Editing Will Smith (section)

==Public image and legacy==
Smith has often been noted for achieving groundbreaking success throughout his musical career, and with his work as an actor in television and film. He has been cited as one of the "greatest actors" of his generation by several publications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonner |first=Mehera |date=March 27, 2022 |title=Get Acquainted With Will Smith's Full Oscars History |url=https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a39537937/does-will-smith-have-an-oscar/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=[[Cosmopolitan (magazine)|Cosmopolitan]] |language=en-US |archive-date=March 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329075609/https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/celebs/a39537937/does-will-smith-have-an-oscar/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Preezy |date=March 26, 2022 |title=Hollywood Shuffle: Will Smith's 10 Most Iconic Movie Roles |url=https://www.vibe.com/lists/will-smith-best-movie-roles-hollywood-shuffle/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]] |language=en-US |archive-date=March 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327002839/https://www.vibe.com/lists/will-smith-best-movie-roles-hollywood-shuffle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' referred to him as the "biggest movie star of the post-[[September 11 attacks|9/11]] era".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |title=How Will Smith's Assault On Chris Rock Could Hurt His Movie Career |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/04/01/will-smith-assualt-of-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-could-hurt-his-career-like-tom-cruise-johnny-depp/ |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402025827/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2022/04/01/will-smith-assualt-of-chris-rock-at-the-oscars-could-hurt-his-career-like-tom-cruise-johnny-depp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His transition from music to acting has influenced multiple rappers to also become actors, with him being cited as a pioneer for the rappers crossing over into acting by [[Complex Networks|''Complex'']].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Definitive List of Rappers as Actors|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2021/04/a-definitive-ranking-of-rappers-as-actors/|access-date=February 26, 2022|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226030749/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2021/04/a-definitive-ranking-of-rappers-as-actors/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Robert Jr|last=Yaniz|date=November 21, 2016|title=5 Best Rappers Turned Actors|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/5-best-rappers-turned-actors.html/|access-date=February 26, 2022|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|language=en-US|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226030749/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/5-best-rappers-turned-actors.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2006, ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' named him one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]];<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Schickel|first=Richard|date=May 8, 2006|title=The 2006 TIME 100 – TIME|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1975813_1975838_1976246,00.html|access-date=February 25, 2022|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020140645/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1975813_1975838_1976246,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> in 2008, ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' named him one of the 75 most influential people of the 21st century.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 16, 2008|title=The 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century|url=https://www.esquire.com/Chrysler200/most-influential-21st-century-1008|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=Esquire|language=en-US|archive-date=December 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223052903/http://www.esquire.com/Chrysler200/most-influential-21st-century-1008|url-status=live}}</ref>

''' Music '''

His work as a member of [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince]] made them the first rap act to win a [[Grammy Awards|Grammy Award]], and the first to win an [[MTV Video Music Award for Best Rap Video]], when the song "[[Parents Just Don't Understand]]" won in the inaugural rap categories at both award show ceremonies.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|last=Fields|first=Kiah|date=February 22, 2016|title=Best Hip Hop Moments of #BHM: Will Smith Wins First Rap Grammy|url=https://thesource.com/2016/02/22/best-hip-hop-moments-of-bhm-will-smith-wins-first-rap-grammy/|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=The Source|language=en-US|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225233932/https://thesource.com/2016/02/22/best-hip-hop-moments-of-bhm-will-smith-wins-first-rap-grammy/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Steiner|first=B. J.|title=Today In Hip-Hop: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince Win The First VMA For Rap|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/today-hip-hop-dj-jazzy-jeff-fresh-prince-win-first-vma-rap/|access-date=February 25, 2022|website=XXL Mag|date=September 6, 2013 |language=en|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225233922/https://www.xxlmag.com/today-hip-hop-dj-jazzy-jeff-fresh-prince-win-first-vma-rap/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[XXL (magazine)|''XXL'']] has referred to him as "one of the most important rappers of all time".<ref>{{Cite web |last=High |first=Kemet |title=Why Will Smith's G.O.A.T. Status Isn't Up for Debate |url=https://www.xxlmag.com/will-smith-definition-of-a-goat/ |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=XXL Mag |date=September 24, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225233921/https://www.xxlmag.com/will-smith-definition-of-a-goat/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2013, his debut solo album ''[[Big Willie Style]]'' (1997) is among the best-selling rap albums of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 50 Best Selling Rap Albums of All Time |url=https://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/the-50-best-selling-rap-albums/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=Complex |language=en |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324061514/https://www.complex.com/music/2013/05/the-50-best-selling-rap-albums/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''' Television '''

