58809543

Will Smith

Biography - Will Smith

With his million-dollar smile and interminably charming demeanor, Will Smith has become one of the only stars in history to find major success in music, television, and film. Growing up in West Philadelphia (where he was born in 1968), Smith pursued a career as an emcee, despite gaining admission to M.I.T. Smith and friend Jeff Townes started the radio-friendly hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince in the late 1980s, and quickly found national fame, even winning the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance with the song “Parents Just Don’t Understand”.

The sexy teen icon famously lived the high life after his success in the hip-hop world, and found himself nearly bankrupt at the end of the decade. But his move to television rescued his career and started a hot streak for the actor that still hasn’t let up. The popular sitcom, called “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, was a breakout hit, and ran for six years. During the run of “The Fresh Prince” Smith started acting in films as well, with sizable roles in “Where the Day Takes You” and the Whoopi Goldberg/Ted Danson vehicle “Made in America”. But it was 1993’s film version of “Six Degrees of Separation” that got Smith noticed by critics, who correctly predicted that after his terrific performance in the film he would become a major film star. Right they were – in 1995 Smith and Martin Lawrence starred in the blockbuster hit “Bad Boys”, and in ’96 Smith headlined the alien invasion movie “Independence Day”, which became the sixth highest-grossing film of the 90s. His next film “Men in Black” was nearly as successful, and it became clear that Smith was a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.

Around the time Smith was kicking alien butt in the mid-90s, he launched a solo career that more than lived up to expectations. His singles were commonly tie-ins with his films (such as the title songs to “Men in Black” and “Wild Wild West”), and his first solo album, 1997’s “Big Willie Style”, sold nine million copies in the U.S. and produced two #1 singles. Smith’s pop career has waned since his first album, but 2005’s “Lost and Found” produced the smash single “Switch” and briefly returned him to the top of the charts.

After “Men in Black” Smith continued to score major box office hits, including “Enemy of the State” and “Wild Wild West”, which despite being an atrocious film managed to gross over $200 million worldwide, probably due mostly to Smith’s involvement. 2001’s “Ali” earned Smith a much-deserved Oscar nomination for his detailed, mannered performance as Muhammad Ali, and since then he has starred in the hits “Men in Black 2”, “Bad Boys 2”, “I, Robot”, “Shark Tale” (voice), and 2005’s surprise blockbuster comedy “Hitch”. Smith famously turned down the lead role in “The Matrix”, a move he now regrets, and has been married to “The Matrix Reloaded” star Jada Pinkett Smith for almost ten years. The jaw-dropping couple has two children together. He can currently be seen in the tender drama "The Pursuit of Happyness", which recently earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

It isn’t a stretch to suggest that Smith is the most bankable and perhaps the most popular American movie star alive, with his only competition being Hollywood heavies Tom Cruise, Jim Carrey, and Tom Hanks. Eulogies for his career are a long, long way off.

