The history of pop icons attempting to make it in Hollywood is a long and often sad one. Many have tried and failed.

The world of rap probably has the best record of producing film stars. Tupac caused a major stir before his untimely death, LL Cool J’s star is rising, as is Queen Latifah’s. And then there’s the biggest of them all – Will Smith.

Formerly known as The Fresh Prince he is surely the most successful crossover star of the modern era.

This month DStv audiences can tune in to see dynamic Smith and so Jaden in the Academy-nominated movie THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS on M-Net. Airing on Sunday May 4, the film is inspired by the true story of Chris Gardner, a San Francisco salesman struggling to build a future for himself and his son.

Evicted from their apartment he and his young son, Christopher, find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position pays no money.

The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his family. Unlike the character he plays, Will Smith has indeed managed to make a good life for himself and his family.

He is one of a small group of people who have enjoyed success in three major entertainment media in the United States. Fans have even gone as far as calling him the most powerful actor on the planet. Smith has been nominated for a Golden Globe, two Academy Awards and has won multiple Grammy’s.

Setting out to become one of the biggest names in showbiz, Smith kicked off his career at the age of 12, rapping and developing his own style under the influence of hip-hop legend, Grandmaster Flash.?Four years later, at only 16, he met Jeff Townes, also known as DJ Jazzy Jeff, who he eventually collaborated with under the title, Fresh Prince.?

The two produced a number of songs including the worldwide hit Girls Ain’t Nothin But Trouble, and won their first Grammy for Best Rap Performance for Parents Just Don’t Understand. They won another Grammy in 1991 for Summertime.?

In 1993 the duo released their final album, Code Red. Years later Smith re-emerged as a solo artiste with his debut album, Big Willie Style.? After a successful music career Smith tried his hands at acting.

His most notable television role was that of William ‘Will’ Smith (his namesake role) in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. It wasn’t long before the movie offers came rolling in.?

One of his first roles was in the film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson, Made In America.?

His next role in the Oscar-nominated film, Six Degrees of Separation, garnered him international respect after proving to the world that he could play more than the comical Fresh Prince.?

This eventually led to the box-office hit, Bad Boys, which was one of the first-ever action films to feature two black lead actors, Smith and Martin Lawrence.

To date, his most notable roles include Agent J in Men in Black and Men in Black II, Detective Del Spooner in I, Robot, Muhammad Ali in Ali, as well as his role in the blockbuster Independence Day and more recently as Chris Gardner in PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and as Robert Neville in I Am Legend.

Since Smith first appeared in films, he’s won 28 awards and has been nominated for 49 others including two Oscar nominations for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role for his role in Ali and in The Pursuit of Happiness.

The dynamic Smith is also one of only 3 actors in the history of film to have 7 consecutive $100 million blockbusters; the others being Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.

Not content with success only in the music and film industries, Smith has branched out and has taken on a new role as producer.?

He recently launched Overbrook Entertainment, a film and television production company that also does artiste management.?Since its launch, Overbrook has produced several box office hits including I, Robot, Hitch, and the most recent, The Pursuit of Happiness.

Smith, who has been consistently listed in Fortune Magazine’s “Richest 40” list of the forty wealthiest Americans under the age of 40 is married to fellow actress, Jada Pinkett. Together the couple have had two children; Jaden Christopher Syre and Willow Camille Reign. Smith also has a son Willard Christopher, aka Trey, from a previous marriage.

Audiences can tune in for PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS on Sunday May 4 at 19:00 CAT on M-Net, Channel 102, on DStv.
Source: Modern Ghana