Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Will Smith Biography

Birth Name:Willard Carroll Smith

Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Actor, Producer, Writer, Director

Fast Facts

Celebrated his birthday in 2010 by raising money for Charity: Water to provide clean water in developing nations
Is the father of Trey Smith, actor Jaden Smith and singer Willow Smith
Married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997
Turned down admission to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for engineering in order to pursue a music career with his childhood friend, DJ Jazzy Jeff
Released his first album with DJ Jazzy Jeff, "Rock the House," to great success in 1987
Quote: "I really believe that a man and a woman together, raising a family, is the purest form of happiness we can experience․"
Quote: "I want to do good․ I want the world to be better because I was here․ I want my life, I want my work, my family, I want it to mean something․ It's like if you are not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time․ Your life will become better by making other lives better"
Is known for playing police or government agents as well as characters with charismatic influence
Known for portraying characters who have the ability to charm their way out of trouble, as with his roles in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "Six Degrees of Separation" and "Hitch․"
Refused to use profanity in his rap lyrics after his grandmother told him he didn't need swearing to express himself
Has shown on television that he can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 55 seconds
Based his performance in "Independence Day" off of actor Harrison Ford's action film roles
Chose to perform in "Wild Wild West" rather than take the role of Neo in "The Matrix," later claiming actor Keanu Reeves handled the role of Neo better than he would have
Co-hosted the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize Concert to honor recipient President Barack Obama

Awards

1991Blimp Award-Favorite TV Actor: winner
1991Blimp Award-Favorite TV Friends: winner
1993Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1993Blimp Award-Favorite TV Actor: nominated
1994ASCAP Award-Top TV Series: winner
1994CFCA Award-Most Promising Actor: nominated
1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1994Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1996Blimp Award-Favorite Television Actor: nominated
1996MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1996Universe Reader's Choice Award-Best Actor in a Genre Motion Picture: winner
1997Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
1997Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Science Fiction: winner
1997Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
1997MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: winner
1997MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actor: nominated
1998ASCAP Award-Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures: winner
1998Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
1998Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Sci-Fi: winner
1998Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: winner
1998MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1998MTV Movie Award-Best Movie Song: winner
1998MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
1998MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: winner
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy/Horror Actor: nominated
1998OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Action/Adventure: winner
1999Image Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
1999MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
1999Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Actor: nominated
1999Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
1999Stinker Award-Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or its End Credits: nominated
2000ASCAP Award-Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures: winner
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Song from a Movie (Internet Only): nominated
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Action Team: nominated
2000Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
2000Blimp Award-Favorite Song from a Movie: winner
2000Razzie Award-Worst Original Song: winner
2000Razzie Award-Worst Screen Couple: winner
2001Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actor - Drama/Romance: nominated
2001Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2002Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2002BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2002Black Reel-Theatrical - Best Actor: nominated
2002Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2002Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2002MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: winner
2002Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Actor, Drama/Action Adventure: nominated
2002Stinker Award-Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or its End Credits: nominated
2003Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: winner
2003Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
2003VES Award-Best Performance by an Actor in an Effects Film: nominated
2004Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2004MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Team: nominated
2004NRJ Ciné Award-Best Buddy Movie (Meilleur buddy movie): winner
2004TV Land Award-Favorite "Fish Out of Water": nominated
2005BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2005BET Comedy Award-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Theatrical Film: nominated
2005BET Comedy Award-Best Performance in an Animated Theatrical Film: nominated
2005Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2005Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2005Jupiter Award-Best International Actor: winner
2005Blimp Award-Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie: winner
2005MTV Movie Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
2005MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Rockstar Moment: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: winner
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Love Scene: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Blush Scene: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Liplock: nominated
2005Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Dance Scene: nominated
2006ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2006Black Movie Award-Outstanding Motion Picture: nominated
2006Black Reel-Best Film: nominated
2006Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2006CFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2006Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2006Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: winner
2006SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2007BET Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007Black Reel-Best Film: nominated
2007Black Reel-Best Actor: nominated
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007Fright Meter Award-Best Actor: nominated
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2007Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2007IOMA-Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista): nominated
2007Blimp Award-Favorite Male Movie Star: nominated
2007MTV Movie Award-Best Performance: nominated
2007NRJ Ciné Award-International Star of the Year: winner
2007Modern Master Award-: winner
2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Drama: winner
2007Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie: Chemistry: winner
2008Saturn Award-Best Actor: winner
2008Black Reel-Best Film: nominated
2008Black Reel-Best Film: nominated
2008Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2008MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: winner
2008National Movie Award-Best Performance - Male: nominated
2008Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Horror/Thriller: winner
2009Saturn Award-Best Actor: nominated
2009BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2009Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2009Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: winner
2009People's Choice Award-Favorite Superhero: nominated
2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Chemistry: nominated
2012Teen Choice Award-Choice Summer Movie Star: Male: nominated
2013Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
2014MTV Movie Award-Best Fight: nominated
2014Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: winner
2014Razzie Award-Worst Screen Combo: winner
2014Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
2015AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2015Hollywood Film Award-Actor of the Year: winner
2016Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, Motion Picture: nominated
2016DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2016Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016MTV Movie Award-Best Male Performance: nominated
2016MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
2016Creative Impact in Acting Award-: winner
2016Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: AnTEENcipated: nominated
2017Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2019Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2019National Film and Television Award-Best Actor: nominated
2019People's Choice Award-Favorite Male Movie Star: nominated
2019Teen Choice Award-Choice Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movie Actor: winner
2020AFCA Award-Best Motion Capture/Special Effects Performance: nominated
2020AFCA Award-Best Motion Capture/Special Effects Performance: nominated
2020Huading Award-Best Global Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2020Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
2020LEJA Award-Best Voice or Motion Capture Performance: nominated
2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Male Movie Star: winner
2020People's Choice Award-Favorite Action Movie Star: nominated
2020Redeemer Award-: nominated
2021BFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2021CCA Super Award-Best Actor in an Action Movie: nominated
2021DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021GWNYFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021Pioneering Spirit Award-Pioneering Spirit Award: winner
2021Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2021IFJA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021ICP Award-Best Performance: nominated
2021Sierra Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021TV Award-Best TV: winner
2021NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
2021NTFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021OAFFC Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
2021PCA Award-Best Male Leading Role: nominated
2021Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2021SEFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021SFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021WAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2021WFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
2022AACTA International Award-Best Lead Actor: nominated
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2022Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2022Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2022AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2022EDA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actor: winner
2022BET Award-Best Actor: winner
2022Black Movie Award-Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Actor: winner
2022Black Reel-Outstanding Motion Picture: winner
2022CIC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022COFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: winner
2022DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022DFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022GAFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: nominated
2022Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
2022Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
2022HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022HCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022HFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner
2022ICFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022IFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022LEJA Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2022LEJA Award-Best Picture: nominated
2022MNFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022MCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022NCFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2022Ensemble Cast Award-: winner
2022Redeemer Award-: winner
2022SFBAFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2022Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2023Beacon Award-: winner
2023Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: winner