History of Will Smith in Timeline

Will Smith is a highly successful American actor, rapper, and film producer. Known for his versatile talent, he has garnered numerous prestigious awards including an Academy Award, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and four Grammys. Smith's films have collectively grossed over $9.5 billion worldwide as of 2025, solidifying his position as one of Hollywood's most financially successful and recognizable stars.

Sections (6)

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

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

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

1992: Starred in debut film Where the Day Takes You

In 1992, Will Smith starred in his debut film, Where the Day Takes You, which quickly led to him becoming one of Hollywood's most successful and bankable stars.

1995: Divorce from Sheree Zampino

In 1995, Will Smith divorced Sheree Zampino.

1997: Debut solo album release - Big Willie Style

In 1997, Will Smith released his debut solo album, Big Willie Style, which has since become one of the best-selling rap albums of all time.

December 31, 1997: Marriage to Jada Pinkett

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

1998: Birth of Jaden Christopher Syre Smith

In 1998, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith, son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, was born.

1998: Trey Smith Appears in Music Video

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

2000: Birth of Willow Camille Reign Smith

In 2000, Willow Camille Reign Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, was born.

2005: Received honorary César Award and Tony Award nomination

In 2005, Will Smith received the honorary César Award and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Musical for Fela!.

2006: Named one of Time's 100 most influential people

In 2006, Will Smith was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine, recognizing his significant impact.

2008: Donated to Barack Obama's presidential campaign

In 2008, Will Smith donated $4,600 to Barack Obama's presidential campaign, showing his support for the Democratic candidate.

2008: Named one of Esquire's 75 most influential people of the 21st century

In 2008, Will Smith was named one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century by Esquire, highlighting his lasting influence.

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, in celebration of Barack Obama winning the prize.

2012: Highest paid movie role of all time

In 2012, Will Smith earned the highest-paid movie role of all time, reportedly earning $100 million for his role as Agent J in Men in Black 3.

2012: Expressed support for legalizing same-sex marriage

In 2012, Will Smith voiced his support for legalizing same-sex marriage, aligning himself with the movement for LGBTQ+ rights.

2013: Big Willie Style is among the best selling rap albums of all time

As of 2013, Will Smith's debut solo album Big Willie Style (released in 1997) is among the best-selling rap albums of all time, solidifying his musical legacy.

2013: Did not identify as religious

In 2013, Will Smith stated in an interview that he did not identify as religious, marking a shift in his public stance on faith.

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 veteran con artist.

2015: Christian faith helped portray Bennet Omalu in Concussion

In 2015, Will Smith credited his Christian faith, instilled by his grandmother, for helping him accurately portray Bennet Omalu in the movie Concussion. He highlighted his grandmother's spiritual influence and excitement about going to heaven.

2016: Will Smith stars in Suicide Squad and Collateral Beauty; father's death.

In 2016, Will Smith played Deadshot in Suicide Squad, which was a financial success but received negative reviews. Also in 2016, he starred in Collateral Beauty, which coincided with his father's diagnosis and subsequent death from cancer, and received negative reviews and had a low box office opening.

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2016: Will and Jada Smith Separated

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith have been separated since 2016, but have no intention to divorce.

December 22, 2017: Release of Bright on Netflix

On December 22, 2017, Will Smith's film Bright was released on Netflix. It was the most expensive film for Netflix to date, but it was a critical disappointment.

2017: Will Smith releases "Get Lit" and Launches YouTube Channel

In 2017, Will Smith released the song "Get Lit" with Jazzy Jeff and launched his YouTube channel.

2017: Starred in Bright, broke Netflix records

In 2017, Will Smith starred as Daryl in the movie Bright, which broke the record for the most-viewed Netflix film in its first week. It became the first major Hollywood film to skip theatrical release for streaming on Netflix with over 100 million viewers.

2018: Jada Pinkett Smith Diagnosed with Alopecia Areata

In 2018, Jada Pinkett Smith was diagnosed with alopecia areata.

