- Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 16 wins & 31 nominations.
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Series Cast Summary
Will Smith | ... |
Will Smith
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(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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James Avery | ... |
Philip Banks
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(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Alfonso Ribeiro | ... |
Carlton Banks
/ ...
(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Tatyana Ali | ... |
Ashley Banks
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(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Karyn Parsons | ... |
Hilary Banks
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(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Joseph Marcell | ... |
Geoffrey Butler
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(148 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Daphne Reid | ... |
Vivian Banks
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(75 episodes, 1993-1996)
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Janet Hubert | ... |
Vivian Banks
(74 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Ross Bagley | ... |
Nicky Banks
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(49 episodes, 1994-1996)
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DJ Jazzy Jeff | ... |
Jazz
(47 episodes, 1990-1996)
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Nia Long | ... |
Lisa Wilkes
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(16 episodes, 1991-1995)
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Vernee Watson | ... |
Viola 'Vy' Smith
(15 episodes, 1990-1995)
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Tyra Banks | ... |
Jackie Ames
(9 episodes, 1993-1995)
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Beverly Jackson | ... |
Nurse Avner
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(8 episodes, 1990-1995)
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Jenifer Lewis | ... |
Aunt Helen
(8 episodes, 1991-1996)
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John Petlock | ... |
Henry Furth
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(8 episodes, 1990-1991)
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Virginia Capers | ... |
Hattie Banks
(6 episodes, 1990-1995)
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Jim Meskimen | ... |
Werner
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(6 episodes, 1993-1996)
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Brian Stokes Mitchell | ... |
Trevor
(6 episodes, 1992-1993)
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Michael Weiner | ... |
Kellogg Lieberbaum
(6 episodes, 1990-1992)
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Keith Bogart | ... |
Jonathan Cartwell
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(5 episodes, 1990-1991)
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Sherman Hemsley | ... |
Judge Carl Robertson
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(5 episodes, 1992-1996)
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Perry Moore | ... |
Tyriq Johnson
(7 episodes, 1991-1995)
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Johari Johnson | ... |
Bridesmaid
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(5 episodes, 1993-1995)
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Dave Florek | ... |
Coach Smiley
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(4 episodes, 1990-1992)
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Lisa Fuller | ... |
Toni
(4 episodes, 1990-1991)
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William Cort | ... |
Headmaster Wallace Thorvald
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(4 episodes, 1990-1993)
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Charlayne Woodard | ... |
Janice
(4 episodes, 1991-1993)
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Michael Landes | ... |
Chadney Hunt
(4 episodes, 1990-1991)
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Darryl Sivad | ... |
Counselor
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(4 episodes, 1993-1995)
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Valentina Marie Lomborg | ... |
Campaign Worker
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(4 episodes, 1991-1992)
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Tom Williams | ... |
Baby
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(4 episodes, 1992-1993)
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Jonathan Emerson | ... |
Ned Fellows
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(3 episodes, 1990)
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Helen Page Camp | ... |
Margaret Furth
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(3 episodes, 1990)
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Garcelle Beauvais | ... |
Garcelle Beauvais
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(3 episodes, 1992-1995)
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John Amos | ... |
Fred Wilkes
(3 episodes, 1994-1995)
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Bree Walker | ... |
Bree Walker
(3 episodes, 1995-1996)
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Rolondas Hendricks | ... |
Jamal
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(3 episodes, 1993-1996)
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Monica Allison | ... |
Cheerleader #1
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(3 episodes, 1991-1995)
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Ajai Sanders | ... |
Candace
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(3 episodes, 1995)
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Felton Perry | ... |
Lester
(3 episodes, 1991-1992)
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Nicole Bilderback | ... |
Janet
(3 episodes, 1995)
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Yunoka Doyle | ... |
Keesha
(3 episodes, 1995)
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Tim Russ | ... |
Eugene
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(3 episodes, 1990-1992)
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Alain Mickelson | ... |
Hotel Patron
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(3 episodes, 1993-1996)
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Tyler Collins | ... |
Cindy
(2 episodes, 1990)
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Queen Latifah | ... |
