Will Smith Net Worth

You’d be surprised to find out that the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith, has a lot more interesting facts than you know. The American actor, producer, and rapper has enjoyed a lot of stardom since his fictionalized character in the 90s. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air introduced the talents that you’ve grown to love the most about Will Smith. From music and television, Smith has grown into a global household name. His international box office records and films that have grossed close to $10 billion globally have made Will Smith one of the most important names in Hollywood. Will Smith’s net worth is a topic that leaves everyone in disbelief, so find out more about what this international sensation has achieved over time. 

Will Smith’s Early Life 

Did you know that Will Smith was born Willard Carroll Smith? He was born on the 25th of September in 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother, Caroline, was a school board administrator and his father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr, was an Air Force Veteran. 

Will Smith has three siblings; his older sister Pamela, and two younger twin siblings, Ellen and Harry Smith. They grew up in West Philadelphia in the Wynnefield neighborhood, where they attended a Catholic elementary school, Lady of Lourdes. At the young age of 13, when he was attending Overbrook High School, Will Smith’s parents separated.

A year before this monumental point in his life, Will Smith began to rap. His grandmother discovered his notebook full of rap lyrics. Due to his Catholic upbringing, Will’s grandmother believed that his interest in rap was a rebellious act.

Will Smith Career

In 1985, Will Smith met Jeffrey “Dj Jazzy Jeff” Townes at a house party and soon formed a hip-hop duo. Soon after, Will Smith decided to include his friend, Clarence Holmes aka Ready Rock C to make it a trio. The following year, the trio released their first single under Word Records. 

This marked the beginning of Will Smith’s famous story-telling raps. Their single “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble” became a hit before Will Smith graduated from high school. This brought them to the attention of Russel Simmons and his then record label, Jive Records. 

In the same year, they released their first album, Rock the House on Word Up. Two years later, Smiff and Townes received their first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance for their song “Parents Just Don’t Understand”. But, their most successful single was “Summertime”, and it earned them their second Grammy Award nod. 

They peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, but this didn’t stop Will Smith from going through financial difficulties in 1990. Luckily, the NBC network signed a sitcom contract with Smith in the same year that was the start of his successful career. This is when Will Smith decided to become one of the biggest movie stars in the world.

Film Career

In 1993, Will Smith had a breakthrough in a drama role in Six Degrees of Separation. Two years later, he was cast in the first Bad Boys sequel alongside Martin Lawrence. Although there was mixed critical reception of his role, the movie did well at the box office as it grossed over $140 million.

The following year, Smith starred in a massive blockbuster film, Independence Day. At the time, this movie made history as one of the highest-grossing films. It opened major doors for Will Smith, who soon starred in Men in Black alongside Tommy Lee Jones for Columbia Pictures. 

Music Career

In the same year, Will Smith decided to start his solo music career. Smith recorded the theme song for Men in Black and topped the singles charts. It was part of his debut album, Big Willie Style, with his second single, Just Cruisin’. Not only did he break a record by reaching the top ten of the US Billboard 200, but the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified his album nine times platinum. 

Other notable movies that Will Smith starred in are Enemy of the State, Wild Wild West, and Ali. In fact, Will Smith turned down the role of Neo in the Matrix to star in Wild Wild West. Smith didn’t regret it because his second studio album, Willennium, was supported by this film’s theme song, which featured Dru Hill and Kool Moe Dee.

Will Smith Personal Life

Owing to the Fresh Prince role, Will Smith has enjoyed immense success over the years. His personal life has been public knowledge since he married Sheree Zampino in 1992. Together they have a son, Willard Carroll “Trey” Smith III. They later divorced, and he went on to marry Jada Pinkett Smith, whom he has two children with, Jaden Smith and Willow Smith.

Controversy

Lately, Will Smith and his wife have made the news because of shocking headlines such as their open marriage speculations. More recently, Will has been making the news about his spat with comedian Chris Rock. During live streaming of the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, after winning his Best Actor Award for King Richard, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for a joke made about his wife’s medical condition. 

Investments

Will Smith owns a company with his brother, Harry. Apart from this, Will Smith has made a chunk of his net worth from his movie salaries and bonuses. It is estimated that he has made more than $200 million since he started his acting career.

Real Estate

When he isn’t in front of the camera, the Fresh Prince and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, make a lot of profit from the real estate that they own. Currently, it’s estimated that they have a total of 10 properties, with a Santa Fey property that’s valued at more than $50 million.

Awards

Will Smith has been nominated and won a lot of prestigious awards. His recent one was an Academy nod for his role as Richard Williams in the 2021 biopic, King Richard. He has two BET awards, two Academy Award nominations, the MTV Movie Awards, an Image Award, and the People’s Choice Awards. 

Will Smith FAQs