Will Smith Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Willard Carroll Smith II |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | September 25, 1968 |
| Age | 57 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, rapper, producer |
| Years Active | 1985-present |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Spouse | Married to Jada Pinkett Smith (1997-present) |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth | ~$375 million |
| Known For | Crossing over from hip-hop to Hollywood superstardom |
Early Life & Background
Smith grew up in West Philadelphia, rapping as The Fresh Prince with DJ Jazzy Jeff. The duo won the first Grammy for Best Rap Performance. NBC built The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996) around his charisma, launching his acting career.
Career Journey
Blockbuster Dominance
Smith became the king of Fourth of July releases with Bad Boys, Independence Day, and Men in Black. He continued leading global hits such as I, Robot, Hitch, I Am Legend, and Suicide Squad.
Awards Recognition
Smith earned Oscar nominations for Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness. He won Best Actor for King Richard (2022), portraying Serena and Venus Williams' father. After the 2022 Oscars incident, he apologized publicly and refocused on projects outside the Academy spotlight.
Music & Media Ventures
Smith released four solo studio albums and multiple chart-topping singles. Through Westbrook Inc., he produces Bel-Air, Red Table Talk, and docuseries like Welcome to Earth on Disney+. He remains a YouTube and TikTok favorite for motivational content and stunts.
Recent Work
Smith starred in Emancipation (2022), returned to action with Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), and executive produced Netflix's Queen Cleopatra. He also launched a wellness video series documenting mindfulness practices.
Upcoming Projects
In 2026 Smith is filming I Am Legend 2 with Michael B. Jordan, producing a sci-fi film Resurgence, expanding Westbrook Studios' deal with Amazon, and hosting global discussions through a revived Red Table Talk: World Tour.
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990-1996 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Himself/Will | Sitcom breakthrough |
| 1995-2024 | Bad Boys Franchise | Mike Lowrey | Action-comedy series |
| 1996 | Independence Day | Capt. Steven Hiller | Blockbuster hit |
| 1997-2012 | Men in Black Series | Agent J | Sci-fi comedy |
| 2001 | Ali | Muhammad Ali | Oscar nomination |
| 2006 | The Pursuit of Happyness | Chris Gardner | Oscar nomination |
| 2007 | I Am Legend | Robert Neville | Post-apocalyptic drama |
| 2021 | King Richard | Richard Williams | Academy Award win |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Grammy Awards | Best Rap Solo Performance | "Gettin' Jiggy wit It" | Won |
| 2002 | Academy Awards | Best Actor | Ali | Nominated |
| 2007 | Academy Awards | Best Actor | The Pursuit of Happyness | Nominated |
| 2022 | Academy Awards | Best Actor | King Richard | Won |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$375 million (2026)
Smith's wealth comes from film salaries with backend deals, Westbrook Studios productions, music royalties, social media partnerships, Bel-Air Athletics apparel, and real estate in Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
Personal Life
He lives in Calabasas with Jada Pinkett Smith, supporting their children Trey, Jaden, and Willow's creative ventures. Smith is committed to personal growth, therapy, and public conversations about relationships and mental health.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
Smith supports the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation, funding education, clean water initiatives, and youth empowerment. He backs Global Citizen, Feeding America, and climate-focused nonprofits through Westbrook grants.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @willsmith shares motivational videos, behind-the-scenes looks, travel adventures, and charitable campaigns with hundreds of millions of followers.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Smith turned down The Matrix to make Wild Wild West.
- He practices skydiving and bungee jumping for his Bucket List video series.
- Smith holds a Guinness World Record for the most premieres attended in 12 hours.
- He speaks conversational Spanish from on-location shoots.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Smith is co-producing Bel-Air Season 4, filming I Am Legend 2 in Atlanta and Namibia, and preparing a docuseries about forgiveness featuring global leaders. He plans a limited "Summit Live" speaking tour with family members discussing wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Will Smith?
Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and producer who rose to fame with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and went on to lead blockbusters like Bad Boys, Men in Black, and King Richard.
What is Will Smith most famous for?
He is most famous for his charismatic action-comedy roles, Grammy-winning rap career, and Academy Award-winning performance in King Richard.
Is Will Smith active on social media?
Yes. Smith is highly active on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube, sharing motivational content and project updates.