Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Biography
Willard Carroll Smith Sr. (1940 – November 7, 2016) was an American celebrity father, known as the father of Will Smith, the acclaimed American actor, rapper, and film producer. He resided in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and had a background as a refrigeration engineer and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Age
Willard was 78 years old when he died on November 7, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He was born in 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Wife/ Children
Willard had married his lovely wife, Caroline Bright, a school board administrator. Caroline graduated from Carnegie Mellon University. Willard and his wife had four children together Will Smith, Ellen Smith, Harry Smith, and Pam Smith. Will Smith is married to his beloved wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada Pinkett Smith is the daughter of Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Robsol Pinkett, Jr. She also has a half-sibling named Caleeb Pinkett.
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Obituary
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr., father of the renowned actor Will Smith, passed away on November 7, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as reported by his son’s former wife, Sheree Fletcher. Willard Carroll Smith Sr. was a respected refrigeration engineer and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
He resided in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his three other children, Pamela Smith and twins Harry Smith and Ellen Smith, in addition to his famous son. He is also survived by Smith II’s three children, Will “Trey” III, Jaden Smith, and Willow Smith.
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Death and Cause of Death
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr died at the age of 78 years, on November 7, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He died after battling cancer.
Willard Carroll Smith, Sr. Son Will Smith
Will Smith (born on September 25, 1968) is a highly acclaimed American actor, rapper, and film producer renowned for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His illustrious career has garnered him numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards.
With his films grossing over $9.3 billion globally as of 2023, he is considered one of the most successful and in-demand figures in Hollywood. Smith’s journey to fame began with his role in the popular NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996), where he portrayed a fictionalized version of himself.
Before his acting career, he was part of a successful hip hop duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff, releasing five studio albums and several chart-topping singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 from 1984 to 1994, including hits like “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime.”
In addition to his musical achievements, Smith’s transition to leading roles in movies such as Bad Boys (1995), Men in Black (1997), Independence Day (1996), and Enemy of the State (1998) solidified his position as a prominent figure in the industry. He earned critical acclaim, receiving Academy Award nominations for his portrayals of Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001) and Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006).
Some of his other notable film credits include I, Robot (2004), Shark Tale (2004), Hitch (2005), I Am Legend (2007), Hancock (2008), Seven Pounds (2008), Suicide Squad (2016), and Aladdin (2019).
However, before his recent accomplishment of winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard (2021), Smith faced controversy in 2022 for an altercation with presenter Chris Rock during the ceremony, leading to his resignation from the Academy and a subsequent ten-year ban from attending its events.
Will Smith Wife and Children
Will Smith first married Sheree Zampino in 1992, and they welcomed their son, Willard Carroll “Trey” Smith III, on November 11, 1992. The couple later divorced in 1995. Trey made appearances in his father’s music video for the 1998 single “Just the Two of Us” and was featured in two episodes of the sitcom All of Us.
He also made guest appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show and the David Blaine: Real or Magic TV special. Subsequently, Will Smith married actress Jada Koren Pinkett on December 31, 1997. Their relationship began when Pinkett auditioned for the role of Smith’s character’s girlfriend in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
They collaborate in producing films through their joint production companies, Overbrook Entertainment and Westbrook Inc. The couple has two children together: Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born in 1998), who co-starred with his father in The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth, and Willow Camille Reign Smith (born in 2000), who appeared as his on-screen daughter in I Am Legend.
Smith and Jada have been open about their unconventional approach to marriage, humorously referring to their commitment as a “bad marriage for life.” Both have acknowledged engaging in extramarital relationships and advocate for the freedom to pursue them.
Smith once expressed his desire for a polyamorous relationship with actress Halle Berry and ballerina Misty Copeland but ultimately abandoned the idea after undergoing therapy. In October 2023, Jada Pinkett Smith publicly revealed that she and Will Smith had been separated since 2016; however, they have no current plans for a legal divorce.
Jada Pinkett’s mother, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, worked as the head nurse at an inner-city clinic in Baltimore, while her father, Robsol Pinkett Jr., was involved in operating a construction company.
Here are some interesting facts and other things you should know about Will Smith.
Will Smith Bio
- Full Name: Willard Carroll Smith II
- Occupation / Profession: actor, rapper and film producer
- Gender: Female
- Nationality: America
- Race / Ethnicity: Not known
- Religion: Christianity
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
- Popular/ Famous As: American actor and rapper
Age
- Age: 55 years old
- Date of Birth: September 25, 1968
- Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
- Birthday: September 25
- Zodiac Sign: Libra
Relationship and Family
- Marital Status: Married
- Dating / Wife: Jada Pinkett Smith (m. 1997), Sheree Zampino (m. 1992–1995)
- Children: Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, Trey Smith
- Father (Dad): Willard Carroll Smith, Sr.
- Mother: Caroline Bright
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Jaden Smith, Willow Smith, Trey Smith
Salary and Net Worth
- Salary: around $50 Million Per Year
- Net Worth: $350 million
- Source of Income: actor, rapper and film producer
Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
- Weight: Moderate
- Eye Color: Not known
- Hair Color: Not known
Will Smith Contacts
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