Will Smith

Will Smith

Birth Date: September 25, 1968
Birth Place: Philadelphia, Pa.

With his versatility, easy wit, and family-friendly charm, rapper-turned-actor Will Smith has become one of Hollywood's most bankable multitaskers.

As half of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Smith found success with such mom-friendly hits as "Parents Just Don't Understand" that appealed to teenagers without using violent, vulgar lyrics. He branched out to TV with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a successful sitcom that aired for several seasons and is still widely syndicated.

Smith, who has two children with wife Jada Pinkett Smith and a son from a previous marriage, soon began starring in big-screen blockbusters such as Bad Boys, Independence Day and Men in Black and soon found success in more serious fare. His portrayal of the ex-heavyweight champ in Ali, earned Smith his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor, with his second Best Actor nomination coming in 2007 for The Pursuit of Happyness.