Recent Will Smith Photos

Events Per Page: 40  | 80  | 120
Sort By: A-Z  | Z-A  | Latest  | Earliest
View: Items (10729)  |  (1 to 120 of 545 listed) Page:  Next
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) 1989
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith
1988 MTV Video Music Awards
Los Angeles
09/07/1988
DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Will Smith) 1989
16th American Music Awards
Los Angeles
01/28/1989
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
16th Annual American Music Awards
Los Angeles
01/30/1989
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
The 32nd Annual GRAMMY Awards
Los Angeles
02/21/1990
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith
NBC Allstars Party 1990
Los Angeles
07/18/1990
Will Smith
42nd Annual Emmy Awards
Pasadena
09/16/1990
Will Smith
On The Set Of "Fresh Prince Of Bel Air"
Hollywood
10/20/1990
Will Smith
"Edward Scissorhands" Premiere
Los Angeles
12/06/1990
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith
NBC Press Tour - January 6, 1991
Marina Del Rey
01/06/1991
Will Smith
2nd MTV Rock N Jock
Los Angeles
01/12/1991
Will Smith
18th Annual American Music Awards
Los Angeles
01/28/1991
Will Smith
NBC Summer Press Tour - July 27, 1991
Universal City
07/27/1991
Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark) and Will Smith and Donnie Wahlberg Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Girlfriend
Mark Wahlberg (Marky Mark) and Will Smith and Donnie Wahlberg
Marky Mark Performs at Basketball Game
Los Angeles
09/15/1991
Will Smith
MTV Rock N Jock B-Ball - September 15, 1991
Westchester
09/15/1991
Will Smith
60th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood
12/01/1991
Will Smith and Girlfriend
24th Annual NAACP Image Awards
Los Angeles
01/11/1992
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff Will Smith and Luther Vandross Guest and Will Smith Simon and Garfunkel with Steve Martin and Will Smith in a 1993 file photo.
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff
19th Annual American Music Awards
Los Angeles
01/27/1992
Will Smith and Luther Vandross
6th Annual Soul Train Awards
Los Angeles
03/10/1992
Guest and Will Smith
"Batman Returns" Hollywood Premiere
Hollywood
06/16/1992
Simon and Garfunkel with Steve Martin and Will Smith in a 1993 file photo.
Simon and Garfunkel 1993 File Photos
New York City
01/01/1993
Will Smith and Sheree Campino Steve Martin, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon and Will Smith Will Smith, Nia Long, Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson Will Smith and Guest
Will Smith and Sheree Campino
The 50th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Beverly Hills
01/23/1993
Steve Martin, Art Garfunkel, Paul Simon and Will Smith
Children's Health Fund
Los Angeles
02/26/1993
Will Smith, Nia Long, Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson
Premiere Of "Made In America" To Benefit Weizmann Institute
Westwood
05/27/1993
Will Smith and Guest
45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
Pasadena
09/19/1993
Alfonso Ribeiro, Gabrielle Tuite, Will Smith, and Sheree Campino Will Smith and Sheree Will Smith and Sheree Will Smith
Alfonso Ribeiro, Gabrielle Tuite, Will Smith, and Sheree Campino
Los Angeles Premiere Of "Six Degrees Of Separation"
Los Angeles
12/08/1993
Will Smith and Sheree
51st Annual Golden Globe Awards
Beverly Hills
01/22/1994
Will Smith and Sheree
3rd Annual MTV Movie Awards
Culver City
06/04/1994
Will Smith
Donation of Props from "Bad Boys"
Miami
08/28/1994
Will Smith and Sheree Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith and Sheree
"Interview With A Vampire" Los Angeles Premiere
Westwood
11/09/1994
Will Smith
NBC's Annual Winter Press Tour All-Star Reception
Pasadena
01/09/1995
Will Smith
1995 Essence Awards
New York City
05/12/1995
Will Smith
"Batman Forever" Los Angeles Premiere
Westwood
06/09/1995
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Will Smith Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Son
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
"Devil In a Blue Dress" Benefit Premiere
Beverly Hills
09/22/1995
Will Smith
2nd Blockbuster Awards
Los Angeles
03/06/1996
Oprah Winfrey, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett-Smith
The 68th Annual Academy Awards
Los Angeles
03/25/1996
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Son
"Independence Day" Los Angeles Premiere
Westwood
06/25/1996
Jada Pinkett and Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith & Jada Pinkett
Jada Pinkett and Will Smith
"The Nutty Professor" Los Angeles Benefit Premiere
Universal City
06/27/1996
Will Smith
"Set It Off" Los Angeles Premiere
Hollywood
11/04/1996
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
"Metro" Los Angeles Premiere
Los Angeles
01/16/1997
Will Smith & Jada Pinkett
54th Annual Golden Globe Awards
Beverly Hills
01/19/1997
Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Jda Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
