Jada Koren Pinkett Smith is an accomplished American actress, singer, and talk show host. She is widely recognized for co-hosting the popular Facebook Watch talk show "Red Table Talk," which earned her a Daytime Emmy Award. Her influence extends beyond the entertainment industry, as evidenced by her inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021.
September 18, 1971: Birth of Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Koren Pinkett Smith was born on September 18, 1971.
1989: Jada Pinkett Smith Graduates from Baltimore School for the Arts
Jada Pinkett Smith graduated from the Baltimore School for the Arts in 1989, where she studied dance and theatre.
1990: Jada Pinkett Smith's Acting Debut in "True Colors"
Jada Pinkett Smith's acting journey began in 1990 with her appearance in an episode of the television series "True Colors."
1991: Guest Roles and "A Different World" for Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith made guest appearances on television shows such as "Doogie Howser, M.D." and "21 Jump Street" in 1991. That same year, she secured a role in Bill Cosby's NBC sitcom "A Different World."
1991: Jada Pinkett Smith's Breakthrough Role in "A Different World"
Jada Pinkett Smith's acting career gained significant momentum in 1991 when she landed her breakthrough role in the sitcom "A Different World."
1993: Secured Tupac's Guest Appearance on A Different World
In 1993, Jada Pinkett Smith secured a guest appearance for Tupac Shakur on the television show A Different World.
1993: Jada Pinkett Smith's Film Debut in "Menace II Society"
Jada Pinkett Smith made her film debut in 1993 with a role in the critically acclaimed film "Menace II Society."
1993: Jada Pinkett Smith's Role in "Menace II Society" and Connection to Tupac Shakur
Jada Pinkett Smith's role as Ronnie in the 1993 film "Menace II Society" held particular significance due to her friendship with Tupac Shakur, who was originally slated to appear in the film but was later fired. Despite considering dropping out after Shakur's departure, Pinkett Smith ultimately stayed on, influenced by Shakur's encouragement.
1994: Creation of Maja Fashion Label
In 1994, Jada Pinkett Smith launched her fashion label, Maja, featuring women's T-shirts and dresses with the slogan "Sister Power." The clothing line was primarily sold through small catalogs.
1994: Met Will Smith on Fresh Prince Set
In 1994, Jada Pinkett Smith met Will Smith on the set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when she auditioned for the role of his character's girlfriend.
1994: Jada Pinkett Smith's Roles in "A Low Down Dirty Shame," "Jason's Lyric," and "The Inkwell"
Jada Pinkett Smith had a busy year in 1994, taking on roles in the films "A Low Down Dirty Shame," "Jason's Lyric," and "The Inkwell." Her performances, particularly in "A Low Down Dirty Shame," garnered positive critical attention.
1995: Jada Pinkett Smith Ventures into Music Video Direction
Jada Pinkett Smith expanded her creative pursuits in 1995 by directing the music video for "I'm Going Down" by the girl group Y? N-Vee. This marked her entry into the world of music video direction.
1995: Contributed $100,000 Towards Tupac's Bail
In 1995, Jada Pinkett Smith contributed $100,000 towards Tupac Shakur's bail as he awaited an appeal on his sexual abuse conviction.
1995: Jada Pinkett Smith in "Demon Knight" and Decision Regarding "Dead Presidents"
Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the horror film "Demon Knight" in 1995. She was also considered for a role in the film "Dead Presidents" but declined due to her loyalty to Tupac Shakur, who had been fired from a previous film by the directors of "Dead Presidents."
1995: Began Dating Will Smith
In 1995, Jada Pinkett Smith began dating Will Smith after his divorce from Sheree Fletcher was finalized.
1996: Jada Pinkett Smith Directs Music Videos for Gerald Levert and MC Lyte
Jada Pinkett Smith continued directing music videos in 1996. She directed "How Many Times" for Gerald Levert, also appearing in the video, and "Keep On, Keepin' On" for MC Lyte featuring Xscape.
1996: Jada Pinkett Smith Stars in "The Nutty Professor" and "Set It Off"
Jada Pinkett Smith starred in two prominent films in 1996: "The Nutty Professor" alongside Eddie Murphy and the crime drama "Set It Off."
