Will Smith

Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. was born September 25,

1968. He is an American actor, film producer and pop rapper.
He has enjoyed success in music, television and film. In April
2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor on the
planet. Smith has been nominated for four Golden Globe
Awards, two Academy Awards, and has won multiple Grammy
Awards.

In the late 1980s, Smith achieved modest fame as a rapper

under the name The Fresh Prince. In 1990, his popularity
increased dramatically when he starred in the popular
television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show ran for
nearly six years (1990–1996) on NBC and has been
syndicated consistently on various networks since then. In the
mid-1990s, Smith transitioned from television to film, and
ultimately starred in numerous blockbuster films that received broad box office success. In
fact, he is the only actor in history to have eight consecutive films gross over $100 million in
the domestic box office.

Fourteen of the 19 fiction films he has acted in have accumulated worldwide gross earnings
of over $100 million, and 4 of them took in over $500 million in global box office receipts. His
most financially successful films have been Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Independence Day,
Men in Black, Men in Black II, I, Robot, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, Hancock,
Wild Wild West, Enemy of the State, Shark Tale, Hitch and Seven Pounds. He also earned
critical praise for his performances in Six Degrees of Separation, Ali and The Pursuit of
Happyness, receiving Best Actor Oscar nominations for the latter two.

Family and early life

Born and raised in West Philadelphia, Smith also spent time in Germantown in Northwest
Philadelphia. His mother, Caroline, was a school administrator who worked for the
Philadelphia school board, and his father, Willard Christopher Smith, Sr., was a refrigeration
engineer. He was raised Baptist. His parents separated when he was 13, and did not
actually divorce until Smith was around 30.

Smith started as the MC of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, with his
childhood friend Jeffrey "DJ Jazzy Jeff" Townes as turntablist and producer as well as
Ready Rock C (Clarence Holmes) as the human beat box. The trio was known for
performing humorous, radio-friendly songs, most notably "Parents Just Don't Understand"
and "Summertime". They gained critical acclaim for winning the first ever Grammy in the
Rap category (1988). Smith spent money freely during his early career and underpaid his
income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service eventually assessed a $2.8 million tax debt
against Smith, took many of his possessions, and garnished his income. Smith was nearly
bankrupt in 1990 when the NBC television network signed him to a contract and built a
sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, around him. The show was successful and began his
acting career.

In 1996, Smith starred as part of an ensemble cast in Independence Day. The film was a
massive blockbuster, becoming the second highest grossing film in history at the time and
establishing Smith as a prime box office draw. In 1998, Smith starred with Gene Hackman
in Enemy of the State. Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild
West. Despite the disappointment of Wild Wild West, Smith has said that he harbors no
regrets about his decision, asserting that Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo was
superior to what he himself (Smith) would have achieved.

On December 10, 2007, Smith was recognized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on

Hollywood Boulevard. Smith left an imprint of his hands and feet outside the world
renowned theater in front of many fans. Later that month, Smith starred in the film I Am
Legend, released December 14, 2007. Despite marginally positive reviews, its opening was
the largest ever for a film released in the United States during December.

President Barack Obama has stated that if a film were to ever be made about his life, he
would have Smith play his part, because "he has the ears". Obama stated that the two have
discussed a possibility of a film based on the 2008 election, but this may not happen until
the end of the Obama presidency.

He is currently filming Men in Black III for a 2012 release playing Agent J one of his more
popular earlier roles, making this his first major starring role in four years.

Personal life

Smith was raised by his parents in West Philadelphia. Smith credits his father's dedication
when discussing his own involvement in the lives of his three children: "I look at my father
and how he was able to keep four kids fed and clothed and still managed to find time to
spend with us." Smith married Sheree Zampino in 1992. They had a son, Willard
Christopher Smith III, also known as "Trey", but divorced in 1995. Trey appeared in his
father's music video for the 1998 single "Just The Two Of Us". Smith married actress Jada
Pinkett in 1997. Together they have had two children: Jaden Christopher Syre (born 1998),
his co-star in The Pursuit of Happyness, and Willow Camille Reign (born 2000), who
appeared as his daughter in I Am Legend.

READING COMPREHENSION

1. What is Will Smith’s full name? _______________________________

2. When was he born? _______________________________________

3. Where was he born? _______________________________________

4. Why is he a celebrity? ______________________________________

__________________________________________________________

5. What TV show launched Will’s acting career?

__________________________________________________________

6. Name 4 films starring Will Smith.

__________________________________________________
_
__________________________________________________
_

7. What is your favourite Will Smith movie? Why?

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
___

8. Who performed ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ with Will?

 __________________________________________________________

9. How much money did Will owe the Internal Revenue Service?

10. What big film role did Will turn down?

__________________________________________________
_

11. What happened on December 10, 2007?

__________________________________________________
_

12. How many times has Will Smith been married? ________________

13. How many children does Will Smith have? What are their names?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
___

14. Why are his children famous?

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
____