Will Smith
NATO - Showest 1997
Las Vegas
03/02/1997
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
11th Soul Train Music Awards
Los Angeles
03/07/1997
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
3rd Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards
Los Angeles
03/11/1997
Jda Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
Premiere of "Selena"
Hollywood
03/13/1997
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Son
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith
The 69th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Los Angeles
03/24/1997
Will Smith
Nickelodeon's 10th Annual Kids Choice Awards
Los Angeles
04/19/1997
Will Smith
1997 MTV Movie Awards
Santa Monica
06/07/1997
Will Smith and Son
"Men In Black" Los Angeles Premiere
Hollywood
06/25/1997
Will Smith Tommy Mottola, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith
"Men In Black" East Coast Premiere
East Hampton
06/29/1997
Tommy Mottola, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith
Party for Release of "Men In Black" Soundtrack
New York City
07/01/1997
Will Smith
1997 MTV Video Music Awards
New York City
09/04/1997
Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith
The 40th Annual GRAMMY Awards
New York City
02/25/1998
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith
The 4th Annual Blockbuster Awards
Los Angeles
03/10/1998
Will Smith
1998 Essence Awards
New York City
04/14/1998
Will Smith
Woo Premiere
Hollywood
05/05/1998
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Premiere Of "Whoo"
Hollywood
05/05/1998
Will Smith and Madonna Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Russell Simmons
Will Smith and Madonna
1998 MTV Video Music Awards
Universal City
09/10/1998
Will Smith
Screening Of "Enemy Of The State"
New York City
11/18/1998
Will Smith
26th Annual American Music Awards
Los Angeles
01/11/1999
Will Smith and Russell Simmons
30th Annual NAACP Image Awards
Pasadena
02/14/1999
Will Smith Will Smith and Meg Ryan Barry Sonnenfeld, Salma Hayek & Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Will Smith
The 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards
Los Angeles
02/24/1999
Will Smith and Meg Ryan
1999 ShoWest Awards Ceremony
Las Vegas
03/09/1999
Barry Sonnenfeld, Salma Hayek & Will Smith
25th Annual NATO/ShoWest Convention - 1999
Las Vegas
03/19/1999
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
"The Matrix" Los Angeles Premiere
Westwood
03/24/1999
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Kevin Kline Will Smith
Will Smith
"Life" Los Angeles Premiere
Westwood
04/13/1999
Will Smith
92.6 FM Presents "Wango Tango Line-Up"
Los Angeles
06/12/1999
Will Smith and Kevin Kline
"Wild Wild West" Lost Angeles Premiere
Westwood
06/28/1999
Will Smith
1999 Source Hip-Hop Music Awards
Los Angeles
08/18/1999
Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith
1999 MTV Video Music Awards
New York City
09/09/1999
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
Sony Music Post VMA Party
New York City
09/09/1999
Will Smith
Will Smith Visits MTV's "TRL" - October 31, 1999
New York City
10/31/1999
Will Smith
The 13th Annual Kids Choice Awards
Century City
04/15/2000
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith
Will Smith
"Mission: Impossible 2" Los Angeles Premiere
Hollywood
05/18/2000
Will Smith
Big Momma's House Premiere
Hollywood
05/31/2000
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
De La Hoya vs. Mosley Fight
Los Angeles
06/19/2000
Will Smith
"The Legend Of Bagger Vance" New York Premiere - October 29, 2000
New York
10/29/2000
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips attending "Will Smith Day Fashion Show" on April 1, 1990 at the Tribeca Grill in New York City, New York. Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith & family Will Smith Will Smith & son Trey
Actor Lou Diamond Phillips attending "Will Smith Day Fashion Show" on April 1, 1990 at the...
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos
Various Cities
12/12/2000
Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith & family
Kingdom Come Premiere II
Hollywood
04/04/2001
Will Smith
2001 BMI Film & Television Awards
Beverly Hills
05/16/2001
Will Smith & son Trey
Will Smith File Photos
Santa Monica
06/01/2001
Will Smith and Trey Smith Assistant Director and Will Smith Will Smith and his son Will Smith
Will Smith and Trey Smith
Book Signing Of "Just The Two Of Us" - June 17, 2001
Santa Monica
06/17/2001
Assistant Director and Will Smith
On The Set Of "Men In Black II"
New York City
06/20/2001
Will Smith and his son
2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals
New York City
09/06/2001
Will Smith
2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room
New York City
09/06/2001
Gwen Stefani, Will Smith, & Eve Will Smith Will Smith Son, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith
Gwen Stefani, Will Smith, & Eve
2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Show
