What started as a need-of-the-hour measure to save his back account ended in becoming a career exuding unparalleled excellence. Will Smith started his acting career with The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, not knowing that he would one day go on to rule the industry. It has been more than three decades since the sitcom dropped its first episode. This also means it has been more than three decades of pure wit delivered with impeccable comic timing at the hands of Will Smith.

While grief can be impersonated and absorbed, delivering a punchline that escapes through a room of actors to make the audience in their humble abodes cackle is rare. And the ability to do both with equal ease is what made Will Smith the star he is today. But that was not always the case.

When Will Smith was not the funniest guy in the room

Years before the Oscar slap gate, there was a time when Will Smith could not deliver a joke provided to him, let alone take one. It was during the hiatus of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In between the short break, the actor found himself in a Fred Schepisi directorial huddled between esteemed actors. While the movie not only rose to critical acclaim but also received many nominations, it stole from Will Smith his most cherished quality. At least, on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. In his self-reflective memoir ‘Will’, he writes, “I couldn’t tell a joke to save my life,”.

For a show that thrived on the comedic excellence of its main character, the loss of Will Smith’s funny bone could cost a lot. Therefore, for a while, the burden of comic relief was put on the shoulders of the supporting actors. One that Smith remembered to thank was Alfonso Ribeiro. More than jokes, Smith also lost the gift of ad-libbing.

It was not until at least ten episodes later when Smith’s character, in an attempt to get Hilary to go on a date with his teacher who has a mole, iconically ad-libbed “Come on, you’re making a mountain out of a mole, Hil“. The actor describes this as a “career-saving comedic inspiration,” and his fans would not disagree. However, this confession did make us wonder how Six Degrees of Separation deprived Will Smith of his humor to such an extent.

Did the Fresh Prince get depressed after Six Degrees of Separation?

It is ironic how a psychological comedy-drama rendered Will Smith speechless. Or joke-less, to be more precise. But it is more Will Smith’s approach to his character than the plot of the movie that stole his humor for a short while. Finding himself in between a talented cast, and being a new actor, Smith was determined to do a good job. Hence, he practiced method acting to get into character. And let’s just say not being able to tell a joke was the least of the actor’s problems after the movie.

His intense approach to his character made him think he was in love with Stockard Channing. Something that played a huge part in his first divorce. Thankfully, Smith has mastered the art of seamlessly switching from a comedic character to one that demands more emotional depth. This is how he can follow up an Emancipation with a Bad Boys 4.

Could you imagine Will Smith not being able to ace his punchlines? Let us know in the comments below.