Dee Dee Williams
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(2 episodes, 1991)
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Zachery Ty Bryan | ... |
Steve
(2 episodes, 1995)
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Brandon Quintin Adams | ... |
Bryan
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(2 episodes, 1991-1994)
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Jay Leno | ... |
Jay Leno
(2 episodes, 1994-1995)
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Production Companies
- NBC Productions
- Quincy Jones Entertainment
- Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment
- The Stuffed Dog Company
Distributors
- Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution (1993) (United States) (current copyright holder)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1996) (United States) (tv) (original airing)
- British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (1991) (United Kingdom) (tv) (BBC 2)
- Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão (SBT) (Brazil) (tv)
- Universidad Católica de Chile Televisión (1998) (Chile) (tv)
- Antenne 2 (A2) (1992) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- RTL (1997) (Germany) (tv)
- France 2 (FR2) (1992) (France) (tv) (dubbed version)
- AB1 (2013) (France) (tv)
- BBC iPlayer (2022) (United Kingdom) (video) (VOD)
- Comedy Central (2007) (Netherlands) (tv)
- Comedy Central (2017) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Direct 8 (2011) (France) (tv)
- Disney Channel (2003) (Spain) (tv)
- Disney XD (2010) (United States) (tv)
- France 2 (FR2) (2007) (France) (tv)
- France 4 (2008) (France) (tv)
- HBO Max (2020) (United States) (video) (VOD)
- NRJ12 (2022) (France) (tv) (16/9 cropped)
- Netflix (2019) (Singapore) (video)
- Nickelodeon Network (2011) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Noggin (United States) (tv)
- Sky Showcase (2021) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Soul media (2010) (Denmark) (DVD)
- Soul media (2010) (Finland) (DVD)
- Soul media (2010) (Norway) (DVD)
- Soul media (2010) (Sweden) (DVD)
- TV6 (2008) (Hungary) (tv) (re-release)
- Trouble (1997) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- VIVA (2013) (United Kingdom) (tv)
- Veronica (2000) (Netherlands) (tv)
- Virgin 17 (2009) (France) (tv)
- Warner Home Video (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 1)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 2-4)
- Warner Home Video (2005) (United States) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (Switzerland) (DVD)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (United States) (DVD) (complete third & fourth seasons)
- Warner Home Video (2010) (United States) (DVD) (complete fifth season)
- Warner Home Video (2011) (United States) (DVD) (complete sixth season)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- ABS Payroll & Production Accounting Services (payroll services)
- Central Casting (extras casting)
- Stiner/Block Casting (casting)
- Transition Music (music provided by)
- Vortexx (funding)
Storyline
Plot Summary |
In this popular African-American sitcom, Will Smith (played by Will Smith in his first acting gig) is a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia, who is sent to live with his wealthy relatives at their Bel-Air mansion in Los Angeles, California by his mother after getting into a fight with some thugs whilst playing basketball. His relatives include Philip Banks (played by James Avery), Will's strict and gruff uncle, who is a successful lawyer (later Judge) and Vivian Banks (played by Janet Hubert and later by Daphne Reid), Will's no-nonsense, forthright, and career-minded aunt who is a University Professor. Other members of the Banks family include Carlton Banks (played by Alfonso Ribeiro), Will's preppy and arrogant cousin, Hilary Banks (played by Karyn Parsons), Will's attractive but dull-witted, eldest cousin, Ashley Banks (played by Tatyana Ali), Will's youngest cousin who often looks u to Will, and Geoffrey, the family's cynical Butler. Will's working class background ends up clashing in various humorous ways with the upper class world of the Banks and frequently got him or other members of the family into trouble as well.
Written by Steve Richer |
Plot Keywords | |
Taglines | Influence goes both ways. See more » |
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Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
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Did You Know?
Trivia | Despite portraying himself as a charismatic, self-confident playboy, Will Smith has said that he was a shy, awkward teen who was very insecure about approaching and dating girls. See more » |
Goofs | In many early episodes, Will Smith visibly mouths his co-stars' words before his lines come up. See more » |
Movie Connections | Featured in Episode dated 7 September 1990 (1990). See more » |
Soundtracks | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air See more » |
Crazy Credits | Janet Hubert-Whitten was credited simply as Janet Hubert during the first three episodes. During that time, the theme song was its full uncut version. From episode 4 onward the theme song was reduced by one verse and the "-Whitten" was added to Janet's credit. See more » |
Quotes |
[Will's father came back into town, and then lied to Will about being around more and left. Phillip is trying to comfort him]
Will: Hey, you no what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. You know, ain't like I'm still five years old, you know? Ain't like I'm gonna be sitting every night asking my mom 'when's daddy coming home?' You know? Who needs him? Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned it, didn't I? And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? Phillip Banks: Yeah, you did. Will: Got to do my first date without him, right? I learned how to ride, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him; he never even sent me a damn card. The hell with him! [pause] Will: I didn't need him then, I won't need him now. Phillip Banks: Will... Will: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? I'm gonna get through college without him, I'm gonna get a great job without him, I'm gonna marry me a beautiful honey and I'm having a whole bunch of kids. I'm gonna be a better father than he ever was. And I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause there ain't a damn thing he can teach me about how to love my kids! [long pause; he's crying] Will: How come he don't want me, man? See more » |