1968: Birth and Early Years:
- Born Willard Carroll Smith Jr. on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Raised in a devout Baptist family, along with his two siblings, by parents Willard Carroll Smith Sr. and Caroline Bright.
1980s: Rise in Hip-Hop and Music Career:
- Gained recognition as a rapper under the stage name "The Fresh Prince".
- Collaborated with DJ Jazzy Jeff, and together, they released several successful hip-hop albums.
1990: "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air":
- Starred in the popular sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," which premiered in 1990.
- The show catapulted Smith to international fame and lasted for six seasons until 1996.
1992: Film Breakthrough with "Men in Black":
- Made his big-screen debut with a leading role in the blockbuster sci-fi action comedy film "Men in Black" alongside Tommy Lee Jones.
1996: Marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith:
- Married actress Jada Pinkett Smith after meeting on the set of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
1997: Continued Success in Films:
- Starred in several commercially successful movies, including "Independence Day" and "Enemy of the State."
2001: "Ali" and Academy Award Nomination:
- Portrayed legendary boxer Muhammad Ali in the biopic "Ali."
- Received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2002: Launch of Overbrook Entertainment:
- Founded Overbrook Entertainment, a film and television production company, alongside James Lassiter.
2006: "The Pursuit of Happyness":
- Starred in the critically acclaimed drama "The Pursuit of Happyness," based on a true story.
- Earned his second Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2008: "I Am Legend":
- Headlined the post-apocalyptic thriller "I Am Legend," which became a global box office success.
2012: "Men in Black 3" and "Django Unchained":
- Reprised his role in "Men in Black 3" and starred in Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed film "Django Unchained."
2015: "Concussion" and Controversy:
- Portrayed Dr. Bennet Omalu in the sports drama "Concussion."
- Generated controversy for defending the film against criticism from the National Football League (NFL).
2016: Academy Awards Incident and Apology:
- Caused a stir at the 88th Academy Awards ceremony by slapping presenter Chris Rock over a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
- Later issued a public apology and resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
2021: Return to Acting and "Emancipation":
- Made a comeback to acting with the Apple TV+ historical drama "Emancipation," based on the true story of a runaway slave.
Other Notable Achievements:
- Throughout his career, Will Smith has won numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, and a BAFTA Award.
- He is known for his philanthropy and has supported various charitable organizations, particularly those focused on education and social justice.
- Smith has been recognized for his success in both music and film, establishing himself as one of Hollywood's most prominent leading men.