1996: Jada Pinkett Smith's Success with "The Nutty Professor" and "Set It Off"
The year 1996 saw Jada Pinkett Smith starring in "The Nutty Professor" and "Set It Off," both of which achieved commercial success. "The Nutty Professor" earned $274 million worldwide, while "Set It Off," made with a budget of $9 million, brought in $41 million globally.
1997: Jada Pinkett Smith's Role in "Scream 2"
In 1997, Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the horror sequel "Scream 2."
1997: Emcee of Million Woman March
In 1997, Jada Pinkett Smith served as the emcee for the Million Woman March in Philadelphia.
1997: Jada Pinkett Smith's Cameo in "Scream 2"
Jada Pinkett Smith made a memorable cameo appearance in the 1997 horror film "Scream 2." The film was a box office success, earning over $100 million in North America.
December 31, 1997: Marriage to Will Smith
On December 31, 1997, Jada Pinkett Smith married Will Smith in a private ceremony with about 100 guests, while she was three months pregnant.
1998: Jada Pinkett Smith's Roles in "Return to Paradise" and "Woo"
Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the thriller "Return to Paradise" and the comedy "Woo" in 1998, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
1998: Birth of Jaden Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith's son, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, was born in 1998.
1998: Maid of Honor at Mother's Wedding
In 1998, Jada Pinkett Smith participated as the maid of honor in her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris's wedding to Paul Jones.
1999: Release of "The Matrix"
"The Matrix," the first film in the franchise that Jada Pinkett Smith would later join, was released in 1999.
2000: Jada Pinkett Smith Stars in Spike Lee's "Bamboozled"
In 2000, Jada Pinkett Smith starred in Spike Lee's satirical film "Bamboozled," which, while receiving mixed reviews, garnered recognition with the National Board of Review's Freedom of Expression Award.
2000: Birth of Willow Smith
Willow Camille Reign Smith, daughter of Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, was born in 2000.
2001: Jada Pinkett Smith in "Kingdom Come" and "Ali"
Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the comedy "Kingdom Come" and portrayed Sonji Roi, the first wife of Muhammad Ali, in the biographical sports drama "Ali" in 2001. This marked her first on-screen collaboration with her husband, Will Smith.
2002: Jada Pinkett Smith Launches Music Career with Wicked Wisdom
Jada Pinkett Smith embarked on a musical career in 2002 as the lead vocalist of the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom.
2002: Formation of Wicked Wisdom
Jada Pinkett Smith formed the metal band Wicked Wisdom in 2002, performing as the lead vocalist under the stage name Jada Koren.
2003: Jada Pinkett Smith Joins "The Matrix" Franchise
Jada Pinkett Smith joined "The Matrix" franchise in 2003, portraying the character Niobe in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions."
2003: Jada Pinkett Smith's Iconic Role as Niobe in "The Matrix" Sequels
Jada Pinkett Smith took on the role of Niobe in "The Matrix Reloaded" and "The Matrix Revolutions," both released in 2003. The character was specifically written for her, solidifying her place in the iconic science fiction franchise.
2003: Statement in Tupac: Resurrection Documentary
In the 2003 documentary Tupac: Resurrection, Jada Pinkett Smith stated that Tupac Shakur was one of her best friends and that their relationship was beyond friendship.
2003: Creation of All of Us TV Series
In 2003, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith helped create the television series All of Us, which aired on UPN/The CW.
May 2004: Wicked Wisdom Opens for Britney Spears
Wicked Wisdom secured a spot on Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour in 2004, opening for eight dates during the European leg of the tour in April and May.
2004: Donation to Hollywood Education and Literacy Program
In 2004, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith donated $20,000 to the Hollywood Education and Literacy Program, Scientology's basis for homeschooling.
2004: Appearance in "Collateral"
In 2004, Jada Pinkett Smith starred as a U.S. Justice Department prosecutor in the neo-noir thriller film "Collateral", alongside Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise.
May 2005: Wicked Wisdom Performs at Ozzfest
Wicked Wisdom was chosen to perform on the second stage of Ozzfest in May 2005, gaining recognition for their talent and dedication to the metal genre.
2005: Investment in Carol's Daughter
In 2005, Jada Pinkett Smith became an investor in Carol's Daughter, a beauty product line, and served as a spokesman for the brand.
2005: Publication of Children's Book
In 2005, Jada Pinkett Smith published her first children's book, Girls Hold Up This World, aimed at empowering young girls.
