Early Life and Education of Will Smith: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Will Smith, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

November 11, 1992: Birth of son Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III

On November 11, 1992, Will Smith's son Willard Carroll "Trey" Smith III was born.

1995: Divorce from Sheree Zampino

In 1995, Will Smith divorced Sheree Zampino.

1997: Reference to G.I. Jane

During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head with a reference to the main protagonist in the 1997 film G.I. Jane.

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December 31, 1997: Marriage to Jada Koren Pinkett

On December 31, 1997, Will Smith married actress Jada Koren Pinkett.

1998: Birth of son Jaden Smith

In 1998, Will Smith's son Jaden Smith was born.

1998: Trey's Appearance in Music Video

In 1998, Will Smith's son Trey appeared in his father's music video for the single "Just the Two of Us".

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2000: Birth of daughter Willow Smith

In 2000, Will Smith's daughter Willow Smith was born.

December 11, 2009: Hosted Nobel Peace Prize Concert

On December 11, 2009, Will Smith and his wife hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate Barack Obama's winning of the prize.

2012: Supported legalizing same-sex marriage

In 2012, Will Smith expressed his support for legalizing same-sex marriage.

2013: Did not identify as religious

In 2013, Will Smith stated in an interview that he did not identify as religious.

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.

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2016: Separation from Jada Pinkett Smith

In 2016, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith separated, though this was not publicly revealed until later.

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.

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2018: Diagnosis of Jada Pinkett Smith

In 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith was diagnosed with alopecia areata, leading her to shave her head later.

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.

2018: Hindu rite of abhisheka of Shiva in Haridwar, India

In 2018, Will Smith performed the Hindu rite of abhisheka of Shiva at Haridwar, India, and expressed a deep connection to Hindu spirituality and Indian astrology. He also met with Sadhguru.

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.

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.

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2021: Pulled production of Emancipation from Georgia

In 2021, Will Smith announced the production of his film, Emancipation, was being pulled from Georgia due to the Election Integrity Act of 2021, which they viewed as a restrictive voting law.

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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.

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March 27, 2022: The Slap at the 94th Academy Awards

During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head. Smith later won Best Actor and apologized to the Academy. Jada Pinkett Smith had been diagnosed with alopecia areata in 2018.

April 1, 2022: Resignation from the Academy

On April 1, 2022, Will Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following the slapping incident at the Oscars.

April 8, 2022: Academy's Ban and Resulting Fallout

On April 8, 2022, the Academy banned Will Smith from future Oscars galas and associated events for 10 years following the slapping incident. Several film projects were put on hold as a result.

October 2023: Public Revelation of Separation

In October 2023, Jada Pinkett Smith publicly stated that she and Will Smith had been separated since 2016, though they have no intention to divorce.

March 26, 2025: Ceremony for adding name to street sign in Philadelphia

On March 26, 2025, Will Smith attended a ceremony where his name was added to red stripes at the bottom of street signs along a block of 59th Street in west Philadelphia.