Will Smith on how he landed The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

May 12, 2018 6:47 AM

A short video of Smith telling how he got a huge break after his career looked done. (link to a twitter video from @onlyhiphopfacts)

There's a lot in this 5 min video about privilege, gatekeepers, patronage and luck.

posted by hawthorne (14 comments total)

"It's like The Wiz without the costumes"

There's a lot in this 5 min video about privilege, gatekeepers, patronage and luck. - I agree, but there's also something to be said about talented people coming together and saying - let's make this thing.

p.s. I would love to hang out with a drunk Quincy Jones.
posted by SonInLawOfSam at 6:58 AM on May 12, 2018 [7 favorites]

wow

this is a story all about how his life got flipped turned upside down
posted by entropone at 7:09 AM on May 12, 2018 [33 favorites]

That was pretty great.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 7:35 AM on May 12, 2018

He owes that girlfriend some $$.

I do love some real stories about success and luck and sloppy sideways moments that actually turn into something. It could’ve been another flop...but it wasn’t. Will Smith is so charming.
posted by amanda at 8:05 AM on May 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

Great article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
posted by jjoncik at 8:07 AM on May 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

There's been no shortage of celebrity stupidity on social media this past year but Will Smith has been a delight.
posted by girlmightlive at 8:13 AM on May 12, 2018 [1 favorite]

That was charming.
posted by greermahoney at 9:44 AM on May 12, 2018

This was really great.
posted by graventy at 10:30 AM on May 12, 2018

"I don't have The Time" - that's brilliant.
posted by stevil at 10:32 AM on May 12, 2018 [4 favorites]

I am so glad I watched this.
posted by rednikki at 6:50 PM on May 12, 2018

p.s. I would love to hang out with a drunk Quincy Jones.

Unless I'm his lawyer. Jeez, just trying to enjoy a party here, now I'm in the car writing contracts.
posted by ctmf at 9:45 PM on May 12, 2018 [2 favorites]

So - speaking of Will Smith and gatekeeping. Around 1989 or so, I was in a mode of "discover the phone system" and for shits and giggles, I called Philadelphia directory assistance, and asked for "Will Smith". "Which one?" Because of course. Smith.

Hmm, my little 7th/8h grade brain says - what about DJ Jazzy Jeff, then... So I say "Jeffe Townes?"

I was given a number, apparently it was the only Jeff Townes in ...town.

215-472-1802 was, in 1989, if my theory is correct, Jeff Townes aka: DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Unless there happened to be another one whose number I received.

If anyone has information corroborating that Jeff lived in Philly at that point, and further, if you have contact and can find out if some dumb pimply faced squeaky voiced kid called his number a few times before he chose to disconnect it, that'd be great.

But I really want to believe there was no gatekeeper and I did leave a message on the great DJ Jazzy Jeff's answering machine. Little ol' Wisconsin farmboy me.
posted by symbioid at 11:26 AM on May 13, 2018

Worth every minute. Sho-biznus!
posted by filtergik at 5:42 PM on May 13, 2018

That man really can tell a story. This one about the only time Smith met Michael Jackson also shines.
posted by LeLiLo at 12:48 AM on May 15, 2018