Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Will Smith
Discover the career path of Will Smith, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Will Smith, an American actor, rapper, and film producer, has achieved significant success in both film and music. He has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards. With his films grossing over $10 billion globally, he is recognized as one of Hollywood's most commercially successful stars.
1997: Release of debut solo album Big Willie Style
In 1997, Will Smith's debut solo album, Big Willie Style, was released and went on to become one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.
2008: Donation to Barack Obama's presidential campaign
In 2008, Will Smith donated $4,600 to the presidential campaign of Democrat Barack Obama.
2012: Supported legalizing same-sex marriage
In 2012, Will Smith expressed his support for legalizing same-sex marriage.
2013: Big Willie Style one of the best-selling rap albums of all time
As of 2013, Will Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style (1997) is among the best-selling rap albums of all time.
February 27, 2015: Release of Focus
On February 27, 2015, the romance drama Focus, starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, was released. Smith played Nicky Spurgeon, a con artist who mentors a young woman.
2015: Credit to Christian faith for portrayal in Concussion
In 2015, Will Smith said his Christian faith, instilled by his grandmother, helped him accurately portray Bennet Omalu in the movie Concussion.
2016: Roles in Suicide Squad and Collateral Beauty, and Father's Death
In 2016, Will Smith played Deadshot in Suicide Squad, choosing it over Independence Day: Resurgence. The film was financially successful but critically panned. He also starred in Collateral Beauty, during the filming of which his father was diagnosed with and died from cancer. He used his role preparation to connect with his father before his passing.
December 22, 2017: Netflix Release of Bright
On December 22, 2017, Will Smith's film Bright, directed by David Ayer, was released on Netflix. It was Netflix's most expensive film at the time, but received overwhelmingly negative reviews.
2017: Release of "Get Lit" and Launch of YouTube Channel
In 2017, Will Smith released the song "Get Lit" with Jazzy Jeff and launched his YouTube channel.
2017: Bright broke Netflix viewing record
In 2017, Will Smith's film Bright broke the record for the most-viewed Netflix film during its first week.
2018: 50th Birthday Bungee Jump in the Grand Canyon
In 2018, Will Smith celebrated his 50th birthday by performing a bungee jump from a helicopter in the Grand Canyon, raising money for the charity Global Citizen.
May 24, 2019: Release of Aladdin
On May 24, 2019, the live-action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin, starring Will Smith as the Genie, was released. The film grossed over $1 billion worldwide, becoming Smith's highest-grossing film.
July 2019: YouTube Channel Growth
As of July 2019, Will Smith's YouTube channel had over 6 million subscribers and 294 million total views.
October 11, 2019: Release of Gemini Man
On October 11, 2019, Gemini Man, starring Will Smith, was released. The film was a box office bomb and received negative reviews.
2019: Roles in Spies in Disguise and Investment in Gen.G
In 2019, Will Smith had his second starring role in an animated film, Spies in Disguise. Also in 2019, Smith and Keisuke Honda led a $46 million investment round in esports organization Gen.G.
June 2020: Emancipation acquired by Apple Studios for $120 million
In June 2020, Will Smith's film Emancipation was sold to Apple Studios for $120 million, marking the largest film festival acquisition deal.
June 2020: Announcement of Emancipation
In June 2020, it was announced that Will Smith would star in Emancipation, directed by Antoine Fuqua, portraying a runaway slave.
November 9, 2021: Publication of Memoir Will
On November 9, 2021, Will Smith's memoir Will, co-written with Mark Manson, was published and promoted with a tour. The book explored his childhood traumas and experiences.
2021: Portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard
In 2021, Will Smith portrayed Richard Williams in the film King Richard, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor, Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama, and the Screen Actors Guild Award.
2021: Won Academy Award for Best Actor for King Richard
In 2021, Will Smith received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, also winning a Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award and Screen Actors Guild Award in the same category.
February 7, 2022: Announcement of Pole to Pole series
On February 7, 2022, National Geographic announced that Will Smith would star in a series titled Pole to Pole, streaming on Disney+. The series follows Smith's trek from the South Pole to the North Pole.
December 2022: Release and Failure of Emancipation
In December 2022, Emancipation was released to mixed reviews and was a commercial failure, partially attributed to the controversy surrounding Will Smith.
2022: Won Academy Award for Best Actor and Slapped Chris Rock
In 2022, Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor for King Richard. During the ceremony, he slapped Chris Rock on stage, leading to intense debate about his public image and legacy.
2022: Action thriller drama Emancipation was sold to Apple Studios
In 2022, Will Smith's action thriller drama Emancipation was sold to Apple Studios for $120 million in June 2020, which made it the largest film festival acquisition deal in film history.
September 2023: Joint Album Announcement with Joyner Lucas
In September 2023, it was reported that Joyner Lucas and Will Smith would be working together on a joint album.
2023: Announcement of Bad Boys: Ride or Die and I Am Legend sequel
In 2023, it was announced that Will Smith would co-star in Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth installment in the Bad Boys film series. Smith is set to co-star with Michael B. Jordan in a sequel to I Am Legend.
June 27, 2024: Announcement of First Solo Single in 20 Years
On June 27, 2024, Will Smith announced on his Instagram that his first solo single in nearly 20 years, "You Can Make It", was coming out the following day.
July 24, 2024: Signing Distribution Deal with SLANG
On July 24, 2024, it was announced that Will Smith had signed a new distribution deal with SLANG, a newly formed independent label.
July 26, 2024: Release of "Work of Art"
On July 26, 2024, Will Smith released another single "Work of Art", featuring his son Jaden and Russ.
September 2024: Exit from Sugar Bandits
In September 2024, Will Smith exited the crime thriller Sugar Bandits due to scheduling conflicts but remains involved as a producer.
2024: Upcoming New Music
In 2024, Will Smith confirmed new music coming and that it is the most personal music he had ever done.
March 23, 2025: Performance at 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final
On March 23, 2025, Will Smith performed at the 2025 CONCACAF Nations League final at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
March 28, 2025: Release of fifth studio album, Based on a True Story
In 2025, Will Smith announced his fifth studio album, Based on a True Story, which was released on March 28, 2025. The album consists of 14 tracks, including five previously released singles and nine new songs.
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