At the beginning there was nothing and then followed acclaim and an explosion of applause. 54-year-old Will Smith has had and is still cementing his decades-strong legacy in the entertainment industry. The actor who had his breakthrough in the 1990s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, never looked back ever since. After six seasons of the show, the star had created enough room for his persona to take on bigger roles.

His co-star, Alfonso Ribeiro, however, did not go on as many award-winning ventures as the King Richard star. It had also led many accusing Smith of not helping his mate out. Ribeiro once finally broke his silence on that matter.

An unseen bond lies between the former Fresh Prince co-stars

The Fresh Prince reboot recently winded up its second season while the original cast beamed back in glee. The initial show premiered from 1990 to 1996 and starred Will Smith, playing a slightly real-life version of himself. Along with him, Alfonso Ribeiro was one of the show’s main supporting cast and often seen alongside Smith. Speaking of their bond in 2020 at the Sway In The Morning show, Ribeiro had once shut down the critics by declaring that the Men In Black actor had helped him “in many ways beyond what we have seen on camera.”

The duo still share a bond that dates back thirty years. Speaking to Cinemablend, Ribeiro had stated that they were all together as a “family”. He also added that they both “enjoy spending time together and loving on each other.” After the show’s success, Smith went on to land multiple big hits and awards. Meanwhile, Ribeiro, who popularised his trademark dance from the show as the ‘Carlton Dance’, currently hosts Dancing With The Stars.

Additionally, the successful and formidable persona that Will Smith is today is largely because of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

How Fresh Prince of Bel-Air brought Smith right into the lap of Hollywood

Will Smith started his career by freestyling in his early teens. The actor was a member of the hip-hop duo alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff with hits like ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ and ‘Summertime’. The albums went on to land Smith his first-ever Grammy Awards. Following it, he tasted long-lasting success when he took on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990. Essentially being his acting debut, Smith’s performance brought him to the acclaim of Hollywood stalwarts like Steven Spielberg.

A 1992 drama titled Where the Day Takes You, was the actor’s first-ever role in a movie. Soon after, he starred in 1993’s Six Degrees of Separation. After which, success came calling for him. With Independence Day, Men in Black, and Enemy of the State, the actor became one of the most acclaimed and highest-paid actors. The $350 million worth actor has made movies that have made over $9 billion at the box office. As of now, Will Smith is looking ahead with the release of his Bad Boys 4 and I Am Legend 2.

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