Will Smith

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Smith's most notable television role was that of William "Will" Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In his film work, his notable roles include Agent J in Men in Black and Men in Black II, Muhammad Ali in Ali, as well as his role in the blockbuster Independence Day and more recently as Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness with his son Jaden Smith and as Robert Neville in I Am Legend.

Biography

Early life and education

www.filmreference.com/film/92/Will-Smith.html</ref><ref>http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/08/09/2003198111</ref> He was raised Baptist.<ref>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/5377381.html</ref> His parents divorced when he was thirteen.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1689234,00.html</ref> Smith's charming and sly demeanor in school resulted in the nickname "Prince" which eventually turned into the "Fresh Prince". While still in his teens, Smith began rapping and eventually began collaborating with Jeff Townes (a.k.a. D.J. Jazzy Jeff) whom he met at a party. He attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born with Smith handling the rhymes and Townes overseeing the mastery of mixing and scratching — the combination was a pop and hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s.//www.filmreference.com/film/92/Will-Smith.html</ref><ref>http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/08/09/2003198111</ref> He was raised Baptist.<ref>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/5377381.html</ref> His parents divorced when he was thirteen.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1689234,00.html</ref> Smith's charming and sly demeanor in school resulted in the nickname "Prince" which eventually turned into the "Fresh Prince". While still in his teens, Smith began rapping and eventually began collaborating with Jeff Townes (a.k.a. D.J. Jazzy Jeff) whom he met at a party. He attended Overbrook High School in West Philadelphia. D.J. Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was born with Smith handling the rhymes and Townes overseeing the mastery of mixing and scratching — the combination was a pop and hip-hop hit during the 1980s and early 1990s.

www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=31133|journal=Reader's Digest|title=Will Smith Interview: Will's Roots|author=Meg Grant|date=December 2006|accessdate=2006-06-27}}</ref> This is corroborated in a Wired interview where he states he never applied to MIT.<ref>Modèle:Cite journal</ref> Despite the above, when Smith appeared on Inside the Actors Studio, he stated that he was admitted to the "pre-engineering program" at MIT.<ref>Inside the Actor's Studio, Season 8, Episode 2, 2002.</ref>//www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=31133|journal=Reader's Digest|title=Will Smith Interview: Will's Roots|author=Meg Grant|date=December 2006|accessdate=2006-06-27}}</ref> This is corroborated in a Wired interview where he states he never applied to MIT.<ref>Modèle:Cite journal</ref> Despite the above, when Smith appeared on Inside the Actors Studio, he stated that he was admitted to the "pre-engineering program" at MIT.<ref>Inside the Actor's Studio, Season 8, Episode 2, 2002.</ref>

Career

Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988). He had a line in "Voices That Care", a 1991 Gulf War song by a celebrity group.

Smith was nearing bankruptcy when in 1990, the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and launched his acting career. Although he made a notable dramatic film debut in Six Degrees of Separation while still appearing in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's film career took off with his role in the buddy cop action film Bad Boys (1995) along with co-star Martin Lawrence.

After The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended in 1996, Smith began a successful solo music career while simultaneously starring in a series of films. The first two films were hugely successful summer blockbusters: Independence Day (1996), in which he played a fearless and confident fighter pilot, and Men in Black (1997), where he played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones's deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. He originally rejected the lead role in Men in Black, but wife Jada Pinkett Smith coaxed him into acceptance. The two films established Smith's commercial reputation as a bankable star whose appeal across age, race, and gender lines could "open" a film at the box office, a reputation Smith would begin to term a "Big Willie Weekend". Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. After the failure of Wild Wild West and watching Keanu Reeves' performance, he suggests that he would not have been the appropriate actor for the role at the time, but still considers passing on The Matrix as a big mistake. He then gained lead roles in several box office successes including Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, Hitch, and I, Robot.

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

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

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

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

www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a19424/will-smith-in-guinness-book-of-records.html</ref> On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia in front of an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith appeared at Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards in 2005 performing "Switch", as well as the Black Entertainment Television awards in 2005. He appeared in the second game of the NBA Finals (San Antonio vs. Detroit) performing "Switch" in 2005. Smith also made a special appearance in the reality talent contest show "Indian Idol", when he visited India.//www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a19424/will-smith-in-guinness-book-of-records.html</ref> On July 2, 2005, Smith served as host for the Live 8 concert in his native Philadelphia in front of an enormous crowd, and later performed a set with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Smith appeared at Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards in 2005 performing "Switch", as well as the Black Entertainment Television awards in 2005. He appeared in the second game of the NBA Finals (San Antonio vs. Detroit) performing "Switch" in 2005. Smith also made a special appearance in the reality talent contest show "Indian Idol", when he visited India.

