Will Smith, a name that is not unknown to the masses. Smith is one of the most successful and talented actors of this generation. Furthermore, the Men in Black star has a huge fan following. Over his three-decade-long career, Smith has starred in several iconic roles and movies. While we all know him for his roles in Men In Black and The Pursuit of Happiness, Smith got his big breakthrough in the famous American sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

The American sitcom series launched Smith’s acting career and made him a household name. But do you know the show was partly inspired by the place where Will Smith was born? But where was Will Smith born, and how did it inspire the sitcom?

Where was Will Smith born?

As many of us know, Will Smith was a rapper before he started his career in acting. Undoubtedly, Smith has had a very successful acting career. The I am Legend actor started his journey in Hollywood with his role in the popular sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The series is loosely based on Will Smith’s neighborhood.

Will Smith was born and brought up in Philadelphia. He grew up in an area in West Philadelphia named, Wynnefield. Smith was raised in Germantown in Northwest Philadelphia and spent his initial years in Philadelphia, where he met DJ Jeffrey Townes at Overbrook High School. In school, Smith was nicknamed Prince Charming, which he later changed to Fresh Prince.

The Focus actor initially earned fame through his rapping career with Jeffrey. The rap duo even won a Rap Grammy award in 1998 with their hit song, Parents Just Don’t Understand. Soon after, in 1990, NBC signed the Fresh Prince for the popular sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

How did Smith’s life in Philadelphia inspire the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

While the sitcom is not exactly the life story of Will Smith, it does have some similarities. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows the story of a black teenager who lives in Philadelphia. The boy later leaves his hometown to stay with his rich uncle in Bel-Air. Moreover, Smith’s character in the series also has the same name.  Interestingly, Will Smith even created the theme song Yo Home to Bel-Air for the series.

Have you watched The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Do let us know in the comments below.