Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jada Pinkett Smith
How Jada Pinkett Smith built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jada Pinkett Smith is an accomplished American actress, singer, talk show host, and businesswoman, recognized for her multifaceted career. She's widely known as the co-host of the Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk, earning her a Daytime Emmy Award. Her influence extends beyond entertainment, as evidenced by Time magazine naming her one of the 100 most influential people globally in 2021.
1990: Acting Career Begins
In 1990, Jada Pinkett Smith began her acting career, starring in an episode of True Colors.
1991: Big Break on A Different World
In 1991, Jada Pinkett Smith landed her big break on the sitcom A Different World, marking a significant step in her acting career.
1991: Guest Roles in Television Shows
In 1991, Jada Pinkett Smith received guest roles in television shows such as Doogie Howser, M.D. and 21 Jump Street, and earned a role on A Different World.
1993: Appearance in Menace II Society
In 1993, Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in her first film, Menace II Society, after a recommendation from Tupac Shakur.
1993: Menace II Society Film Debut
In 1993, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in the film Menace II Society, marking her first film role.
1993: Pinkett Smith secures Shakur a guest appearance on A Different World
In 1993, Pinkett Smith secured Tupac Shakur a guest appearance on A Different World.
1994: Roles in A Low Down Dirty Shame, Jason's Lyric, and The Inkwell
In 1994, Jada Pinkett Smith acted in A Low Down Dirty Shame, Jason's Lyric, and The Inkwell, receiving positive reviews for her performance in A Low Down Dirty Shame.
1994: Pinkett Smith Creates Fashion Label Maja
In 1994, after opening her music company 100% Women Productions, Jada Pinkett Smith created her own fashion label, Maja. The clothing line featured women's T-shirts and dresses embellished with the slogan "Sister Power".
1995: Directing Music Videos
In 1995, Jada Pinkett Smith began directing music videos, including "I'm Going Down" by Y? N-Vee and "How Many Times" by Gerald Levert.
1995: Appearance in Demon Knight
In 1995, Jada Pinkett Smith played a convict on work release in the horror film Demon Knight.
1996: Directed Keep On, Keepin' On
In 1996, Jada Pinkett Smith directed the music video "Keep On, Keepin' On" by MC Lyte Feat. Xscape.
1996: Starring Roles in The Nutty Professor and Set It Off
In 1996, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in The Nutty Professor and Set It Off, both of which were commercially successful and garnered attention for her acting.
1997: Scream 2 Appearance
In 1997, Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in Scream 2, adding to her growing filmography.
1997: Cameo Role in Scream 2
In 1997, Jada Pinkett Smith had a cameo role in Scream 2 as a college student who is brutally murdered.
1997: Pinkett Smith emcees Million Woman March
In 1997, Pinkett Smith was the emcee of the Million Woman March in Philadelphia, demonstrating her commitment to social and community engagement.
1998: Roles in Return to Paradise and Woo
In 1998, Jada Pinkett Smith played roles in Return to Paradise and Woo, continuing to expand her filmography.
2000: Starring role in Bamboozled
In 2000, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in Spike Lee's film Bamboozled as a personal assistant.
2001: Roles in Kingdom Come and Ali
In 2001, Jada Pinkett Smith portrayed a wife in Kingdom Come and played Sonji Roi, the first wife of Muhammad Ali, in the biographical drama Ali.
2002: Musical Career with Wicked Wisdom
In 2002, Jada Pinkett Smith began her musical career as the lead vocalist of the nu metal band, Wicked Wisdom.
2002: Formation of Wicked Wisdom
In 2002, Jada Pinkett Smith formed the metal band Wicked Wisdom, starting her musical career.
2003: Contributions to The Matrix Sequels
In 2003, Jada Pinkett Smith made prominent contributions to The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions, solidifying her status in major film franchises.
2003: Pinkett Smith Creates All of Us TV series
In 2003, Pinkett Smith and Will Smith helped to create the television series All of Us, which aired on UPN/The CW.
May 2004: Wicked Wisdom Tours with Britney Spears
In May 2004, Wicked Wisdom secured a spot on Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour, performing as the opening act for eight dates during the European leg, marking a high-profile exposure for the band.
2004: Collateral Release
In 2004, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in Collateral as a U.S. Justice Department prosecutor.
2004: Smiths Donate to Scientology Program
In 2004, after meeting Tom Cruise, Pinkett Smith and Will Smith donated $20,000 to the Hollywood Education and Literacy Program (HELP), linked to Scientology.
