WILL SMITH (Oscar) has enjoyed success in a career encompassing hit films, his own television series and multi-platinum records. He earned an Academy Award® nomination for his portrayal of boxing legend Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s acclaimed biopic “Ali.” In addition, he received Golden Globe and Image Award nominations for the role and was named the 2002’s Male Star of the Year at ShoWest.
This year, Smith continued his succession of mega-hit July releases with the sci-fi smash “I, Robot,” taken from the book by Isaac Asimov and directed by Alex Proyas, on which Smith served as an executive producer. In July 2003, he reunited with Martin Lawrence for “Bad Boys II,” the sequel to their 1995 hit “Bad Boys.” Smith had earlier starred in two blockbusters that topped the box office in back-to-back summers. In 1996, he took on alien invaders in Roland Emmerich’s science fiction actioner “Independence Day.” The following year, he starred with Tommy Lee Jones in Barry Sonnenfeld’s sci-fi comedy “Men in Black,” for which Smith also recorded the Grammy-winning title song. In 2002, Smith, Jones and Sonnenfeld reteamed for the sequel “Men in Black II.”
Smith was already a Grammy-winning recording artist when he made his successful transition to acting in television and films. Following roles in the movies “Where the Day Takes You” and “Made in America,” he received widespread critical acclaim for his starring role in the drama “Six Degrees of Separation,” with Stockard Channing and Donald Sutherland. In 1995, he was named ShoWest’s Male Star of Tomorrow.
His film credits also include “Enemy of the State,” opposite Gene Hackman, for which he earned an Image Award nomination; “Wild Wild West,” for which he also recorded the hit title song; and the title role in Robert Redford’s “The Legend of Bagger Vance,” which brought him an Image Award nomination. He next stars in the romantic comedy “Hitch,” for director Andy Tennant, which Smith is also producing.
Smith began his career in the music industry while still in high school. Teaming with his friend Jeff Townes to form DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Smith became a chart-topping rap artist. Together, they recorded several platinum and multi-platinum albums, and won numerous awards, including two Grammys and three American Music Awards.
Smith’s musical success led to his starring in the hit television sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” which ran for six years on NBC. Smith earned two Golden Globe Award nominations and two Image Award nominations for his work on the show.
Continuing to record, Smith released his first solo album, Big Willie Style, in 1998, for which he won a Grammy and four American Music Awards. In 1999, he was honored at the Image Awards as the Entertainer of the Year. His next CD, Willennium, featuring the hit single “Will2K,” went double platinum. As a producer, Smith is partnered with James Lassiter in Overbrook Entertainment. Under the Overbrook banner, Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, co-created and produced the UPN comedy series “All of Us.”
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