2005: Jada Pinkett Smith Publishes Children's Book, "Girls Hold Up This World"
Jada Pinkett Smith added 'author' to her list of accomplishments in 2005 when she published her children's book, "Girls Hold Up This World." The book achieved recognition by reaching the number two spot on The New York Times Best Seller list.
2005: Voice Role in "Madagascar"
Jada Pinkett Smith lent her voice to the character of Gloria, a hippopotamus, in the animated film "Madagascar" in 2005.
February 21, 2006: Release of Wicked Wisdom's Debut Album
Wicked Wisdom, the metal band fronted by Jada Pinkett Smith, released their self-titled debut album on February 21, 2006.
March 11, 2006: Wicked Wisdom's Album Charts on Billboard
Wicked Wisdom's debut album reached Billboard's Top Heatseekers chart, peaking at number 44 during the week of March 11, 2006.
2006: David Angell Humanitarian Award
In 2006, the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation was awarded the David Angell Humanitarian Award by The American Screenwriters Association for its charitable work.
2006: Donation to Baltimore School for the Arts
In 2006, Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to her high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and dedicated the new theater to her friend Tupac Shakur.
September 29, 2007: First Annual Butterflies Over Hollywood Event
On September 29, 2007, the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation held the first annual Butterflies Over Hollywood event, raising funds for the Lupus Foundation of America.
2007: Role in "Reign Over Me"
Pinkett Smith played the wife of an affluent dentist in the drama "Reign Over Me" in 2007. The film also starred Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland.
May 2008: Directorial Debut with "The Human Contract"
In May 2008, Jada Pinkett Smith made her directorial debut with the drama film "The Human Contract", which she also wrote and starred in. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
2008: Will Smith Comments on Parenting Style
In 2008, Will Smith discussed his and Jada Pinkett Smith's approach to parenting, emphasizing their belief in guidance and structure.
June 16, 2009: Premiere of "Hawthorne"
Jada Pinkett Smith starred in and executive produced the TNT medical drama "Hawthorne", which premiered on June 16, 2009.
2009: Jada Pinkett Smith Stars in "Hawthorne"
Jada Pinkett Smith took on a starring role in the television series "Hawthorne" in 2009.
2009: Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith Establish Westbrook Inc.
Jada Pinkett Smith, alongside her husband Will Smith, founded the company Westbrook Inc. in 2009 to pursue various media ventures.
2010: Tony Award Nomination for "Fela!"
Jada Pinkett Smith received a Tony Award nomination for Best Musical in 2010 for her role as a producer on the Broadway production "Fela!".
2010: Tony Award Nomination for Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith received a Tony Award nomination in 2010 for Best Musical as a producer for the Broadway show "Fela!"
August 16, 2011: End of "Hawthorne"
"Hawthorne", the TNT medical drama starring Jada Pinkett Smith, concluded on August 16, 2011, after three seasons.
2011: End of "Hawthorne"
Jada Pinkett Smith's run on the television series "Hawthorne" concluded in 2011.
2012: Letter to Baltimore Mayor
In 2012, Jada Pinkett Smith wrote a letter to Baltimore's mayor on behalf of PETA, asking for the protection of elephants from harmful devices.
2012: Voice Role in "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted"
Jada Pinkett Smith reprised her voice role as Gloria in "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted", released in 2012.
April 2013: Jada Pinkett Smith Clarifies Comments on Marriage
In April 2013, Jada Pinkett Smith clarified previous comments about her marriage to Will Smith, denying that they had an open marriage but emphasizing the importance of trust.
2013: Participation in Chime for Change
In 2013, Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in a video for Gucci's Chime for Change campaign, raising awareness of women's issues globally.
2013: Voice Role in "Madly Madagascar"
Pinkett Smith continued her voice work as Gloria in the direct-to-DVD film "Madly Madagascar" in 2013.
May 2014: Photo of Willow Smith Sparks Investigation
In May 2014, a photo of Jada Pinkett Smith's daughter, Willow, then 13, with 20-year-old Moisés Arias sparked an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
2014: Role in "Gotham"
Jada Pinkett Smith joined the cast of the FOX crime drama "Gotham" in 2014, portraying the character of Fish Mooney in the first season. She later appeared recurrently in the second and third seasons.
2014: Jada Pinkett Smith Joins "Gotham"
Jada Pinkett Smith joined the cast of the television series "Gotham" in 2014.
