From entertainment stars to real actors

Will Smith entered the professional art path as a rapper at the age of 16. He once had great success in the music field when he won the Grammy Award in 1989 and 1992. However, because of his early popularity, the black rapper was quickly tempted by money. After the tax evasion scandal at the end of 1989, his career gradually declined and fell into an economic crisis. At that moment, Will Smith found a new turn for himself: becoming an actor. And that decision changed his life forever.

Will Smith started his acting career with the series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

IMDB

In fact, Will Smith never intended to become an actor. However, due to financial difficulties, the male star reluctantly nodded to participate in the long-running TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to have money to manage his debts. Sticking with this film from 1990-1996, Will Smith has successfully removed the image and is loved by the public thanks to his charming and natural acting. After that, he was trusted by big directors to act in movies . The actor first appeared on the big screen through the horror film Where the Days Take You by Marc Pollo released in 1992.

With a reputation from his time as a rapper, plus an acting talent that has become increasingly proven over time, Will Smith has continuously achieved success. The actor gradually became a guarantee for the box office success of many hit blockbusters such as Made in America, Six Degrees of Separation, Bad Boys, Idependence Days… In 1997, Will Smith had the opportunity to take on the role. Agent J in Men in Black – the iconic film of action movies in Hollywood. After the work brought in half a billion dollars after only half a year of its release, Will Smith automatically became a star that was touted and sought after by the whole market.

Agent J in Men in Black is one of Will Smith’s trademark roles

SONY

At the time of the late 1990s, people fell in love with and loved Will Smith as a funny, likable box office star. But if it is said that Will Smith will win an Oscar one day, perhaps no one will believe it. And then in 2002, the actor surprised the movie world. Will Smith delivered an outstanding performance when transforming into boxing legend Muhammad Ali in the movie ” Ali”. This film brought the actor his first Oscar nomination in his career but lost to senior Denzel Washington.

After conquering the market film line, Will Smith proved his acting ability and was recognized by academia through the movie Ali

IMDB

Will Smith co-stars with son Jaden Smith in The pursuit of happiness

COLUMBIA PICTURES

In 2006, Will Smith continued to make fans happy when he played The Pursuit of Happiness – a gentle, profound and healing film. Until now, The Pursuit of Happiness is still continuously on the list of movies you should watch at least once in your life. Will Smith’s portrayal of homeless salesman Chris Gardner also earned him a second Oscar nomination. In 2007, Will Smith almost became a “national” hero on the silver screen with an emotional performance in the zombie-themed movie I am Legend.

An enduring career

Energetic and enthusiastic for more than 30 years, Will Smith deserves to be considered as one of the most expensive Hollywood stars. Throughout his career, he has participated in all kinds of movies from action, comedy, drama to horror, science fiction, musical … Despite mixed reviews, Will Smith still keep working hard.

Will Smith pocketed a huge fortune in roles after more than 30 years of filming

THE WRAP

In the past 10 years, Will Smith has had fewer unique works than in the 2000s. The actor mainly starred in big-budget action blockbusters such as M en in Black 3, After Earth , Suicide squad, Bright, Gemini man, Bad boys for life… He also acted in dramatic films, namely Concussion (2015) and Collateral Beauty (2016) but did not receive too much attention. In 2019, Will Smith also surprised the audience when he tried his hand at the musical Aladdin , playing the role of a genie.

Will Smith with a funny image as a genie

DISNEY

Will Smith worked with director Ang Lee in Gemini man in 2019, but the film was criticized for being safe and old

THE NEW YORK TIMES

At this stage, Will Smith is often judged as acting in one color and is too safe in choosing roles. Many people commented that he had kept his image of a lovely man for too long, from real life to the big screen. However, Will Smith’s charm has never waned. The actor’s salary is always in the top when receiving 20-40 million USD for each commercial film. With the most recent film he starred in was King Richard , the 53-year-old actor also pocketed $40 million despite this being a mid-budget sports biopic.

It can be said that the nod to join King Richard once again made Will Smith’s career flourish. In the film, he transforms into Richard Williams – the biological father of two tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams. Breaking the usual perfect image, Will Smith successfully portrays a mediocre, rough, somewhat domineering father who has great ambition and absolute confidence in his daughter’s talents. Will Smith’s role in this film makes people both love and hate.

King Richard is a biopic about the Williams family

WARER BROS

Will Smith proves his maturity in acting when transforming into Mr. Richard Williams

WARER BROS

In terms of the overall level of this year’s Oscars season, Will Smith’s performance in King Richard actually did not create a big breakthrough that shocked the audience like Benedict Cumberbatch in The power of the dog. Still, it fits, inspires, and elevates a biopic script that’s nothing too dramatic or mind-blowing.

Will Smith wins the Golden Statue for the Best Actor category at the Oscars 2022

VARIETY

Will Smith deserves to be rewarded after 3 decades of relentless dedication to cinema. The golden statue of Oscar received today is the result of his long journey, from a rapper, to a side-by-side TV actor, a box office star and then a real actor. When looking at Will Smith’s film fortune, despite having bad movies or good movies, it is undeniable that the actor always works with a kind and progressive spirit. Will Smith’s efforts and perseverance are greatly appreciated.