New York City
09/06/2001
Will Smith
2001 MTV Video Music Awards - Show Rehearsal
New York City
09/06/2001
Will Smith
Macy's and American Express Passport '01
Santa Monica
09/22/2001
Son, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith
"Ali" Los Angeles Premiere
Hollywood
12/12/2001
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith and Cuba Gooding Jr. Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Son
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
"Black Hawk Down" Los Angeles Premiere
Beverly Hills
12/18/2001
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
7th Annual Broadcast Film Critics Awards
Beverly Hills
01/11/2002
Will Smith and Cuba Gooding Jr.
Muhammad Ali's 60th Birthday Celebration in Hollywood
Hollywood
01/12/2002
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, and Son
The 59th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
Beverly Hills
01/20/2002
Ahmad Rashad, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Will Smith at the NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration in Philadelphia, Saturday, February 9, 2002. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith, and Britney Spears backstage at the NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration in Philadelphia, Saturday, February 9, 2002. John Calley, Will Smith, Amy Pascal, Michael Bay & Jeff Blake Will Smith
Ahmad Rashad, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Will Smith at the NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebratio...
NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration - Show
Philadelphia
02/09/2002
DJ Jazzy Jeff, Will Smith, and Britney Spears backstage at the NBA All-Star Read to Achiev...
NBA All-Star Read to Achieve Celebration - Backstage
Philadelphia
02/09/2002
John Calley, Will Smith, Amy Pascal, Michael Bay & Jeff Blake
2002 ShoWest Gala Awards - Backstage
Las Vegas
03/07/2002
Will Smith
2002 ShoWest Gala Awards - Press Room
Las Vegas
03/07/2002
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Will Smith
2002 ShoWest Gala Awards - Show
Las Vegas
03/07/2002
Will Smith
The Directors Guild of America 54th Annual Awards - Press Room
Los Angeles
03/09/2002
Will Smith
54th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards - Arrivals
Century City
03/09/2002
Will Smith and Jamie-Lynn Sigler
8th Screen Actors Guild Awards - Audience
Los Angeles
03/10/2002
Will Smith presents the award for Best Cast of a Motion Picture. Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith presents the award for Best Cast of a Motion Picture.
8th Screen Actors Guild Awards - Show
Los Angeles
03/10/2002
Will Smith
74th Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon
Beverly Hills
03/11/2002
Will Smith
"Showtime" Premiere
Hollywood
03/11/2002
Will Smith
2002 Tree of Life Awards
Beverly Hills
03/23/2002
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Will Smith presents at the 74th annual Academy Awards Heavy D, Will Smith and Barry Sonnenfeld LisaRaye, Will Smith and son & Kym Whitley
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith
The 74th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals
Hollywood
03/24/2002
Will Smith presents at the 74th annual Academy Awards
The 74th Annual Academy Awards - Show
Hollywood
03/24/2002
Heavy D, Will Smith and Barry Sonnenfeld
"Big Trouble" Premiere
Hollywood
04/02/2002
LisaRaye, Will Smith and son & Kym Whitley
"What's On the Hearts of Men" Play Opening - Arrivals
Beverly Hills
04/09/2002
Will Smith with his gift bag from Neutrogena.
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith and sons
Will Smith with his gift bag from Neutrogena.
Nickelodeon's 15th Annual Kids Choice Awards - Neutrogena Backstage
Santa Monica
04/20/2002
Will Smith
Nickelodeon's 15th Annual Kids Choice Awards - Backstage
Santa Monica
04/20/2002
Will Smith
Nickelodeon's 15th Annual Kids Choice Awards - Show
Santa Monica
04/20/2002
Will Smith and sons
"Spider-Man" Premiere
Westwood
04/29/2002
Will Smith Will Smith, Eddie Griffin and Chris Rock Johnny Knoxville and Will Smith Will Smith
Will Smith
2002 MTV Movie Awards - Press Room
Los Angeles
06/01/2002
Will Smith, Eddie Griffin and Chris Rock
2002 MTV Movie Awards - Backstage and Audience
Los Angeles
06/01/2002
Johnny Knoxville and Will Smith
2002 MTV Movie Awards - Show
Los Angeles
06/01/2002
Will Smith
102.7 KIIS-FM's 2002 Wango Tango
Pasadena
06/15/2002
Will Smith Will Smith Will Smith BackStage at The 2nd Annual BET Awards Will Smith
Will Smith
Will Smith Takes Over the Boardwalk at Seaside Heights for "TRL Presents Will Smith Back in Black!" ...
Seaside Heights
06/20/2002
Will Smith
Will Smith Performs on "The Today Show" Summer Concert Series - June 21, 2002
New York City
06/21/2002
Will Smith BackStage at The 2nd Annual BET Awards
The 2nd Annual BET Awards - Backstage
Hollywood
06/25/2002
Will Smith
The 2nd Annual BET Awards - Interview Room
Hollywood
06/25/2002
Entertainment Sports News Video Creative