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BIOGRAPHY
Willard C. Smith, Jr. was the second of four children born to Caroline and Willard Smith, owner of a refrigeration company. He grew up in middle class surroundings in West Philadelphia. One his teacher's gave him the nickname "Prince" because of the way he could charm his way out of trouble. He started rapping when he was twelve and soon met Jeff Townes at a party. They began performing together as D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Smith attended Overbrook High School in Windfield, Pennsylvania and was offered a scholarship to attend MIT. He turned it down, however, to pursue a career in entertainment. By the time he was eighteen he was a millionaire, and by the time he was twenty he and D.J. Jazzy Jeff had produced two platinum albums. Two years later he became the star of the sitcom "FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR" in which he played a poor kid from West Philadelphia who goes to live with wealthy relatives. The show lasted six seasons. By the time the show ended Smith had already begun his film career. His first starring role was in the movie SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, and he gained widespread recognition for his role in the blockbuster hit INDEPENDENCE DAY. Throughout his career his has won three Grammys, two American Music Awards, and numerous MTV movie and music awards. He has two sons and is married to actress Jada Pinkett.
CHRONOLOGY
1968 He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (September 25)
1986 IMAGEMAKER - film
1987 ROCK THE HOUSE - album
1988 HE'S THE D.J., I'M THE RAPPER - album; He won a Grammy and an American Music award for HE'S THE D.J., I'M THE RAPPER.
1989 AND IN THIS CORNER - album
1990 FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR - television sit-com (first aired)
1991 HOME BASE - album; He won a Grammy and an American Music Award for the single "Summertime."
1992 WHERE THE DAY TAKES YOU - film; He married Sheree Zampino. (May 9); His son, Willard C. Smith III, was born.
1993 CODE RED - album; SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION, MADE IN AMERICA - films
1995 BAD BOYS - film; He and Sheree Zampino divorced.
1996 INDEPENDENCE DAY - film; FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR went off the air.
1997 BIG WILLIE STYLE - album; MEN IN BLACK - film; He married Jada Pinkett. (1997)
1998 ENEMY OF THE STATE - film; His son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, was born. (July 8); He won a Grammy award for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Men in Black."
1999 WILLENNIUM - album; WILD WILD WEST - film; He won a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance for "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It."
2000 THE LEGEND OF BAGGER VANCE - film
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