The Will Smith Handbook - Everything you need to know about Will Smith

Smith Emily

Description

Willard Christopher 'Will' Smith, Jr.(born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper.He has enjoyed success in television, film and music.

In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood. Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammy Awards.

This book is your ultimate resource for Will Smith. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, photos, and much more.

In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about his Early life, Career and Personal life right away. A quick look inside: Will Smith, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Where the Day Takes You, Made in America (film), Six Degrees of Separation (film), Bad Boys (1995 film), Independence Day (film), Men in Black (film), Enemy of the State (film), Torrance Rises, Wild Wild West, Welcome to Hollywood, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Ali (film), Men in Black II, Bad Boys II, All of Us, Jersey Girl (2004 film), I, Robot (film), Shark Tale, Hitch (film), The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend (film), Hancock (film), Lakeview Terrace, The Secret Life of Bees (film), Seven Pounds, The Karate Kid (2010 film), This Means War (film), Men in Black III

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• Informatique

Informations

• Publié par: Emereo Publishing
• Date de parution: 24 octobre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781743335321
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 9 Mo

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Combine the advantages of up-to-date and in-depth knowledge with the con- venience of printed books.

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e content within this book was generated collaboratively by volunteers. Please be advised that nothing found here has necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. Some information in this book maybe misleading or simply wrong. e publisher does not guarantee the validity of the infor- mation found here. If you need specic advice (for example, medical, legal, nancial, or risk management) please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.

Sources, licenses and contributors of the articles and images are listed in the section entitled “References”. Parts of the books may be licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. A copy of this license is included in the section entitled “GNU Free Documentation License”

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Contents

Articles Will Smith The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Where the Day Takes You Made in America (film) Six Degrees of Separation (film) Bad Boys (1995 film) Independence Day (film) Men in Black (film) Enemy of the State (film) Torrance Rises Wild Wild West Welcome to Hollywood The Legend of Bagger Vance Ali (film) Men in Black II Bad Boys II All of Us Jersey Girl (2004 film) I, Robot (film) Shark Tale Hitch (film) The Pursuit of Happyness I Am Legend (film) Hancock (film) Lakeview Terrace The Secret Life of Bees (film) Seven Pounds The Karate Kid (2010 film) This Means War (film) Men in Black III

References Article Sources and Contributors Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

1 9 16 19 21 24 29 41 46 50 51 57 60 64 69 74 78 81 85 91 98 100 106 119 129 134 138 143 149 151

155 162

Article Licenses License

163

Will Smith

Will Smith

Born

Will Smith

Smith in 2011

Willard Christopher Smith, Jr. September 25, 1968 Wynnefield, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Other namesThe Fresh Prince

Occupation

Years active

Spouse

Children

Actor, producer, rapper

1985–present

Sheree Zampino (m. 199–21995) Jada Pinkett Smith (m. 199–7present)

Trey Smith Jaden Smith Willow Smith

Website

[1] willsmith.com

[2] Willard Christopher"Will"Smith, Jr.(born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage nameThe Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April [3] 2007,Newsweekcalled him the most powerful actor in Hollywood. Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammy Awards.

In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity increased dramatically when he starred in the popular television seriesThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show ran for nearly six years (1990–1996) on NBC and has been syndicated consistently on various networks since then. In the mid-1990s, Smith moved from television to film, and ultimately starred in numerous blockbuster films. He is the only actor to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in the domestic box office and the only one to [4] have eight consecutive films in which he starred open at #1 spot in the domestic box office tally.

Fourteen of the nineteen fiction films he has acted in have accumulated worldwide gross earnings of over $100 million, and four took in over $500 million in global box office receipts. As of 2011, his films have grossed $5.7 [5] billion in global box office. His most financially successful films have beenBad Boys,Bad Boys II,Independence

1

Will Smith

Day,Men in Black,Men in Black II,I, Robot,The Pursuit of Happyness,I Am Legend,Hancock,Wild Wild West, Enemy of the State,Shark Tale,HitchandSeven Pounds. He also earned critical praise for his performances inSix Degrees of Separation,AliandThe Pursuit of Happyness, receiving Best Actor Oscar nominations for the latter two.

