The beloved and mega-hit 1990s television sitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airhelped propel lead Will Smith to stardom, and is a classic comedy staple. The show ran from 1990 to 1996 for six highly-successful seasons, and introduced the world to America’s favorite uncle Philip Banks, the iconically hilarious dance “The Carlton,” and the dynamite talent of its insanely gifted leads.
During the show’s lucrative run, Smith branched out and took the big screen by storm, headlining epicblockbuster hits likeBad BoysandIndependence Day.The sitcom served as a stepping stone for his ever-growing entertainment career, and also gave the cast a monumental platform to build upon. During its run,The Fresh Princewas the recipient of numerous accolades including NAACP Awards, Young Artist Awards, and two Golden Globe nominations for Smith, and drew in more than20 million viewers a weekat its height, a quarter of the entire national TV audience at the time.
A reunion special brought the electrifying cast back together in 2020 at HBO Max, and featured a moving tribute to James Avery, who sadly passed away in 2013. Adramatic reboot of the adored series, titledBel-Air,debuted on Peacock in February 2022 with Smith signing on as an executive producer. The original sitcom saw a resurgence in popularity following the hype around the reboot, garnering a new generation of fans and viewers. Here’s whereThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Aircast is now.
Will Smith (Will Smith)
For his lead role on the ‘90s classic sitcomThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, actor and rapper extraordinaireWill Smithportrays a fictionalized version of himself, appearing as a street-smart Philadelphia teenager who is sent to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel-Air mansion. The show was partiallyinspired by famed music manager Benny Medinaand Smith’s lives, and though by that point the actor was well-known for his music career as The Fresh Prince, Smith was struggling financially and jumped at the chance to star. During production ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,the performer found immense success on the big screen, starring in the drama Six Degrees of Separation, along withBad Boysand the summer blockbuster hitIndependence Daynear the end of the show’s run.
Following the conclusion of the sitcom in 1996, Smith went on to become one of the most influential and dominant presences in Hollywood, starring and producing in countless lucrative pictures like the sci-fi comedy franchiseMen in Black,action flicks likeI Am Legend,and theBad Boystrilogy among a myriad of others. The esteemed actor most recently won the Golden Globe Award for his vulnerable performance in the 2021 biopicKing Richard.
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James Avery (Philip Banks)
America’s beloved uncle to all,James Averyappeared as the commanding and strict family patriarch Philip Banks, who loves and cares for his children very deeply but has high standards for them. Over the course of the series, Uncle Phil develops a close bond with his nephew and goes out of his way to ensure Will becomes a well-rounded young man on a promising life trajectory. AfterThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airended, Avery found continued success on television, playing the lead role in the UPN comedy seriesSparksand making memorable appearances onThat 70s Show, The CloserandThe Division.
He had a notable voicework career, most famously as Shredder in the originalTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego,and narrating R.L. Stine’s anthology seriesThe Nightmare Room.The larger-than-life performer sadly passed away on New Year’s Eve 2013, following complications from open-heart surgery. HisFresh Princefamilypublicly honoredAvery, with WillSmith commenting:“Some of my greatest lessons in acting, living, and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest in peace.”
Janet Hubert (Vivian Banks)
Janet Hubert originated the roleof the vivacious and nurturing Vivian Banks, with the actress showcasing a more fiery and ambitious version of Will’s Aunt Viv. She portrayed the character for three seasons before allegedly being fired for her on-set behavior by the producers, with the part being recast by Daphne Maxwell Reid; at the time Hubert and Smith were notoriously at odds. During the sitcom’s 2020 reunion special,Hubert sat down with Smithand revealed, “I wasn’t unprofessional on set; I just stopped talking to everybody, because I didn’t know who to trust, because I had been banished. And they said it was you who banished me.”
The actress later expressed how her personal life was in turmoil, and she was stuck in an abusive marriage, and turned down a fourth season contract she believed was a bad deal. The gifted performersburied the hatchet during the specialand made amends, with Smith apologizing for his role in her departure. Hubert has gone on to make numerous television appearances on popular shows likeGilmore GirlsandThe Bernie Mac Show,in addition to roles on the soap operasOne Life to LiveandGeneral Hospital.She most recently was featured in an episode of the FX drama seriesPose.
Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian Banks)
Following the departure of Janet Hubert afterThe Fresh Prince’s third season,Daphne Maxwell Reidtook over the role of Aunt Viv, who was re-imagined as a homemaker once Nicky was born and introduced. The actress portrayed the character for three seasons, giving Aunt Viv a more demure and soft-spoken demeanor. Reid went on to appear alongside her real-life husband Tim Reid on the Tia and Tamera Mowry sitcomSister, Sisteras well as onEve, Crossing Jordan,and on the BET romantic comedy seriesLet’s Stay Together.She is also an accomplished photographer and clothing designer, and in 2022 she guest starredon the Peacock original showBel-Air,a dramatic re-imagining ofFresh Prince;Reid appeared in the ninth episode and portrayed Helen, an Art Council Board member.
Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)
Will’s preppy and conservative cousin Carlton Banks is famous for his iconic and hilariously entertaining dancing, and oftentimes serves as the main foil to his more adventurous cousin. At the show’s 2020 reunion special,Will Smith notedthat theFresh Prince’s comedy “was originally centered on the friction between Will and Uncle Phil…but it quickly became evident that the Will-Carlton dynamic would be the series’ primary source of humor.”
Though often at odds with the brash and daring Will, Carlton becomes his best friend and like a brother figure to the main character. Hemay not have wantedaFresh Princereboot, butAlfonso Ribeirohas had a very impressive hosting career since his days as the amusing character in the original, providing presenting duties for GSN’sCatch 21and the ABC Family gameshow and spelling bee seriesSpell-Mageddon.In 2014, Ribeiro competed on the 19th season ofDancing with the Stars,winning the competition with his partner Witney Carson. Since 2015, the charming performer has beenthe host of ABC’sFunniest Home Videos,replacing Tom Bergeron.
Related:America’s Funniest Home Videos Hosts Pay Tribute to Bob Saget
Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks)
The oldest child of the Banks family, Hilary is the attractive and dim-witted cousin of Will and despite being depicted as shallow, cares deeply for her family and loved ones. Hilary is shown as being extremely privileged and spoiled, but over the course of the series matures and develops a strong sense of integrity.Karyn Parsonsstars as the self-centered fashionista, appearing in the lively role for all six seasons.
She co-wrote, co-created, and appeared in the sitcomLush Lifeand the critically-acclaimed yet short-lived showThe Job,alongside Denis Leary. The actress found more success on the big screen, with notable roles in the comediesMajor PayneandThe Ladies Man.Parsons is a distinguished author, having written and published two books for children: 2019’sHow High the Moonand the 2020 picture bookFlying Free.She is alsothe creator of Sweet Blackberry,a content company featuring stories about unsung Black heroes.
Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks)
The youngest daughter of Philip and Vivian Banks, Ashleydevelops a close-knit bond with her cousin Will when he first arrives and sees him as an inspiring big-brother figure.Tatyana Ali’s vocal talent was showcased on the sitcom, with co-star Will Smith telling her she should seriously consider pursuing a musical career. In the series’ finale, Ali did in fact perform several songs and went on to release her debut albumKiss The Skyin 1998.
The album was certified gold and spawned the hits “Daydreamin,’” “Boy You Knock Me Out” featuring Smith, and “Everytime;” she released an extended play calledHelloin 2014. Aside from her musical career, Ali landed roles in films likeThe Brothers, Glory Road,andHome Againand had a recurring appearance as Roxanne inThe Young and the Restless.She currently lends her voice to the Disney Junior animated children’s seriesFancy Nancy.
Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler)
The Banks family’s sardonic and cynical butler Geoffrey is well-mannered and intelligent, and prides himself on his service to others and maintaining order in the household. The character is famous for his witty lines and frequent insults for the laziness of the Banks’, yet he develops deep ties with each of the members.Joseph Marcellportrays the entertaining Geoffrey, and has gone on to have immense success on both the stage and in front of the camera.He memorably played Gonzaloin Shakespeare’s playThe Tempestat Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in London, the titular character inKing Learand as Lord Lorton at Vaudeville Theatre’s production ofLady Windermere’s Fan.Marcell most recently appeared in an episode of the psychological thriller seriesRatchedin 2020. He stars as a troubled priest in the recent, dark horror filmThe Exorcism of God.
DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazz)
Will’s best friend and right-hand-man Jazz was initially introduced to the series as a recurring character, but was so well-received he became a regular shortly thereafter. Jazz is frequently shown being physically ejected from the house by Uncle Phil, and had an ongoing and unrequited crush on Hilary. Smith andDJ Jazzy Jeffcreated their successful hip-hop duo together, having created numerous hit songs like the Grammy-winning singles “Parents Just Don’t Understand” and “Summertime.”
Following the split of their group and wrap-up ofThe Fresh Prince,DJ Jazzy Jeff continued putting out music and solo work, releasing mix-tapes likeHip-Hop Forever IIIandThe Return of the Magnificent.In 2017, he and Smith reunitedand performed two shows in Europe: MTV Summerblast Music Festival and the Livewire Festival.
