Very cool and talented Willard Christopher Smith II (1968–) was born on this day in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An animated, glib child, his teachers gave him the nickname “Prince.”

“People laugh, but if I set my mind to it... I would be president,” he once said.

Smith first gained fame rapping with “Jazzy” Jeff Townes and became a household name with the joyful energy he brought to the hit comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996).

He transitioned into films with confidence, tackling bold roles in Six Degrees of Separation (1993), Men in Black (with Tommy Lee Jones, 1997), Enemy of the State (1998), and I, Robot (2004). His charisma and discipline made him one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.

“I can’t run away when I’m scared,” he told Parade. “I always have to attack. That’s how I deal with seemingly difficult things.”

Known for balancing heart and humor, he infused his personal life into his art. His son Trey inspired the rap hit Just the Two of Us. Married to actress Jada Pinkett, he often spoke about family, growth, and being better each year. “I feel blessed at this point in my career to still be getting better,” the engaging actor said.

In 2004, he was named AIDS global ambassador for the Nelson Mandela Foundation. His goal: to raise awareness, gather funds, and reach young people in South Africa. Smith said of Mandela, “He told me never to underestimate the power of what I do—to make people laugh, cry, and think.”

Through it all, his legacy is still unfolding. From hip-hop to Hollywood to soul work, Will Smith continues to amplify what’s already there: intelligence, vulnerability, and a fierce desire to do good.