Family and early life Smith was born and raised in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and also spent time in Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline (nae Bright), was a school administrator who worked for the Philadelphia school [6] [7] [8] board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration engineer. He was raised Baptist. His [9] [10] parents separated when he was thirteen, and did not actually divorce until around 2000. It is untrue, though widely reported, that Smith turned down a scholarship to attend the Massachusetts Institute of [11] Technology (MIT); he never applied to the school, although he was admitted to a "pre-engineering program" [10] there. According to Smith, "My mother, who worked for the School Board of Philadelphia, had a friend who was the admissions officer at MIT. I had pretty high SAT scores and they needed black kids, so I probably could have [12] gotten in. But I had no intention of going to college."

Recording and acting career

Early work (1985–1995)

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 [13] 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 [13] Understand" and "Summertime". They gained critical acclaim and [13] won the first Grammy awarded in the Rap category (1988). Smith had a line in "Voices That Care", a 1991 Persian Gulf War song by a Smith at the Emmy Awards in 1993 celebrity group. Smith spent money freely during his early career and [13] underpaid his income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his [14] income. Smith was nearly bankrupt in 1990, when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built [13] a sitcom,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and began his acting career. Smith set for himself the goal of becoming "the biggest movie star in the world," studying box office successes' common [9] characteristics. His first major roles were in the dramaSix Degrees of Separation(1993) and the action filmBad Boys(1995).

Breakthrough (1996–2000) In 1996, Smith starred as part of an ensemble cast in Roland Emmerich'sIndependence Day. The film was a massive blockbuster, becoming the second highest grossing film in history at the time and establishing Smith as a prime box [15] [13] office draw. In 1998, Smith starred with Gene Hackman inEnemy of the State. He turned down the role of Neo inThe Matrixin favor ofWild Wild West(1999). Despite the disappointment ofWild Wild West, Smith has said that he harbors no regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was superior to what [16] Smith himself would have achieved.

2

Will Smith

International success (2001–present)

In 2005, Smith was entered into the Guinness Book of World Records for [17] attending a record breaking three premieres in a 24-hour time span. He has planned to star in a feature film remake of the television seriesIt Takes a [18] Thief.

On December 10, 2007, Smith was recognized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the [19] world renowned theater in front of many fans. Later that month, Smith starred in the filmI Am Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite marginally [20] positive 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 [21] to be "aggressively unique". A reviewer said that the film's commercial success "cemented [Smith's] standing as the number one box office draw in [22] Hollywood." On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Smith has been selected as one of America’s top ten most fascinating people of 2008 for a [23] Barbara Walters ABC special that aired on December 4, 2008.

Smith is currently developing a film entitledThe Last Pharaoh, in which he will [24] star as Taharqa.

Smith in September 2009

President Barack Obama has stated that if a film were to ever be made about his life, he would have Smith play his part, because "he has the ears". Obama stated that the two have discussed a possibility of a film based on the 2008 [25] election, but this may not happen until the end of the Obama presidency.

He is currently filmingMen in Black IIIfor a 2012 release playing Agent J one of his more popular earlier roles, making this his first major starring role in four years. [26] On August 19, 2011, it was announced that Smith had returned to the studio with producer La Mar Edwards to make a new album. Edwards has worked with artists such as T.I., Chris Brown, and Game.

