Biography for
Will Smith (I)
Birth name
Willard Christopher Smith Jr.
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Nickname
Fresh Prince
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Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
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Mini biography
Will Smith was the second of four children of Caroline and Willard Smith Sr., owner of a refrigeration company. He grew up in middle class West Philadelphia and got the nickname 'Prince' because of the way he could charm his way out of trouble. Pursuing music, he met Jeff Townes at a party and they soon began performing together as DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. When the duo took off in popularity, Smith made, and spent a lot of money on a house, cars and jewelry. But Smith was looking for something new when, in 1989, he met Benny Medina, who had an idea for a sitcom based on his life in Beverly Hills. Smith loved the idea as did NBC which put on the "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990). The plot was simple - Will basically played himself; a street-smart West Philly kid transplanted to Beverly Hills. The series lasted 6 years. During that time, he ventured into movies where the critics took note of him in Six Degrees of Separation (1993). With the success that came with the action picture Bad Boys (1995), Will's movie career was set. His had a huge hit with the Blockbuster Independence Day (1996) where he plays the alien-battling Marine Corps Captain Steven Hiller.
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IMDb mini-biography by
Tony Fontana < tony.fontana@spacebbs.com>
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Spouse
Jada Pinkett Smith (31 December 1997 - present) 2 children
Sheree Smith (9 May 1992 - 1995) (divorced) 1 child
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Trade mark
Often plays a cop or an agent.
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Trivia
Met wife Jada Pinkett Smith when she tried out for the role of his girlfriend on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990). The role eventually went to Nia Long.
Son, with Jada Pinkett Smith, Jaden Smith born. [8 July 1998]
Son, with Sheree Smith, Willard Smith III "Trey", born. [1992]
Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1998]
Has said he based his character Captain Steven Hiller in Independence Day (1996) on his favorite big screen hero, Harrison Ford. Most notably his performances of Han Solo in Star Wars (1977) and its sequels.
Aka known as rap artist "The Fresh Prince."
Will's brother Harry and sister Ellen are twins.
Won a Grammy Award for the song "Summertime" during his rap career.
Received the first ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance, for the song "Parents Just Don't Understand" in 1989 with his partner Jazzy Jeff.
Enjoys playing chess.
His daughter Willow Camille Reign Smith was born to his wife Jada Pinkett Smith weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz. [31 October 2000]
Smith's pilot test show for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990) was directed by Debbie Allen.
Met first wife, Sheree Smith, at a taping of _"Different World, A" (1987)_ in 1991.
As a public role model, hosted the Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Youth, as part of the Gala for President Bill Clinton. [January 1993]
Graduate of Philly's legendary Overbrook High School, whose alumni include Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Lear, Wali Jones, Walt Hazzard, The Dovells, The Orlons, DeeDee Sharp, etc. and in tribute to his student years there, his production is called Overbrook Entertainment.
Attended the prestigious Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia.
Turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix (1999).
First hip-hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award.
Speaks fluent Spanish.
Ranked #2 on Star TV's Top Ten Box Office stars of the 1990s (2003)
Turned down admission to M.I.T. to pursue his singing career.
Had a chart-hit together with DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Dropped from Columbia Records as an artist after lackluster sales of his third solo album, which was self-titled, and greatest hits compilation. [Summer 2003]
Incorporates the line "Aw, hell no!" into all his movies as a running catch phrase like Arnold Schwarzenegger's "I'll be back!".
Shares a birthday with Heather Locklear, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Michael Madsen, Barbara Walters, former NBA star Scottie Pippen and the late Christopher Reeve.
Ranked #15 in TV Guide's list of "TV's 25 Greatest Teen Idols" (23 January 2005 issue).
Gained a place in the Guinness World Records book for most public appearances in 12 hours, by attending three red carpet 'premieres' for _Hitch (2005)_ on 22nd February 2005. He walked the red carpet and introduced the film at Manchester, Birmingham and finally for the premiere in London, England.
