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Fresh Will Smith facts

News
29 May 2023
From rapper to an iconic movie megastar.
Man in a tux holding an award

We've dug out a few facts about the leading man of King Richard, Will Smith, who plays Serena and Venus's father. Sit up and enjoy!

Fresh prince of rap

Smith started as a rapper going by the name The Fresh Prince. Together with his childhood friend DJ Jazzy Jeff, they formed a hip-hop duo. They bagged their first-ever Grammy Award in 1989 for Best Rap Performance for ‘Parents Just Don't Understand’.

Float like a butterfly, slap like Will Smith

In 2022 Smith stunned everyone when he slapped Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards broadcast. Did you know this incident was not his first? Back in 2012, during the premiere of Men in Black 3, the actor raised his hand to a prankster who tried to kiss him.

Forbes's most bankable star

Forbes magazine named Will Smith the Most Bankable Star in Hollywood. The actor scored 10 out of 10 in Forbes's star currency list compiled by surveying more than 150 industry professionals.

Master of Rubik's Cube

In The Pursuit of Happyness, Smith’s character solved the Rubik's Cube in 55 seconds. All props go to him, not a hand double. Tyson Mao (Rubik's Cube champion and co-founder of the World Cube Association) taught Smith the basics, and he mastered the art by practising.

Based on a true story that will inspire the world, your Sunday night movie King Richard follows the journey of Richard Williams, an undeterred father instrumental in raising two of the most extraordinary, gifted athletes of all time, Serena and Venus Williams.

Catch King Richard this Sunday at 20:05 CAT on M-Net 101, or catch up on DStv after the movie airs. Join the conversation on social media @mnetmovies  on Twitter, @MNet  on Facebook, @mnettv  on Instagram, and @mnet on TikTok.