Personal life

Smith was raised by his parents in West Philadelphia. Smith credits his father's dedication when discussing his own involvement in the lives of his three children: "I look at my father and how he was able to keep four kids fed and [27] clothed and still managed to find time to spend with us." Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard Christopher Smith III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his father's music video for the 1998 single "Just the Two of Us". Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in [28] 1997 and practice an open marriage. Together they have had two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998), his co-star inThe Pursuit of Happyness, and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000), who appeared as his daughter inI Am Legend. Along with his brother, Harry Smith, he owns Treyball Development [29] Inc., a Beverly Hills-based company named after his first son. Smith and his family reside on Star Island in Miami Beach, Florida and in Los Angeles, [30] Stockholm, Sweden and Philadelphia.

Nobel Peace Prize Concert December 11, 2009, in Oslo, Norway: Smith with wife Jada and children Jaden and Willow

3

Will Smith

Smith was consistently listed in Fortune Magazine's "Richest 40" list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40 and according to magazine articleCelebrity Net WorthSmith's estimated net personal wealth is stated at $188 [31] [32] million . He donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama. December 11, 2009, [33] Smith and his wife hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, when Obama had won the prize.

Smith has said he has studied multiple religions, including Scientology, and he has said many complimentary things about Scientology and other faiths. Despite his praise of Scientology, Smith said "I just think a lot of the ideas in [34] [35] Scientology are brilliant and revolutionary and non-religious" and "Ninety-eight percent of the principles in Scientology are identical to the principles of the Bible.... I don't think that because the word someone uses for spirit [36] is 'thetan' that the definition becomes any different." He has denied having joined the Church of Scientology, [37] saying "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions, and I respect all people and all paths." Smith gave $1.3 million to charities in 2007, of which $450,000 went to two Christian ministries, and $122,500 went to three Scientology organizations; the remaining beneficiaries included "a Los Angeles mosque, other Christian-based [38] schools and churches, and [...] the Yitzhak Rabin Memorial Center in Israel". Smith and his wife have also founded a private elementary school in Calabasas, California, the New Village Leadership Academy, which has attracted controversy and speculation over its use of Study Technology, a teaching methodology developed by L. [39] Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Discography

With DJ Jazzy Jeff bRock the House(1987) bHe's the DJ, I'm the Rapper(1988) bAnd in This Corner...(1989) bHomebase(1991) bCode Red(1993)

Solo bBig Willie Style(1997) bWillennium(1999) Born to Reign(2002) Lost and Found(2005)

Filmography

Year

1990

1992

1993

1995

Film

Saturday Morning Videos

ABC Afterschool Special–"The Perfect Date"

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Blossom

Where the Day Takes You

Made in America

Six Degrees of Separation

Bad Boys

Host

Hawker

Role

William "Will" Smith

Fresh Prince

Manny

Tea Cake Walters

Paul

Detective Mike Lowrey

TV

TV

TV (1990–1996)

Notes

TV, Cameo, episode 18 "I'm with the Band"

4

Alex "Hitch" Hitchens

Robert Clayton Dean

Captain Steven "Steve" Hiller, USMC

James Darrell Edwards / Agent J

MTV Movie Award for Best Performance Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor–Motion Picture Drama Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Captain James "Jim" West

1997

1998

Will Smith

1996

Men in Black

Independence Day

Detective Del Spooner

Enemy of the State

Torrance Rises

1999

Wild Wild West

Producer Nominated—BET Award for Best Actor Nominated—Black Movie Award for Best Actor Nominated—Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

I, Robot

2005

There's a God on the Mic

Shark Tale

Hitch

The Seat Filler

5

Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

MTV Movie Award for Best Fight MTV Movie Award for Best Song From a Movie

Bagger Vance

Muhammad Ali

2001

Ali

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Jersey Girl

2004

Girlfriend by B2K

A Closer Walk

2003

All of Us

Bad Boys II

Detective Mike Lowrey

Johnny

Narrator

Himself

TV, 3 episodes (2003–2004); Creator/Executive Producer

Music video

Himself

Producer Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Documentary

Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Uncredited Cameo

BET Award for Best Actor Nominated—Black Reel Award for Best Actor

Documentary

Executive Producer; Independent Film

Voice

Oscar

TV, Cameo

Himself

Men in Black II

American Chopper

2002

Cameo

2000

Welcome to Hollywood

TV Series;Episode 14 of Season 2 which aired on April 13, 1997.Episode also starred Chris Rock and Della Reese

