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Born in West Philadelphia
September 25, 1968
Will Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia and Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline (née Bright), was a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration engineer.
Overbrook High School
August 20, 1982 - June 17, 1986
Overbrook High School is a public, four-year secondary school located in the West Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. An inner-city school, it is perhaps most well-known because of its famous alumni.
Parents Just Don't Understand
June 1, 1988
Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, with his childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the Rap category (1988).
IRS Trouble
Feburary 1, 1990
The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
September 10, 1990 - May 20, 1996
Smith was nearly bankrupt in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and launched his acting career.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an ASCAP award winning, Emmy and Golden Globe award nominated, American television sitcom that aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The show starred Will Smith in a fish-out-of-water scenario. He is a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his wealthy relatives in a Bel-Air mansion. His lifestyle often clashes with that of his relatives there. 148 episodes were produced over six seasons.
Sheree Zampino
May 9, 1992 - December 1, 1995
Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995.
Independence Day
July 2, 1996
Independence Day (also known by its promotional abbreviation ID4) is a 1996 Academy Award-winning science fiction film about a hostile alien invasion of Earth. It was directed by Roland Emmerich, who co-wrote the script with producer Dean Devlin.
Men in Black
July 2, 1997
He played the comic and confident Agent J against Tommy Lee Jones's deadpan Agent K. Smith's acting in Men in Black won critical praise. He originally rejected the lead role in Men in Black, but wife Jada Pinkett Smith coaxed him into acceptance.
Big Willie Style
November 25, 1997
Big Willie Style is the first solo studio album recorded by Will Smith, after spending most of his career as the latter half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. The album was released on Columbia Records in the United States on November 25, 1997 and featured a total of four hit singles – "Men In Black" (released earlier in the year on the soundtrack for the movie of the same name), "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It" (which redefined popular use of the word jiggy), the retro-styled jam "Miami" and the meaningful message to fathers and sons of "Just the Two of Us".
Jada Pinkett
December 31, 1997 - Now
Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997.
Willennium
November 16, 1999
Willennium is the second solo studio album released by Will Smith. The album was released on Columbia Records in the United States on November 16, 1999 and featured the popular singles "Will 2K" and "Wild Wild West," which was also released earlier in the year on the soundtrack for the movie of the same name.
Restraining order for Mike Cooley
July 1, 2002
In July 2002, Smith and his wife Jada requested a restraining order for Mike Cooley, an ex-caretaker, who Smith alleged had been stalking the couple and their children for some time. Cooley allegedly demanded money or else he would file "a lawsuit against plaintiffs and to go to the National Enquirer and other press with 'embarrassing' allegations'". When the money was not paid, Cooley allegedly stalked and harassed the family still seeking money.
Lost and Found
March 29, 2005
Lost and Found is the first studio album by Will Smith on Interscope Records after several releases with Columbia. This is his first new release since Born To Reign in 2002 (which featured the Men in Black 2 song "Black Suits Comin' (Nod Ya Head)"), he released a Greatest Hits CD the same year. Released in early 2005, the album features the hit single "Switch". Guest artists on the album include Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris and long-time partner DJ Jazzy Jeff. The title comes from how he felt he was "lost" since he's put rap primarily on hold to do films, and "found" because he's back again. The album cover features Smith with a streetsign saying West Philly & Hollywood in reference to his Philadelphia roots and current Hollywood life as a superstar.
I Am Legend
December 14, 2007
Smith appeared in the film I Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite mixed reviews, its opening was the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December. Smith himself has said that he considers the film to be "aggressively unique".