Once stated that in his whole career, he most regrets turning down the part of Neo in The Matrix (1999) and the film that he most regrets making was Wild Wild West (1999).
He has been at his adult height of 6' 2" since he was 13, although he is now about 60 pounds heavier than he first was when he reached this height.
Was voted the 44th Greatest Movie Star of All Time by Premiere magazine.
He sang a few lines "Wild Wild West" to his on screen cousin Carleton, a movie in which he starred 6 years later.
Hosted the MTV Movie Awards in 1994
Was considered for the role of "Mr. Smith" in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) before Brad Pitt was cast.
Is supposedly a huge fan of the Swedish well-known (but barely known in the U.S.) melodic heavy metal band Soilwork.
Raked #66 in VH1's 100 greatest Teen Stars
Holds the record for most Kids Choice Awards with a whopping six wins.
Ranked #14 on Premiere's 2006 "Power 50" list. Had ranked #18 in 2005. He is the second-highest ranked actor, behind only Tom Cruise.
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Personal quotes
[On his first season of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (1990)] "I was trying so hard. I would memorize the entire script, then I'd be lipping everybody's lines while they were talking. When I watch those episodes, it's disgusting. My performances were horrible."
On the change in his body that Ali's intense physical training required: "I'm human viagra. I'm Willagra. I'm a sex machine now. I'm raring to go every second of the day. My wife's loving it."
"My biggest emotional defeat and the greatest emotional pain I've had as an actor was when 'Wild Wild West' opened up to $52 million. The movie wasn't good. And it hurt so bad to be the No. 1 movie, to open at $52 million and to know the movie wasn't good."
"I want to stop at five." when asked by Jules Asner about having more children.
"When I turned 28, everything clicked. I even got way better in bed."
"It's a whole different thing being an actor. A rapper is about being completely true to yourself. Being an actor is about changing who you are. You make yourself a different person. You become a different person."
"You're so much stronger when your partner is strong. I honestly believe there is no woman for me but Jada. Of all the women I've met - and there've been a few - no one can handle me the way Jada does. Once you feel someone locked in on you, it's no contest. As fine as other women can be, as tempting sexually, I'm not going anywhere. This is it. I can't imagine what anyone else could offer."
"I love being black in America, and especially being black in Hollywood."
"I really believe that a man and a woman together, raising a family, is the purest form of happiness we can experience."
"If you're not willing to work hard, let someone else do it. I'd rather be with someone who does a horrible job, but gives 110% than with someone who does a good job and gives 60%."
People laugh, but if I set my mind to it, within the next 15 years I would be president.
"My grandmother once told me, 'Don't let failure go to your heart and don't let success go to your head.'"
[on Star Wars] "I might have been eight or nine. That was the movie that put me into a space where the science fiction element was almost a spiritual connection for me. I thought, if someone could imagine that and then put it on a screen and make me feel like that... and my entire career I've been trying to make people feel like Star Wars made me feel."
"Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want to impress people they don't like."
About Aishwarya Rai: "I really wanted to work with her in _Hitch (2005)_ but she was shooting for Bride and Prejudice (2004) at the time and she couldn't do it. She has this powerful energy where she doesn't have to say anything, do anything, she can just stand there. Anything she's making, I'll be there." (February 2006)
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Salary
I, Robot (2004) $28,000,000
Bad Boys II (2003) $20,000,000 + 20% of the gross
Men in Black II (2002) $20,000,000 + 10% Gross
Ali (2001) $20,000,000
The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000) $10,000,000
Wild Wild West (1999) $7,000,000
Enemy of the State (1998) $14,000,000
Men in Black (1997) $5,000,000
Independence Day (1996) $5,000,000
Bad Boys (1995) $2,000,000
Six Degrees of Separation (1993) $500,000
Made in America (1993) $100,000
Where the Day Takes You (1992) $50,000
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Where are they now
(August 2004) Recently purchased a home in south Stockholm, Sweden because he feels it is the best place to relax.
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Do i deserve 10 points?
2006-07-14 00:19:00
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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1⤊
0⤋