Will Smith was the second of four children of Caroline (school board employee) and Willard C Smith Sr. (owner of a refrigeration company). He grew up in middle class West Philadelphia. Will attended the Overbrook High School in Winfield, Pennsylvania, and got the nickname 'Prince' because of the way he could charm his way out of trouble. Bright student Will also signed up with the high-status Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia and later turned down a scholarship for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after deciding to take his music career seriously.

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; leading to his near bankruptcy in his early twenties.

Luckily, 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. 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. With the success that came with the action picture Bad Boys, Will's movie career was set. His had a huge hit with the Blockbuster Independence Day where he plays the alien-battling Marine Corps Captain Steven Hiller.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006): $20,000,000
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
Met wife Jada Pinkett Smith when she tried out for the role of his girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The role eventually went to Nia Long. Son Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (Jaden Smith) born with Jada Pinkett Smith born. [8 July 1998] Son Willard Smith III called "Trey," born in December, with Sheree Smith. [1992] His daughter Willow Camille Reign Smith was born to his wife Jada Pinkett Smith weighing 6 lbs, 10 oz. [31 October 2000] Has said he based his character Captain Steven Hiller in Independence Day on his favorite big screen hero, Harrison Ford, most notably his performances of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope and its sequels. Also known as rap artist "The Fresh Prince.". Will's siblings are: Pam Smith (born in 1964), and twins Ellen and Harry Smith (born in 1971). 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 Jeffrey A. Townes (aka Jazzy Jeff). Enjoys playing chess. Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. [1998] Smith's pilot test show for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air 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 company 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. 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 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 and the film that he most regrets making was Wild Wild West. 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. Premiere Magazine ranked him as #44 on a list of the Greatest Movie Stars of All Time in their Stars in Our Constellation feature (2005). 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 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. He and Jada Pinkett Smith were forced to leave their home in California because a bush fire threatened to destroy it and several other houses in the same area. [October 2005] His 1995 divorce from ex-wife Sheree Smith led to a $900,000 lump sum divorce settlement for Zampino plus $24,000 per month in alimony and child support; this equals $288,000 a year. Lost his place in the Guiness World Records book for most public appearances in 12 hours to German actors Jürgen Vogel and Daniel Brühl, who attended four red carpet premieres of their movie _Freund von mir, Ein (2006)_ , one more than Will (22 October 2006). In the 1998 rap lyrics of "Gettin' Jiggy", Will Smith says that Ali would call him 'The Greatest'. Two and a half years later he's the lead role in "Ali" (2000). Along with early partner DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffrey A. Townes), was the first to start scratching records and started the trend in the early 80s. An animated caricature of him appeared in the animated series adaptation of Men In Black, alongside a caricature of his MIB co-star Tommy Lee Jones, set against a shot that parodied one of the famous low angle shots of a building being threatened by a flying saucer, an in joke reference to Smith's 1996 hit Independence Day, which preceded Men In Black. His character from Men In Black (1997), Agent Jay, was not originally written to specifically be a black man. In fact, the role was offered to Caucasian actors Chris O'Donnell and David Schwimmer before Smith accepted the part. Had to undergo treatment on his shoulder in a New York hospital after he suffered a strain. [March 2007] Was among the guests at Tom Cruise's and Katie Holmes wedding ceremony in Italy.