2015: Jada Pinkett Smith Stars in "Magic Mike XXL"
Jada Pinkett Smith appeared in the comedy-drama "Magic Mike XXL" in 2015.
2015: Appearance in "Magic Mike XXL"
In 2015, Pinkett Smith starred in the comedy "Magic Mike XXL" alongside Channing Tatum and Joe Manganiello.
2015: Investment in Energy Storage Company
In 2015, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith were among the founding investors of an energy storage company.
2016: Jada Pinkett Smith Confirms "Entanglement" with August Alsina
During a July 2020 episode of Red Table Talk, Jada Pinkett Smith confirmed an "entanglement" with August Alsina during a separation from Will Smith in 2016, stating it was not with Smith's permission.
2016: Start of Separation
Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith separate, marking the beginning of a period of personal exploration and change for both individuals.
2016: Jada Pinkett Smith Stars in "Bad Moms"
Jada Pinkett Smith had a role in the comedy film "Bad Moms" in 2016.
2016: Role in "Bad Moms"
Jada Pinkett Smith starred alongside Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and Christina Applegate in the comedy "Bad Moms" in 2016.
July 2017: Appearance at Essence Festival
Jada Pinkett Smith, along with Queen Latifah, made an appearance at the Essence Festival in July 2017. Pinkett Smith spoke highly of the cast of her film "Girls Trip", praising their supportive dynamic and highlighting the importance of female empowerment in Hollywood.
2017: Jada Pinkett Smith's Departure from "Gotham"
In 2017, Jada Pinkett Smith's time on the television series "Gotham" came to an end.
May 2018: Launch of "Red Table Talk"
Jada Pinkett Smith, alongside her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and daughter Willow Smith, launched the Facebook Watch talk show "Red Table Talk" in May 2018.
2018: Diagnosis with Alopecia Areata
In 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith revealed that she had been diagnosed with the autoimmune disease alopecia areata.
2019: Acquisition of Westbrook Entertainment
In 2019, Westbrook Entertainment, a production company co-owned by Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, was acquired by Mark Gillespie's Three Six Zero.
June 2020: August Alsina Alleges Affair with Jada Pinkett Smith
August Alsina, a friend of Jaden Smith, claimed in June 2020 that he had an affair with Jada Pinkett Smith with Will Smith's consent, a claim Pinkett Smith initially denied.
December 2021: Shared Video on Alopecia
In December 2021, Jada Pinkett Smith shared a video on Instagram showing her shaved head and discussing her ongoing battle with alopecia.
2021: Jada Pinkett Smith Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
In 2021, Jada Pinkett Smith was recognized for her influence and impact when Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
2021: Jada Pinkett Smith Returns for "The Matrix Resurrections"
Jada Pinkett Smith reprised her role as Niobe in "The Matrix Resurrections," released in 2021.
2021: Time 100 Most Influential People and Daytime Emmy Award
Jada Pinkett Smith, along with her "Red Table Talk" co-hosts, were named among Time magazine's 100 most influential people in 2021. That same year, "Red Table Talk" also received a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding informative talk show.
2021: Will Smith Discusses Unconventional Marriage
Will Smith stated in 2021 that both he and Jada Pinkett Smith have engaged in relationships outside of their marriage, challenging traditional views on marriage.
October 2023: Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Separation from Will Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith revealed in October 2023 that she and Will Smith have been separated since 2016 but have no plans for a divorce.
October 2023: Publication of Memoir "Worthy"
Jada Pinkett Smith's memoir, "Worthy", was published in October 2023. The book delves into her personal journey, including her struggles with depression, her path to self-acceptance and healing, her childhood, her friendship with Tupac Shakur, her marriage, and her perspective on the incident at the Oscars involving Will Smith and Chris Rock.
2023: Jada Pinkett Smith Addresses Rumors about Sexuality in Memoir
In her 2023 memoir "Worthy," Jada Pinkett Smith addressed longstanding rumors about her sexuality, acknowledging past experiences with women but affirming her love for men.
2023: Release of "African Queens"
The docu-series "African Queens", narrated and produced by Jada Pinkett Smith, premiered on Netflix in 2023. The first season centered on Njinga, Queen of Ndongo and Matamba, while the second focused on Cleopatra VII, the Ptolemaic Egyptian Queen.