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Entertainment • Actor

Will Smith

Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and film producer born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and film producer born on September 25, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He became a major film star after early success in music and television, and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in *King Richard* (2021).

Early life and career

Will Smith was born in Philadelphia and first rose to prominence in music before becoming a television and film star. He first gained wide fame as a rapper and through the television series *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*. He is widely known for his charismatic screen presence and crossover success in entertainment.

Film career

Smith became one of Hollywood's most successful leading men through major box-office films such as *Bad Boys*, *Independence Day*, *Men in Black*, and *Aladdin*. He later earned critical acclaim for *King Richard*, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Personal life

Smith married actress Jada Pinkett in 1997; they have been publicly described as separated while remaining legally married. Public sources identify three children: Trey, Jaden, and Willow.

2022 Oscars incident

At the 94th Academy Awards, Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock after a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. The Academy later imposed a 10-year ban on his attendance at its events.

Key facts

  • Will Smith is an American actor, rapper, and film producer.
  • He first gained wide fame as a rapper and through *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*.
  • He won the Academy Award for Best Actor for *King Richard*.
  • He is married to Jada Pinkett Smith and has three children.
  • At the 2022 Oscars, he slapped Chris Rock and was banned from Oscar ceremonies for 10 years.
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Canadian context

Will Smith has had wide release and strong box-office visibility in Canada through major Hollywood films, making him a familiar figure to Canadian film and television audiences.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Will Smith?
Will Smith was born on September 25, 1968, which makes him 57 years old as of July 2026.
What movies has Will Smith been in?
His best-known films include *Bad Boys*, *Independence Day*, *Men in Black*, *Ali*, *I, Robot*, *Hitch*, *The Pursuit of Happyness*, *I Am Legend*, *Hancock*, *Aladdin*, and *King Richard*.
What happened at the Oscars with Will Smith?
At the 2022 Oscars, Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith later apologized, and the Academy banned him from its ceremonies for 10 years.
Who is Will Smith married to?
Will Smith is married to actress Jada Pinkett Smith; they married in 1997 and have been publicly described as separated, while remaining legally married.
What is Will Smith's net worth?
Reliable public estimates vary, but many current entertainment profiles place his net worth at about $350 million.
How many children does Will Smith have?
Will Smith has three children: Trey, Jaden, and Willow.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_Smith
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, occupations, spouse, and children.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Will-Smith
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, career overview, and notable films.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000226/
    Supports: Marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith and children.
  4. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/will-smith
    Supports: Marriage, children, and separation status.
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/facts/Will-Smith
    Supports: Age, birthplace, and marriage information.
  6. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Academy_Awards
    Supports: Oscars incident context and Academy response.
  7. BiographieStart — https://biographiestart.com/en/actors/will-smith-biography/
    Supports: Recent public net worth estimate around $350 million.