Will Smith was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is one of a small group of people who have enjoyed success in film, television, and the music industry. Smith got his start as an MC in the hip-hop duo of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. He became a household name with the successful television show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which lasted for six years. Smith then ventured into movies with leading roles in “Bad Boys,” “Men in Black” and as the alien-battling Marine Corps Captain Steven Hiller in “Independence Day.” Other starring roles of note include “Enemy of the State,” “Men in Black II,” “Bad Boys II,” “I, Robot,” and most recently the surprise blockbuster “The Pursuit of Happyness.” One notable fact is that Smith is one of only two hip-hop artists to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor—for his portrayal of the boxer Muhammad Ali.






























































