2018: Will Smith Performs Bungee Jump for 50th Birthday

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: Performed Hindu rite of abhisheka of Shiva

In 2018, Will Smith performed the Hindu rite of abhisheka of Shiva in Haridwar, India, and participated in an arti of the holy river Ganga, expressing a deep connection to Hindu spirituality and Indian astrology. He also spent time with Sadhguru.

2018: Will Smith Performs at the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony

In 2018, Will Smith performed the official song "Live It Up" with Nicky Jam and Era Istrefi at the closing ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Moscow, Russia.

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.

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July 2019: YouTube Channel Success

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: Smith stars in Spies in Disguise and invests in Gen.G

In 2019, Will Smith voiced Lance Sterling in the animated film Spies in Disguise. Also in 2019, Smith and Keisuke Honda invested in esports organization Gen.G.

June 2020: Emancipation sold to Apple Studios for record amount

In June 2020, Will Smith's film Emancipation was sold to Apple Studios for $120 million, making it the largest film festival acquisition deal in film history.

June 2020: Smith to Star in Emancipation

In June 2020, it was announced that Will Smith would star in Emancipation.

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.

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2021: Pulled film production from Georgia due to voting law

In 2021, Will Smith announced that production of his film, Emancipation, was being pulled from Georgia due to the Election Integrity Act of 2021. Smith and director Antoine Fuqua stated they could not support a government enacting regressive voting laws.

2021: Will Smith Wins Awards for King Richard

In 2021, Will Smith portrayed Richard Williams in King Richard and won the Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor for his performance.

2021: Won multiple awards for King Richard and Emmy nomination for Cobra Kai

In 2021, Will Smith won an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, BAFTA Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for his role in King Richard. He also received a producer nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award for Cobra Kai.

February 7, 2022: Smith to star in Pole to Pole on Disney+

On February 7, 2022, National Geographic announced that Will Smith would star in a series titled Pole to Pole, which will stream on Disney+.

March 27, 2022: Will Smith Slaps Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards

During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith later won Best Actor for King Richard and apologized to the Academy but not to Rock. Public backlash ensued and the Academy began an investigation.

April 1, 2022: Will Smith Resigns from the Academy

On April 1, 2022, Will Smith resigned from the Academy following the incident at the Academy Awards.

April 8, 2022: Academy Bans Smith from Oscars for 10 Years

On April 8, 2022, the Academy announced its decision to ban Will Smith from future Oscars galas and associated events for 10 years.

December 2022: Release of Emancipation

In December 2022, Emancipation was released to mixed reviews and was a commercial failure, partially attributed to Will Smith's involvement following the Oscar incident.

2022: Won Academy Award for Best Actor

In 2022, Will Smith won the Academy Award for Best Actor, becoming the fifth black actor to achieve this honor. His performance in King Richard was recognized.

September 2023: Reported Joint Album with Joyner Lucas

In September 2023, it was reported that Joyner Lucas and Will Smith would be working together on a joint album.

October 2023: Jada Pinkett Smith Reveals Separation

In October 2023, Jada Pinkett Smith publicly stated that she and Will Smith had been separated since 2016.

2023: Smith to Star in 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, and a sequel to I Am Legend.

June 27, 2024: Will Smith Announces New Solo Single

On June 27, 2024, Will Smith announced the release of his first solo single in nearly 20 years, "You Can Make It."

July 24, 2024: Will Smith Signs 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: Will Smith Releases "Work of Art"

On July 26, 2024, Will Smith released the single "Work of Art", featuring Jaden and Russ.

September 2024: Smith exits Sugar Bandits

In September 2024, Will Smith exited the crime thriller Sugar Bandits due to scheduling conflicts.

2024: Will Smith Confirms New Music

In 2024, Will Smith confirmed new personal music coming out.

March 23, 2025: Smith performs at 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 26, 2025: Name added to street signs in west Philadelphia

On March 26, 2025, Will Smith's name was added to street signs along a block of 59th Street in west Philadelphia, honoring his connection to the area.