May 2005: Wicked Wisdom to Perform at Ozzfest
In May 2005, Wicked Wisdom was announced to perform on the second stage of Ozzfest. This followed Sharon Osbourne seeing them perform and being impressed by their music.
2005: Publication of Girls Hold Up This World
In 2005, Jada Pinkett Smith published her children's book, Girls Hold Up This World, which became a New York Times Best Seller.
2005: Voice of Gloria in Madagascar
In 2005, Jada Pinkett Smith voiced Gloria the hippopotamus in the animated film Madagascar.
2005: Pinkett Smith invests in Carol's Daughter
In 2005, Pinkett Smith invested in Carol's Daughter, a line of beauty products. She became a spokesperson for the beauty line.
2005: Pinkett Smith Publishes Children's Book
In 2005, Pinkett Smith published her first children's book, Girls Hold Up This World, which was inspired by her daughter Willow and aimed to empower young girls.
February 21, 2006: Wicked Wisdom Debut Album Release
On February 21, 2006, Wicked Wisdom, Jada Pinkett Smith's band, released its self-titled debut album through her production company. Will Smith was the executive producer.
March 11, 2006: Wicked Wisdom album peaks on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart
On March 11, 2006, Wicked Wisdom's debut album peaked at number 44 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart, marking a significant achievement for the band.
2006: Pinkett Smith Donates to Baltimore School for the Arts
In 2006, Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to her high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and dedicated the new theater to Tupac Shakur.
2006: Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation Receives Award
In 2006, The Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation was awarded the David Angell Humanitarian Award by The American Screenwriters Association (ASA).
September 29, 2007: "Butterflies Over Hollywood" Event
On September 29, 2007, the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation held the first annual "Butterflies Over Hollywood" event to raise funds for lupus educational programs, due to Pinkett Smith's aunt's diagnosis with lupus.
2007: Reign Over Me Release
In 2007, Jada Pinkett Smith played the wife of an affluent dentist in the drama Reign Over Me.
May 2008: The Human Contract Debuts at Cannes
In May 2008, Jada Pinkett Smith's directorial debut, The Human Contract, debuted at the Cannes Film Festival.
June 16, 2009: Hawthorne Premieres on TNT
On June 16, 2009, Jada Pinkett Smith starred as a Chief Nursing Officer in the TNT medical drama Hawthorne, which premiered on this date.
2009: Founding of Westbrook
In 2009, Jada Pinkett Smith co-founded the company Westbrook with her husband Will Smith.
2009: Starring Role on Hawthorne
In 2009, Jada Pinkett Smith returned to television with a starring role on Hawthorne.
2010: Tony Award Nomination
In 2010, Jada Pinkett Smith earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Musical as a producer for the Broadway musical Fela!.
August 16, 2011: Hawthorne Ends
On August 16, 2011, Hawthorne ended after three seasons.
2012: Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted Release
In 2012, Jada Pinkett Smith reprised the voice role of Gloria in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.
2012: Pinkett Smith Writes Letter to Baltimore's Mayor on behalf of PETA
In 2012, Pinkett Smith wrote a letter to Baltimore's mayor on behalf of PETA, asking that the Ringling Brothers Circus not harm elephants visiting Baltimore.
2013: Madly Madagascar Release
In 2013, Jada Pinkett Smith voiced the character Gloria in the direct-to-DVD film Madly Madagascar.
2013: Pinkett Smith appears in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign
In 2013, Pinkett Smith appeared in a video clip for Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign which aimed to raise funds and awareness of women's issues globally.
2014: Starring Role in Gotham
In 2014, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in the first season of the FOX crime drama Gotham as Fish Mooney.
2015: Smith couple invest in energy storage company
In 2015, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith were among the founding investors of an energy storage company.
2015: Magic Mike XXL
In 2015, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in Magic Mike XXL.
July 2017: Essence Festival Appearance
In July 2017, Jada Pinkett Smith appeared at the Essence Festival, speaking on the Empowerment Stage alongside Queen Latifah.
2017: Girls Trip Release
In 2017, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in Girls Trip.
May 2018: Red Table Talk Debut
Beginning in May 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith, along with her mother and daughter, began hosting the Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk.
2019: Westbrook Entertainment Acquired
In 2019, Westbrook Entertainment, a production company co-owned by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, was acquired by Three Six Zero, diversifying the talent management company.
2021: The Matrix Resurrections Release
In 2021, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in The Matrix Resurrections.
2021: Red Table Talk Wins Daytime Emmy
In 2021, Red Table Talk won a Daytime Emmy Award in the outstanding informative talk show category.
October 2023: Publication of Worthy
In October 2023, Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir Worthy was published, covering her journey and experiences.
