Movie star Will Smith was part of the 1980's pop duo D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and by 1990 his charisma and infectious enthusiasm had landed him the lead in a TV sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. His television success led to film roles, and he proved himself a capable leading man in Independence Day (1996, with Jeff Goldblum), Men in Black (1997, with Tommy Lee Jones) and Enemy of the State (1998, with Gene Hackman). He also continued his music career, releasing the albums Big Willie Style (1997) and Willennium (1999). His other film roles include co-starring with Matt Damon in The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000, directed by Robert Redford) and as boxer Muhammad Ali in 2001's Ali, as well as 1995's Bad Boys and its 2003 sequel (both with Martin Lawrence, 2004's I, Robot (based on the novel by Isaac Asimov), and the 2005 romantic comedy Hitch.

Smith married actress Jada Pinkett on New Year's Eve in 1997. He was formerly married to Sheree Zampino from 1992-95.