Will Smith’s Career

“My grandmother once told me, 'Don't let failure go to your

heart and don't let success go to your head.'”

-Will Smith

Will Smith is finally back and we couldn’t be more excited! His last film After Earth certainly wasn’t his best, but we’re confident that his new film Focus also starring the beautiful and talented Margot Robbie will make him the screen king again. Focus comes out February 26, 2015. Let’s take a look back on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his journey from West Philadelphia to the big screen.

West Philadelphia, Born and Raised

Willard Christopher Smith Jr. (this name was a little too long for movie posters, hence the change to Will Smith) was born to Willard Carroll Smith, Sr., owner of a refrigeration company, and Caroline (Bright), a school board employee. Smith was a child of the middle class area of West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School. It was here that Smith got a nickname that stuck, Prince

It’s said that this nickname fit because Smith could charm his way out of trouble. That seems about right. Though Smith got into trouble, he was also incredibly bright and signed up for the Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School.

From the Fresh Prince to Hollywood Hero

 Smith, as most of us know, originally pursued a career in music where he met Jeffrey A. Towndes who later became known as D.J. Jazzy Jeff. Smith and Towndes began performing together and were rolling in cash, but unfortunately these two young performers were spending more than they were banking which nearly bankrupted the twenty-somethings.

 The Fresh Prince found a savior though in Benny Medina who pitched Smith a sitcom idea that centered around him as a Philadelphian who was forced to move to Beverly Hills. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was born! The rest is history. Will Smith became a household name with his six season stint on Fresh Prince and took off as a professional actor with huge roles in Men in Black (his breakout film role), Ali (for which he was nominated for an Oscar), I, Robot, I am Legend, and Hancock.

The Future of Smith

Now Smith is back in a big way and has no less than five films coming down the pipeline including the highly anticipated Suicide Squad which will feature DC Comics characters Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), and the first performance of the Joker since Heath Ledger’s Oscar winning performance. Jared Leto will take clown duties this time around. Smith might also find himself in the running for Oscar again with his role in Concussion, a film that examines the head injuries football players suffer.

Focus is out at Aksarben Cinema on February 26, 2015. For more information on this and all our great films visit Aksarben Cinema’s website and Facebook page. See you at the movies!