Will Smith
He transformed from a playful TV rapper into a global box office titan, defining blockbuster charisma for a generation of moviegoers.
Born 1968 (age 58)·American actor and rapper·Birthday: September 25·Generation X
Biography
Will Smith's ascent is a masterclass in American reinvention. He first won hearts as the charming, quick-talking teenager on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' a role that launched him from hip-hop stardom as one-half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince into a household name. With an instinct for crowd-pleasing spectacle and relatable charm, he systematically conquered Hollywood, becoming the defining blockbuster star of the 1990s and 2000s in films like 'Independence Day,' 'Men in Black,' and 'I, Robot.' His career, marked by both colossal commercial success and a deliberate pursuit of dramatic respect, culminated in an Oscar for his intense portrayal of Richard Williams in 'King Richard.' Smith's journey maps the evolution of modern celebrity itself, built on talent, relentless positivity, and an undeniable connection with a global audience.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Will was born in 1968, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Will Was Born
The biggest hits of 1968
#1 Movie
2001: A Space Odyssey
Best Picture
Oliver!
#1 TV Show
The Andy Griffith Show
Will's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1968Born
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1973Started school
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1981Became a teenager
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1984Could drive
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1986Could vote
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1989Turned 21
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1998Turned 30
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2008Turned 40
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 50
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 58 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in 'King Richard' (2021).
- Starred in films that have collectively grossed over $10 billion at the global box office.
- Won four Grammy Awards for his music as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince and as a solo artist.
- Executive produced and starred in the popular 1990s sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,' which launched his acting career.
Did You Know?
He turned down the role of Neo in 'The Matrix,' which later went to Keanu Reeves.
Smith was offered a scholarship to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but did not attend.
He and his son Jaden Smith are the only father-son duo to have each had a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.
He is a dedicated practitioner of meditation and has spoken about its role in his life.
“The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I'm not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period.”
