Trivia

He has solved Rubik's cubes in both The Alma Matter (1993) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). This is a real talent of his; he has shown on live TV that he can solve a Rubik's Cube in under 55 seconds.

Once stated that in his whole career, he most regrets turning down the part of Neo in The Matrix (1999) and the film that he most regrets making was Wild Wild West (1999).

Was a millionaire before the age of 20.

Incorporates the line "Aw, hell no!" into all his movies as a running catch phrase like Arnold Schwarzenegger's "I'll be back!".

Speaks fluent Spanish.

Acting mentor was James Avery.

Received the first ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance, for the song "Parents Just Don't Understand" in 1989 with his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff (aka Jazzy Jeff).

As of Hancock (2008), he holds the record for the actor to star in the most consecutive $100 million-grossing movies (8).

He has been at his adult height of 6' 2" since he was 13, although he is now about 60 pounds heavier than he first was when he reached this height.

Met wife Jada Pinkett Smith when she tried out for the role of his girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990). The role eventually went to Nia Long.

Has said he based his character Captain Steven Hiller in Independence Day (1996) on his favorite big screen hero, Harrison Ford, most notably his performances of Han Solo in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) and its sequels.

Made a private and unofficial deal with his father: his father would support his music career for one year, and if it didn't work out the way his father and Will wanted to, Will would have gone back to college.

Wrote and performed the song, "Just the Two of Us", about his first son, Trey Smith.

2007 - Ranked #5 on EW's The 50 Smartest People in Hollywood.

Recently purchased a home in south Stockholm, Sweden because he feels it is the best place to relax. (August 2004)

Enjoys playing chess.

December 2007 - According to Forbes, for each dollar he got paid, Smith's movies averaged $10 of gross income.

First hip-hop artist to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Gained a place in the Guinness World Records book for most public appearances in 12 hours, by attending three red carpet "premieres" for Hitch (2005) on 22nd February 2005. He walked the red carpet and introduced the film at Manchester, Birmingham, and finally for the premiere in London, England. The following year he lost his place in the Guiness book when German actors Jürgen Vogel and Daniel Brühl attended four red carpet premieres of their movie A Friend of Mine (2006), one more than Will.

His 1995 divorce from ex-wife Sheree Zampino led to a $900,000 lump sum divorce settlement for Zampino plus $24,000 per month in alimony and child support; this equals $288,000 a year.

Was considered for the role of "Mr. Smith" in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) before Brad Pitt was cast.

The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) is his favorite movie.

His character from Men in Black (1997), Agent Jay, was not originally written to specifically be a black man. In fact, the role was offered to Caucasian actors Chris O'Donnell and David Schwimmer before Smith accepted the part.

In the 1998 rap lyrics of "Gettin' Jiggy", Will Smith says that Muhammad Ali would call him "The Greatest." Two and a half years later, he played the title role in Ali (2001).

Won a Grammy Award for the song "Summertime" during his rap career.

Was considered for the role of Detective James Carter in Rush Hour (1998).

In 2004, his net worth was estimated to be $188 million.

Became part owner of the Philadelphia 76ers.[December 2016].

Has 3 children: son, Trey Smith (b. November 11, 1992) with ex-wife, Sheree Zampino and son, Jaden Smith (b. July 8, 1998) & daughter, Willow Smith (b. October 31, 2000) with wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Was the first guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014).

Holds the record for most Kids Choice Awards with a whopping six wins.

Is often called "Mr. July" by the media due to the fact that most of his summer blockbusters open in July.

Met first wife, Sheree Zampino, at a taping of A Different World (1987) in 1991.

Banned from Oscars related events for 10 years following his assault on Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards [April 2022].

Will's siblings are: Pam Smith (born in 1964), and twins Ellen and Harry Smith (born in 1971).

As a public role model, hosted the Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Youth, as part of the Gala for President Bill Clinton. (January 1993)

Shares a birthday with Michael Madsen, Michael Douglas, Mark Hamill, Donald Glover, Christopher Reeve, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

He and his daughter Willow Smith both had movies opening 2 July, 2008. His was Hancock (2008), hers was Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008).

Living in Beijing, China for the next three months with his family while his son, Jaden Smith, films The Karate Kid (2010). (July 2009)

Is supposedly a huge fan of the Swedish well-known (but barely known in the U.S.) melodic heavy metal band Soilwork.

He sang a few lines "Wild Wild West" to his on screen cousin Carleton, a movie in which he starred 6 years later.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $31 million.

He and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were both cast in DC comics project in 2014 - Will as Deadshot in the film Suicide Squad (2016) and Jada in the television show Gotham (2014).

Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. (1998)

Is a huge fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997) and Angel (1999) along with wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Was among the guests at Tom Cruise's and Katie Holmes's wedding ceremony in Italy.

On the first two occasions where Will was Oscar-nominated as Best Actor for Ali (2001) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), he lost out to fellow African-American actors Denzel Washington (Training Day (2001)) and Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland (2006)). In 2022 he was, yet again, competing against Denzel (The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021)) but finally won his first Best Actor Oscar for King Richard (2021).

Also known as rap artist "The Fresh Prince.".

Graduate of Philly's legendary Overbrook High School, whose alumni include Wilt Chamberlain, Hal Lear, Wali 'Wonder' Jones, Walt Hazzard, The Dovells, The Orlons, Dee Dee Sharp, etc. and, in tribute to his student years there, his production company is called Overbrook Entertainment.

Attended the prestigious Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School in Philadelphia, as well as Catholic school and public Overbrook HS.