Dustin Gandof
Will Smith: The Man, the Actor, and the Philanthropist
Will Smith is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry, with a career spanning decades. Starting out as a rapper in the late 1980s, Smith eventually transitioned to acting and became one of the most sought-after actors in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, as successful as he is, Smith has not been immune to controversy and criticism. In a recent interview with Trevor Noah, Smith opened up about the infamous Oscars slap and the advice he gives his children about hurt people.
The Early Years of Will Smith
Before he was a Hollywood superstar, Will Smith was a rapper known for his clean lyrics and catchy tunes. He released his first single, “Girls Ain’t Nothing But Trouble,” at the age of 16 and went on to release four albums with DJ Jazzy Jeff. In 1990, Smith landed his first acting role in the NBC sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” which ran for six seasons and catapulted him to mainstream success.
The Actor and Philanthropist
After “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” ended, Smith turned his attention to movies and starred in several successful films, including “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” and “Hitch.” He has received two Academy Award nominations for his performances in “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Outside of acting, Smith is also known for his philanthropy. He and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith are the co-founders of the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation, which focuses on providing educational opportunities for underprivileged youth.
The Oscars Slap and Advice to His Children
In 2020, Smith made headlines when he opened up about the infamous Oscars slap incident during an interview with Trevor Noah. Smith explained that he was hurt by the criticism he received for his role in the film “Concussion” and that it led to him lashing out at his co-star, Janet Hubert, on the set of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” He also revealed that his father taught him the saying “hurt people hurt people,” which he has passed on to his children as advice.
Conclusion
Will Smith is a multifaceted individual who has achieved success in many different areas. As an actor, he has starred in some of the most popular movies of the past 30 years. As a philanthropist, he and his wife have worked to provide educational opportunities for young people. And as a human being, he has experienced his share of pain and hurt, but has used those experiences to educate himself and his children. Through it all, Smith has remained a positive role model and an inspiration to many.