Smith was considered for the role of John Smith in the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith; Brad Pitt eventually received the role. He was also considered for the role of Willy Wonka in the remake of the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television series It Takes a Thief. Smith also produced All of Us, a program loosely based on his love, life, and family in 2005. Smith recently starred in The Pursuit of Happyness with his son Jaden Smith; he received his second Academy Award nomination for the role for Best Actor but lost to Forest Whitaker.

www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-11-07-will-smith-immortalized-grauman-s-chinese-theater-9841.html#post102972 HHWorlds.com - Will Smith Immortalized At Grauman's Chinese Theater]</ref> Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December.//www.hhworlds.com/f11/12-11-07-will-smith-immortalized-grauman-s-chinese-theater-9841.html#post102972 HHWorlds.com - Will Smith Immortalized At Grauman's Chinese Theater]</ref> Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December.

Personal life

www.treyballdevelopment.com</ref> a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son.//www.treyballdevelopment.com</ref> a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son.

www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Will_Smith.php]</ref>//www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Will_Smith.php]</ref>

Smith is an enthusiast of the board games of chess, bingo and rummoli. He is also said to be fond of video gaming. Smith takes his mother to Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Arizona for one week each year.^{[citation needed]}

www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=7ce3cc11-2a7b-411c-a73b-638aa1cac760 |title=Will and Jada's Stalker Problem |accessdate=2007-12-06 |last=Errico |First=Marcus |date=2002-07-10 |Publisher=E! News}}</ref>//www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=7ce3cc11-2a7b-411c-a73b-638aa1cac760 |title=Will and Jada's Stalker Problem |accessdate=2007-12-06 |last=Errico |First=Marcus |date=2002-07-10 |Publisher=E! News}}</ref>

www.hollywood.com/news/Smith_Turns_Down_Cruises_Scientology_Bid/3591886</ref><ref>http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1604</ref> and, "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different".<ref>"

   Will Smith Admits to Studying Scientology With Tom Cruise 
     
 " , US Magazine
  , 2007-11-20
 
 . </ref> After Jada made the film Collateral with Cruise in 2004, the couple donated $20,000 to Scientology’s literacy campaign, called HELP, The Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, which is the basis for Scientology’s home-schooling system.<ref>"
   Will Smith's Charities Include Scientology 
     
 " , Fox News
  , 2007-12-14
 
 . </ref> Will Smith gave a controversial interview about his thoughts on Hitler in December 2007.<ref>http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/24/jews-not-jiggy-with-fresh-putz-of-bel-air</ref>//www.hollywood.com/news/Smith_Turns_Down_Cruises_Scientology_Bid/3591886</ref><ref>http://www.blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1604</ref> and, "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different".<ref>"
    and, "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different".<ref>"
   Will Smith Admits to Studying Scientology With Tom Cruise 
     
 " , US Magazine
  , 2007-11-20
 
 . </ref> After Jada made the film Collateral with Cruise in 2004, the couple donated $20,000 to Scientology’s literacy campaign, called HELP, The Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, which is the basis for Scientology’s home-schooling system.<ref>"
   Will Smith's Charities Include Scientology 
     
 " , Fox News
  , 2007-12-14
 
 . </ref> Will Smith gave a controversial interview about his thoughts on Hitler in December 2007.<ref>http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/24/jews-not-jiggy-with-fresh-putz-of-bel-air</ref>

Discography

With DJ Jazzy Jeff (as The Fresh Prince)

Singles

See DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince #Singles

Solo

Singles

Dates relate to UK release dates.

Misc. performances

The following are several songs that Smith has been featured with other artists:

• "I Sleep Much Better (In Someone Else's Bed)" (1989) (Billy Ocean feat. Mimi & Will Smith) [Credited as The Fresh Prince]
• "Voices That Care" (1991) by various artists [Credited as The Fresh Prince]
• "Boy You Knock Me Out" (1998) (Tatyana Ali featuring Will Smith)
• "Hey Sexy Lady (Remix)" (2003) (Shaggy featuring Brian & Tony Gold, Sean Paul, & Will Smith)
• "Got To Be Real" (2004) (Mary J. Blige featuring Will Smith)

Filmography

See also

• Best selling music artists
• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart
• List of supercouples

References

External links

www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.willsmith.com/ Official site] www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.myspace.com/willsmithcomedy Official Myspace]

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www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.notstarring.com/actors/smith-will Complete list of roles turned down by Will Smith] www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=31133 Will Smith talks about MIT urban legend] www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.jazzyjefffreshprince.com/ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince fansite] www.willsmith.com/ Official site]//www.rollingstone.com/artists/willsmith Will Smith] at Rolling Stone Modèle:Start box Modèle:Succession box Modèle:End box

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