James Darrell Edwards / Agent J

Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

MTV Movie Award for Best Kiss

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Pinocchio

Himself

$272,940,870

N/A

Made in America

Six Degrees of Separation

Where the Day Takes You

Independence Day

Wild Wild West

2013

Men in Black

Enemy of the State

$113,805,681

$111,549,836

$250,690,539

$75m

$90m

$170m

Will Smith

$817,400,878

James Darrell Edwards / Agent J

[40] Men in Black III

Producer Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor Nominated—Black Reel Award for Best Actor Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor–Motion Picture Drama Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

2010

$222,105,681

$587,790,539

$250,649,836

Taharqa

$306,169,255

$75m

$107m

$190,418,803

$140m

The Secret Life of Bees

The Karate Kid

$60m

2012

$84,383,966

$161,192,000

$348,601,023

$441,818,803

$144,801,023

$120m

$138,540,870

$58,183,966

Hancock

2008

Chris Gardner

Seven Pounds

6

This Means War

Year

1993

Shark Tale

I, Robot

Bad Boys II

Men in Black II

Ali

John Hancock

$6,284,090

$390,152

$390,152

[41] U.S. gross

$104,942,695

$6,284,090

Post-production

$44,942,695

Producer Nominated–Saturn Award for Best Actor

Producer

Producer MTV Movie Award for Best Performance Saturn Award for Best Actor Nominated—BET Award for Best Actor Nominated—NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Producer

