Happy Birthday, Will Smith! His Life In Film

A look back at the icon's incredible box office run.

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He may be West Philadelphia born and raised, but now Will Smith is the king of Hollywood. On his 55th birthday, here is the legend's life in film.

Photo By Photo by Jerod Harris

Where the Day Takes You (1992) - He may be West Philadelphia born and raised, but now Will Smith is the king of Hollywood. It all started with Where the Day Takes You, an indie drama about teenage runaways in which Smith was the least-known star. But critics certainly took notice of his on-screen charisma. (Photo: Courtesy Cinetel Films)

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Where the Day Takes You (1992) - His big screen started with Where the Day Takes You, an indie drama about teenage runaways in which Smith was the least-known star. But critics certainly took notice of his on-screen charisma. (Photo: Courtesy Cinetel Films)

Paul in Six Degrees of Separation - In Six Degrees of Separation, Will Smith played Paul, a young man who cons a wealthy white family into allowing him to live with them by pretending to be the son of Sidney Poitier and claiming he went to school with their kids. (Photo: MGM)

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Six Degrees of Separation (1993) - Smith further proved his dramatic chops in this uptown drama, in which he plays a well-read con artist who has a knack for talking his way into Upper East Side penthouses. The actor also surprised viewers by playing a gay character, demonstrating how far he'll go to get into character. (Photo: Courtesy MGM)

Bad Boys (1995) - This action-comedy was the debut film of Michael Bay (who, like it or not, quickly became the blockbuster-maker of the decade) and turned Will Smith from Fresh Prince to bonafide movie star. Trivia: Did you know Arsenio Hall turned down the role of Mike Lowrey before it went to Smith?  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Bad Boys (1995) - It's the film that transformed Smith from TV star to box office gold! This buddy-cop comedy, which co-stars Martin Lawrence, kicked off the Fresh Prince's legendary eight-picture #1 streak and made him the prince of summer blockbusters. (Photo: Courtesy Jerry Bruckheimer Films)

Independence Day (1996) - Will Smith's alien invasion epic attacked the box office the way the film's space creatures attacked Nevada...only with more success. The film was the highest-grossing film of the year and, at the time, the second-highest grossing film of all time. It also kicked off the comeback of science fiction at the multiplex.(Photo: Courtesy Fox Pictures)

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Independence Day (1996) - When this disaster-action-sci-fi-comedy mash-up debuted in July, it became clear to Hollywood and the world that Bad Boys wasn't just beginner's luck. The film grossed close to $1 billion worldwide and is among the biggest money-makers of all time. (Photo: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox)

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Men in Black (1997) - Will Smith's winning streak continued with this sci-fi comedy, which not only grabbed nearly $600 million in box-office dollars, but was one of the best-reviewed major releases of the year. Critical success for a summer blockbuster? Sounds more difficult than protecting the Earth from the scum of the universe.(Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Men in Black (1997) - Smith scored a three-peat with this sci-fi comedy from cult director Barry Sonnenfeld. He also reignited his rap game by performing the film's title song. MiB earned overwhelmingly positive reviews, proving that popcorn flicks can win over even the harshest critics. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Columbia Pictures

Ali (2001) - A commanding figure inside of the boxing ring, Muhammad Ali's greatest test came when he protested the draft.  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Ali (2001) - After spending the '90s securing his post as the Blockbuster Boy, Smith kicked off the millenium by showing his serious side. His uncanny turn as legendary boxer Muhammad Ali reminded people of his dramatic acting chops and earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Leading Man - Beginning with Men in Black (2002) and ending with Hancock (2008), Smith starred in eight consecutive $100M+ grossing movies.  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Men in Black II (2002) - It's hard to imagine studios could wait five years to get back into the lucrative MiB business, but their patience was worth it. The film's half-billion dollar gross worldwide proved that fans hadn't abandoned lovable Agent J. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Bad Boys II - Back for a second installment of gun-toting and comedy, Lawrence and Smith teamed up for Bad Boys II still acting as funny loose cannons ready to bust caps at any second. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Bad Boys II (2003) - Smith kept the hits coming with this sequel to 1995's Bad Boys. This installment of the Michael Bay franchise was a financial success, earning a quarter-billion dollars worldwide. As for Smith, despite the eight year gap between the two films, he looked as though he had hardly aged a day. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

