998, but his single “Gettin' Jiggy Wit It” also won in 1999 (and became his first No. 1 hit on theBillboardHot 100).

10of 18Will Smith’s Role as Muhammad AliFrank Connor/Columbia/Kobal/ShutterstockThe actor took on the role of legendary boxerMuhammad Aliin 2001’s biopicAli.Smith physically and mentally transformed into the heavyweight champion, deemed “the greatest of all time,” and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for best actor in a motion picture drama.“The champ looked at me and gave me the nod that I did a good job,” Smith said of Aliduring an interviewwithOprah Winfrey. “I worked as hard as I could possibly have worked.”

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Will Smith’s Role as Muhammad Ali

Frank Connor/Columbia/Kobal/Shutterstock

The actor took on the role of legendary boxerMuhammad Aliin 2001’s biopicAli.

Smith physically and mentally transformed into the heavyweight champion, deemed “the greatest of all time,” and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for best actor in a motion picture drama.

“The champ looked at me and gave me the nod that I did a good job,” Smith said of Aliduring an interviewwithOprah Winfrey. “I worked as hard as I could possibly have worked.”

11of 18Will Smith’s Guinness Book of World Record TitlesMJ Kim/GettyIn 2005,Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Recordsfor making the most public appearances in different cities within 12 hours while promoting his romantic comedy,Hitch.Making his rounds throughout England, the actor stopped in Manchester, then joined costarsEva MendesandAmber Vallettain London, and concluded in Birmingham.

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Will Smith’s Guinness Book of World Record Titles

MJ Kim/Getty

In 2005,Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Recordsfor making the most public appearances in different cities within 12 hours while promoting his romantic comedy,Hitch.

Making his rounds throughout England, the actor stopped in Manchester, then joined costarsEva MendesandAmber Vallettain London, and concluded in Birmingham.

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Will Smith’s Role in The Pursuit of Happyness With Son Jaden

Smith starred alongside son Jaden in 2006’s biographical dramaThe Pursuit of Happyness, a film thatexplores the real-life rags-to-riches story of successful businessman Chris Gardner.

13of 18Will Smith’s Honor at TCL Chinese TheatreChris Pizzello/ReutersSmith received the honor of getting his handprint and footprint cemented in the ground outside of TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on Dec. 10, 2007.“I am humbled, I am honored, and my heart is just beating right now,” said Smith in his speech during the ceremony. “I’m going to do everything that I can do with my life, and instructing my family and my friends to make this world a better place.”

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Will Smith’s Honor at TCL Chinese Theatre

Chris Pizzello/Reuters

Smith received the honor of getting his handprint and footprint cemented in the ground outside of TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California on Dec. 10, 2007.

“I am humbled, I am honored, and my heart is just beating right now,” said Smith in his speech during the ceremony. “I’m going to do everything that I can do with my life, and instructing my family and my friends to make this world a better place.”

14of 18Will Smith’s FIFA 2018 World Cup SongSplash News OnlineSmith had the honor of performing the official song for the 2018’sFIFA World Cupin Russia alongsideReggaeton starNicky Jam.“It’s an honor to be asked to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” Smith said in a statement. “This global event brings people from all over the world together to cheer, laugh and experience magic.”

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Will Smith’s FIFA 2018 World Cup Song

Splash News Online

Smith had the honor of performing the official song for the 2018’sFIFA World Cupin Russia alongsideReggaeton starNicky Jam.

“It’s an honor to be asked to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” Smith said in a statement. “This global event brings people from all over the world together to cheer, laugh and experience magic.”

15of 18Will Smith’s Role as Genie in AladdinDisneyIn the 2019live-action adaptationof Disney’sAladdin, Smith took on the iconic role ofthe Genie.The film became Smith’s highest-grossing film, surpassing 1996’sIndependence Day.

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Will Smith’s Role as Genie in Aladdin

Disney

In the 2019live-action adaptationof Disney’sAladdin, Smith took on the iconic role ofthe Genie.

The film became Smith’s highest-grossing film, surpassing 1996’sIndependence Day.

16of 18Will Smith’s Memoir ReleaseMatt Rourke/AP/ShutterstockIn November 2021, Smith wrote amemoirtitledWillwith the help of acclaimed author Mark Manson.The book detailsSmith’s life transformation, “from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest rap stars of his era and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history.”

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Will Smith’s Memoir Release

Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock

In November 2021, Smith wrote amemoirtitledWillwith the help of acclaimed author Mark Manson.

The book detailsSmith’s life transformation, “from a fearful child in a tense West Philadelphia home to one of the biggest rap stars of his era and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history.”

17of 18Will Smith’s King Richard SuccessWarner Bros. PicturesSmith took home his first-everGolden Globe Awardfor actor in a drama motion picture at the 2022 ceremony for his role inKing Richard.In the film, Smith playedRichard Williams, thefather of and coachoftennis superstar playersVenusandSerena Williams.In Februray, he also received anOscar nomination for Best Actorfor the role.

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Will Smith’s King Richard Success

Warner Bros. Pictures

Smith took home his first-everGolden Globe Awardfor actor in a drama motion picture at the 2022 ceremony for his role inKing Richard.

In the film, Smith playedRichard Williams, thefather of and coachoftennis superstar playersVenusandSerena Williams.

In Februray, he also received anOscar nomination for Best Actorfor the role.

18of 18Will Smith’s First Oscar WinWill Smith.ROBYN BECK/AFP via GettyDuring the 2022 Oscars,Smith took home his first winfor Best Actor for his performance inKing Richard.Just moments before his big win, Smith shocked the audience whenhe smacked comedian Chris Rockon the stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.During his acceptance speech, Smith addressed the incident directly, offering an apology to the Academy and his fellow actors — though he didn’t mention Rock.“Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things,” he said in his speech.

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Will Smith’s First Oscar Win

Will Smith.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

During the 2022 Oscars,Smith took home his first winfor Best Actor for his performance inKing Richard.

Just moments before his big win, Smith shocked the audience whenhe smacked comedian Chris Rockon the stage after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair.

During his acceptance speech, Smith addressed the incident directly, offering an apology to the Academy and his fellow actors — though he didn’t mention Rock.

“Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things,” he said in his speech.

source: people.com