Smith launched his acting career by starring in the [[NBC]] sitcom ''[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]''; the show's success is considered to be a watershed moment for [[Hip hop music|Hip-Hop]] and Black television,<ref>{{Cite news|title=The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/11/fresh-prince-bel-air-hug-father-scene/|access-date=February 26, 2022|issn=0190-8286|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225095419/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/11/fresh-prince-bel-air-hug-father-scene/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Uschan|first=Michael V.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uVlmDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22watershed%22&pg=PT94|title=Will Smith|date=March 13, 2009|publisher=Greenhaven Publishing LLC|isbn=978-1-4205-0201-5|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111051/https://books.google.com/books?id=uVlmDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22watershed%22&pg=PT94|url-status=live}}</ref> with many publications referring to it as one of the "Greatest Sitcoms of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Becoats|first=Kellen|date=February 10, 2022|title=Sitcom or Not, 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Knew How to Pull Off Drama|url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2022/2/10/22925520/sitcom-or-not-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-knew-how-to-pull-off-drama|access-date=February 26, 2022|website=The Ringer|language=en|archive-date=February 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226030749/https://www.theringer.com/tv/2022/2/10/22925520/sitcom-or-not-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-knew-how-to-pull-off-drama|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fresh Prince GOAT|url=https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/the-fresh-prince-of-belair-is-returningas-a-gritty-drama/news-story/512fe75a6658412fb66f442d0d0dc9bd?amp|website=GQ Australia|date=August 12, 2020 |access-date=February 26, 2022|archive-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://archive.today/20220331133628/https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/the-fresh-prince-of-belair-is-returningas-a-gritty-drama/news-story/512fe75a6658412fb66f442d0d0dc9bd?amp|url-status=live}}</ref> Professor Andrew Horton said, "Smith's genre of comedy, popularized on the sitcom ''Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' translated well into commercial box-office appeal. ''The Fresh Prince'' watered down and capitalized upon the then growing popularity of Hip Hop and almost anticipated its dominance on the American scene".<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Horton|first1=Andrew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NB2zCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA345|title=A Companion to Film Comedy|last2=Rapf|first2=Joanna E.|date=December 14, 2015|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|isbn=978-1-119-16955-0|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111052/https://books.google.com/books?id=NB2zCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA345|url-status=live}}</ref>

Moreover, author Willie Tolliver noted, "What ''The Fresh Prince'' did accomplish was to put Smith and his character Will into an environment of affluence and possibility, thus changing the terms of his own Black identity. This social and cultural mobility is central to Smith's racial significance, and this will become evident again and again; he moves the image of the Black male into unaccustomed spaces just as Smith himself was in the process of conquering Hollywood".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Tolliver|first=Willie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dD1ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22rapper%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA46|title=Deconstructing Will Smith: Race, Masculinity and Global Stardom|date=January 6, 2022|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-1-4766-7569-5|language=en|access-date=March 11, 2022|archive-date=March 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111053/https://books.google.com/books?id=dD1ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22rapper%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA46|url-status=live}}</ref>

''' Film '''

After starring in his debut film ''[[Where the Day Takes You]]'' (1992), Smith quickly became one of Hollywood's most successful and bankable stars.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Obenson |first1=Tambay |date=March 13, 2022 |title=Will Smith's 14 Best Movies Ranked |url=https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-will-smith-movies-ranked/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=IndieWire |language=en |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324013918/https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/best-will-smith-movies-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He currently holds the record for the most consecutive $100-million-plus hits at the U.S. box office, with eight.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 12, 2020 |title=Every Box Office Record Held By Will Smith |url=https://screenrant.com/will-smith-movies-box-office-records/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210329191138/https://screenrant.com/will-smith-movies-box-office-records/amp/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Smith starred as Daryl Ward in the film ''[[Bright (film)|Bright]]'' (2017), which broke the record at the time for the most-viewed Netflix film ever for its first week,<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |date=January 3, 2018 |title=Netflix Firms 'Bright' Sequel With Will Smith |url=https://deadline.com/2018/01/netflix-bright-sequel-will-smith-david-ayer-joel-edgerton-1202234786/ |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617210325/https://deadline.com/2018/01/netflix-bright-sequel-will-smith-david-ayer-joel-edgerton-1202234786/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and became the first major Hollywood film to skip theatrical release over streaming platform for simultaneous viewing by more than 100 million people worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netflix makes history with Will Smith-starrer Bright |url=https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/01/06/1774982/netflix-makes-history-will-smith-starrer-bright |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=The Philippine Star |language=en-US |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111055/https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2018/01/06/1774982/netflix-makes-history-will-smith-starrer-bright |url-status=live }}</ref>

Smith's roles as Agent J in ''[[Men in Black 3]]'', [[Richard Williams (tennis coach)|Richard Williams]] in ''[[King Richard (film)|King Richard]]'', and Daryl Ward in ''Bright'' are among the highest-paid film roles of all time, with him reportedly earning $100 million for ''Men in Black 3''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2021 |title=Jack Sparrow to The Joker: 19 top-paid movie roles in Hollywood |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3127398/19-highest-paid-movie-roles-all-time-johnny-depp-pirates |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325023558/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/article/3127398/19-highest-paid-movie-roles-all-time-johnny-depp-pirates |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Travis|last=Clark|date=August 19, 2021 |title=25 highest paid movie roles of all time for actors: list |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/16-of-the-highest-paid-movie-roles-of-all-time-2018-5 |access-date=March 27, 2022 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=March 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324015241/https://www.businessinsider.com/16-of-the-highest-paid-movie-roles-of-all-time-2018-5 |url-status=live }}</ref> His film ''[[Emancipation (2022 film)|Emancipation]]'' (2022) was sold to [[Apple Studios (production company)|Apple Studios]] for $120 million in June 2020, which made it the largest film festival acquisition deal in film history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Will Smith Once Earned $100 Million for *ONE* Movie and Now His Net Worth Is Astronomical |date=October 26, 2021 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/entanglement-smiths-bank-account-please-191900979.html |access-date=March 27, 2022 |publisher=Yahoo! News |language=en |archive-date=October 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028164149/https://news.yahoo.com/entanglement-smiths-bank-account-please-191900979.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2022, Smith became the fifth black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, after [[Sidney Poitier]], [[Denzel Washington]], [[Jamie Foxx]], and [[Forest Whitaker]].<ref name="indiewire"/>