I, Robot (2004) - This futuristic sci-fi actioner was Smith's most technically ambitious film to date, combining his blockbuster appeal with his skill for drama. Though it was a diversion from his typically feel-good summer flicks, it was another box office winner for the on-fire star.  (Photo: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox)

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I, Robot (2004) - This futuristic sci-fi actioner combined Smith's blockbuster appeal with his skill for drama. Though it was a diversion from his typically feel-good summer flicks, it was another box office winner for the on-fire star. (Photo: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox)

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#7: Hitch - The perfect date, Will Smith played opposite Eva Mendes.  The Philly native showed off his sexy and proved he has the chops for romantic comedies.  (Photo: Sony Pictures)

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Hitch (2005) - Finally! After a decade of fighting aliens, robots and everything in between, we got to see Smith's softer side in this romantic comedy, about a playboy matchmaker who falls in love, co-starring Eva Mendes. The film was a critical and commercial smash, making Smith one of the few A-list actors who could transcend genres. (Photo: Courtesy Sony Pictures)

Pursuit of Happyness Premieres, Thursday at 9P/8C - Will Smith stars in the movie based on the life of Christopher Gardener.   Take a look at Will Smith's amazing career in film. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) - Just when we thought he was getting comfortable collecting those eight-figure paychecks for summer tentpole films, Smith surprised us again with his moving performance as a dad trying to reinvent himself for the sake of his son (played by Jaden Smith) in this real-life based drama. The actor earned his second Oscar nod. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Photo By Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures

I Am Legend (2007) - We know he can carry a film, but in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, Smith had to do it all by himself. The actor gave a riveting performance with no co-star to lean on for most of this visually groundbreaking film.  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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I Am Legend (2007) - We know he can carry a film, but in this post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller, Smith had to do it all by himself. The actor gave a riveting performance with no co-star to lean on for most of this visually groundbreaking film. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Hancock (2007) - After getting accustomed to seeing him clean cut and looking sharp, both on-screen and off, audiences were shocked to see a disheveled, surly Smith as alcoholic superhero John Hancock. Once again, the Philly native showed his range.  (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Hancock (2007) - After getting accustomed to seeing him clean cut and looking sharp, both on-screen and off, audiences were shocked to see a disheveled, surly Smith as alcoholic superhero John Hancock. Once again, the Philly native showed his range. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

Seven Pounds, Thursday at 11:30P/12:30C - Will changes the lives of strangers. (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

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Seven Pounds (2008) - This gut-wrenching drama didn't break box office records like many of Smith's other films, but it did keep his "serious actor" skills sharp. And the healthy $170 million gross showed that Smith doesn't need guns or visual effects to draw in his core fans. (Photo: Courtesy Columbia Pictures)

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Men in Black 3: May 25 - In the highly anticipated third installment of the sci-fi comedic series, Agents J (Will Smith) and K (Tommy Lee Jones) embark on a time travel mission so that J can partner with the younger version of K (Josh Brolin). They uncover a few secrets and save mankind. Also stars Nicole Scherzinger, Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.(Photo: Courtesy Amblin Entertainment)

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Men in Black 3 (2012) - After a four-year hiatus from the big screen, Smith returned with the second sequel to his 1995 smash. The film made a massive $654 million at the box office. (Photo: Courtesy Amblin Entertainment)

Partners in Crime - Father and son acting duo Will and Jaden Smith fist bump during an After Earth press conference at the Ritz Carlton in Tokyo. (Photo:  Ken Ishii/Getty Images)

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After Earth (2013) - In 2013, Will Smith starred alongside his son, Jaden Smith, in the science fiction film "After Earth." The movie was directed by M. Night Shyamalan.

Photo By Photo:  Ken Ishii/Getty Images

Will Smith, Celebrity News, Celebrities, Jay Hernandez, Suicide Squad, Beast Mode

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Suicide Squad (2016) - Will Smith played the character Deadshot in the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad. The movie featured a team of antiheroes and villains.

53rd NAACP Image Awards | Winner Will Smith King Richard | 1920x1080

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King Richard (2021): The biopic on Serena and Venus Williams's father, Richard Williams, was a massive success. In 2022, 30 years after his first film, Will Smith won the best actor Oscar. Happy birthday, Will Smith!