Will Smith landed his first acting role in the NBC sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which premiered in 1990. For six seasons, Smith starred as the lead character, Will Smith, a teenager from West Philadelphia who moves in with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air. The show was a massive success, and it launched Will Smith’s career as an actor.
Following the end of the sitcom in 1996, Will Smith appeared in his first major film role as a leading actor, in the movie, Independence Day. Directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day tells the story of an alien invasion of Earth, with Will Smith playing the role of a Marine Corps fighter pilot named Captain Steven Hiller. The movie grossed over $817 million worldwide, cementing Will Smith’s position as a box office draw.
In 1997, Will Smith starred in the movie, Men in Black, as Agent J, a member of a secret organization that protects the Earth from extraterrestrial threats. The film’s success spawned two sequels, with Will Smith reprising his role in each one. Men in Black franchise was culminated with Men in Black III in 2012.
Will Smith also starred in a biographical sports drama, Ali, in which he played the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, who rose to fame during the 1960s and 1970s. The movie received critical acclaim and earned Will Smith his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
Another notable movie in Will Smith’s filmography is The Pursuit of Happyness, which was released in 2006, and based on the true story of Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who became homeless, before eventually establishing a successful career as a stockbroker. Will Smith played the role of Chris Gardner in the movie, and his performance was highly praised by critics.
In 2007, Will Smith starred in I Am Legend, based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson. In the movie, Smith played the character of a scientist named Robert Neville, who is immune to a virus that has decimated humanity. Will Smith’s performance in the film was highly lauded and is considered one of his best works.
In 2012, Will Smith starred in the science fiction film, Men in Black III, and in 2013, he played the lead role in the movie, After Earth, alongside his son Jaden Smith. Despite receiving mixed reviews, After Earth was still successful at the box office.
In 2016, Will Smith starred in the movie, Suicide Squad, a superhero film based on the DC Comics supervillains. Smith played the character of Deadshot, a hired assassin who is recruited by a secret government agency to fight crime. The movie was a box office success, grossing over $746 million worldwide.
In conclusion, Will Smith’s filmography is a testament to his skill and versatility as an actor, with roles in blockbuster movies, biopics, and science fiction films. Smith’s ability to bring his characters to life and imbue them with nuance and emotion has earned him a place among the greatest actors of his generation.