Will Smith’s 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 2 Oscar nomination, 5 Golden Globe nominations and 3 MTV Movie Award wins

Will Smith has conquered much in his career. Holding down a career in music, TV and movies, he’s grown to become one of the world’s most popular actors.

But which are his best screen performances? Our guys have flicked through all of his work and picked his best ones. Take a look below and let us know your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom.

5. James Darrell Edwards III/Agent J in Men in Black (1997)

Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, who would in fact go on to direct the whole trilogy of these films. Men in Black centres on a seasoned member of an agency dedicated to policing alien life on Earth, who recruits a rookie detective, played by Smith, and partners up with him on his latest assignment.

This came at a point where The Fresh Prince was the top pick for all blockbusters, so it blended in quite well to building up his rep. He is fun as the NYPD detective whose eyes are opened by the revelation that extra-terrestrials live among us.

Famously, David Schwimmer of Friends fame was offered the role of Agent J first. In turning it down, it opened the path for Smith to snap it up.

4. Robert Neville in I Am Legend (2007)

One of the actor/musican’s more serious roles. This film tells the story of the sole survivor of a plague that has wiped out most of humanity and turned the others into zombie-like creatures. When not smacking golf balls or quoting Shrek, he is working on a cure and trying his best to contact any possible survivors.

Its needless to say, Smith plays the disgruntled man valiantly and pulls off the jaded character very well. Its no surprise that the actor has been Oscar nominated after all.

Smith admittedly became very fond canine co-star, Abbey, and tried to adopt her. As you’d expect, her owner or trainer was not going to budge.

3. Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

The show that put a young Fresh Prince on the map. Smith stars as a fictional version of himself who got into one little fight back in Philadelphia and as a consequence was sent to live with his aunt, uncle and cousins in money-centric Bel-Air.

A young Smith shot to stardom with his comedic, and sometimes dramatic, performance. There is even a reboot now in the works with a new Will already cast.

NBC originally cancelled the show after it’s fourth season, however the outcry from fans convinced the network to renew it. It ran for a further two years until Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey the Butler) decided to quit to return to the UK. This prompted the rest of the cast to mark the ending.

2. Alex “Hitch” Hitchens in Hitch (2005)

Probably Smith’s funniest movie to date. The star plays Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a “love doctor” who helps men with no game to win over the girls of their dreams once and for all.

Paired with a clumsy Kevin James and attempting to woo a drop dead gorgeous Eva Mendes with hilarious consequences, this makes for one of the actor’s best movies.

Will Smith actually suggested Kevin James for the part of Albert. Turns out he was a big fan of James’ sitcom, The King of Queens.

Related Article: Jim Carrey’s 5 Best Performances

1. Chris Gardner in The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

In first place we have easily Smith’s best performance to date. In this dramatic Biopic, we follow the star as he plays Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman who turns to a new career whilst trying to provide for himself and his young son.

Between the powerful scenes and fun moments between Smith and his on-screen/real life son, you are in the palm of the actor’s hand from start to finish.

In the final scene of the film the real Chris Gardner actually walks past his fictional self and son as a nice little cameo to end everything.

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Like our choices for Will Smith’s best performances? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.