Producer

Producer

The Pursuit of Happyness

2006

Lakeview Terrace

2007

Ben Thomas

I Am Legend

Dr. Robert Neville

Pre-production

Producer Post-production

Budget

$23m

$30,695,227

$80m

$367,192,000

$141,247,413

[41] Worldwide gross

Box office grosses

The Last Pharaoh

$65,647,413

$39,235,486

Title

Bad Boys

1992

2002

2001

2004

2003

1995

1999

1998

1997

1996

2000

The Legend of Bagger Vance

Will Smith

References

2005

2006

2007

2008

Hitch

The Pursuit of Happyness

I Am Legend

Hancock

Seven Pounds

$70m

$55m

$150m

$55m

$177,784,257

$162,586,036

$256,393,010

$227,946,274

$69,369,933

$366,784,257

$306,086,036

$585,055,701

$624,346,274

$166,617,328

[1] http://www.willsmith.com/ [2] Ankeny, Jason. "Will Smith > Overview" (http:/ /www.allmusic.com/artist/p278403). Allmusic. . Retrieved June 30, 2010. [3] Sean Smith (2007-04-09). "The $4 Billion Man" (http:/ /www.newsweek.com/2007/04/15/the-4-billion-man.html).Newsweek. . Retrieved July 7, 2011. [4] "WEEKEND ESTIMATES: 'Hancock' Delivers $107M 5-Day Opening, Giving Will Smith a Record Eighth Consecutive $100M Grossing Movie!; 'WALL-E' with $33M 3-Day; 'Wanted' Down 60 Percent for $20.6M; 'Kit Kittredge' a Disaster!" (http:/ /news.fantasymoguls.com/ originalcontent/2008/07/early-wednesday.html). Fantasy Moguls. 2008-07-03. . Retrieved 2008-07-07. [5] Staskiewicz, Keith. "Will Smith's Road to Superstardom".Entertainment Weekly. July 8, 2011. page 10 [6] "Will Smith Biography (1968–)" (http://www.filmreference.com/film/92/Will-Smith.html). Filmreference.com. . Retrieved 2010-06-23. [7] "Where there's a Will, there's a way" (http:/ /www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2004/08/09/2003198111). Taipei Times. 2004-08-09. . [8] Strauss, Bob (2007-12-14). "Will Smith on power, dogs and Cruise" (http:/ /www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ent/movies/5377381.html). Houston Chronicle. . Retrieved 2011-07-24. [9] Rebecca Winters Keegan (2007-11-29). "The Legend of Will Smith" (http:/ /www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1689234,00. html).Time. . [10] " Will Smith (http://www.bravotv.com/Inside_the_Actors_Studio/guest/Will_Smith)". James Lipton (producer).Inside the Actors Studio. Bravo. 2002-01-13. No. 806, season 8. [11] Jennifer Hillner; Wu, JS; Hyland, B; Lu, XD; Chen, JJ (December 2007). "I, Robocop" (http:/ /www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.07/ smith.html).Wired46(8): 833–9. doi:10.1007/s11517-008-0355-6. PMID 18509686. . [12] Meg Grant (December 2006). "Will Smith Interview: Will's Roots" (http:/ /www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=31133). Reader's Digest. . Retrieved 2006-06-27. [13] Stated onInside the Actors Studio, 2002 [14] Smith, Will (2007-12-02). Interview with Steve Kroft. 60 Minutes. CBS. [15] "Independence Day" (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=independenceday.htm). Box Office Mojo. . Retrieved 2011-07-24. [16] "Smith has no Matrix Regrets" (http:/ /www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/smith has no matrix regrets). Contactmusic.com. . Retrieved 2010-06-23. [17] Daniel Saney (2005-02-23). "Will Smith in Guinness Book of Records" (http:/ /www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a19424/ will-smith-in-guinness-book-of-records.html). Digital Spy. . [18] Gabriel Snyder; Michael Fleming (2006-03-21). "U finds man of steal for 'Thief' feature" (http:/ /www.variety.com/article/ VR1117940129.html). Variety. . [19] "''HHWorlds.com''–/www.hhworlds.com/f11/Will Smith Immortalized At Grauman's Chinese Theater" (http:/ 12-11-07-will-smith-immortalized-grauman-s-chinese-theater-9841. html#post102972). Hhworlds.com. . Retrieved 2010-06-23. [20] "I Am Legend" (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_am_legend/). Rotten Tomatoes. . Retrieved 2010-06-23. [21] Will Smith: He is a legend (http:/ /www.stv.tv/content/out/film/videointerviews/display.html?id=opencms:/out/films/ video_interviews/will_smith_i_am_legend_interview) video interview with stv.tv, December 2007 [22] Gitesh Pandya (2007-12-16). "Box Office Guru Wrapup: Will Smith Rescues Industry With Explosive Opening For I Am Legend" (http:/ / www.rottentomatoes.com/news/1697664). Rotten Tomatoes. . Retrieved 2007-12-17. [23] Barbara Walters Gets Up Close with 2008's Most Fascinating People (http:/ /www.tvguide.com/News/Barbara-Walters-Special-1000398. aspx)"TV Guide. December 1, 2008. Retrieved on December 3, 2008. [24] "Will Smith set to conquer Egypt?" (http:/ /jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Artists/S/Smith_Will/2008/03/23/5078376-sun.html). Jam Showbiz. 2008-03-23. . Retrieved 2008-03-23. [25] "In the movie of Obama's life, he'd pick Will Smith to star" (http:/ /www.suntimes.com/entertainment/people/ 813369,obamamovies022608.article). Sun-Times. 2008-02-26. . Retrieved 2009-12-09. "Will and I have talked about this because he has the ears!" [26] "Will Smith making a new album? A producer says yes" (http:/ /music-mix.ew.com/2011/08/19/will-smith-new-album/).Entertainment Weekly. . [27] "Becoming ... Will Smith" (http:/ /www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,661258_5,00.html). People. 2005-03-28. . Retrieved 2010-05-16. [28] http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a111657/will-smith-i-have-an-open-marriage.html Shobiz - News

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