Will Smith is an American actor, producer and rapper. Smith originally gained fame as part of the hip-hop/rap duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Capitalizing on his "Fresh Prince" popularity and as a transition into acting, Smith starred in the sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Nominated for an Academy Award for his roles in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith has also given notable performances in Seven Pounds, Men in Black and Hancock.Variety: Will Smith Profile

In a February 2009 Forbes survey Will Smith was named Hollywood's most valuable actor. Smith was chosen because his films consistently bring in big numbers at the box office.Perez Hilton: Will Smith Makes... (February 10, 2009)

During his teen age years, Smith began rapping and collaborating with Hip-Hop producer D.J. Jazzy Jeff. In their working relationship, Smith wrote the rhymes and Jeff created the mixing and scratching. In 1992, Smith married actress Sheree Zampino. The couple had a son, Willard Christopher III before they divorced in 1995. In 1997, Smith married actress Jada Pinkett and they have two children, Jaden Christopher Syre and Willow Camille Reign.Variety: Will Smith Profile

• 1990-1996: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as William "Will" Smith
• 1993: Six Degrees of Separation as Paul
• 1995: Bad Boys as Mike Lowrey
• 1996: Independence Day as Steve Hiller
• 1997: Men in Black as James Edwards / Agent J
• 2001: Ali as Muhammad Ali
• 2004: I, Robot as Detective Del Spooner
• 2005: Hitch as Alex Hitchens
• 2006: The Pursuit of Happyness as Chris Gardner
• 2007: I Am Legend as Robert Neville
• 2008: Hancock as Hancock
• 2008: Seven Pounds as Ben Thomas

• 1988: Best Rap Performance for He's the DJ, I'm the RapperVariety: Will Smith Profile
• 1991: Best Rap Performance for "Summertime"Variety: Will Smith Profile
• 1998: Best Rap Solo Performance for "Men in Black"Variety: Will Smith Profile
• 1999: Rap Solo Performance for "Gettin' Jiggy Wit It"Variety: Will Smith Profile

• Note: The majority of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• September 25, 1968: Born

• 1987: Rock the House album with DJ Jazzy Jeff

• 1990-96: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

• 1993: Six Degrees of Separation

• 1997: Big Willie Style album

• 1997: Men in Black

• 1999: Willennium album

• 2001: Ali

• 2004: I, Robot

• 2006: The Pursuit of Happyness

• 2007: I Am Legend

• 2008: Tonight, He Comes

• 2008: Time Share