I never get tired of seeing actor Will Smith, who turns 50 on September 25, play optimistic, good-natured heroes. The Philadelphia native is equally satisfying in action-adventure blockbusters and inspirational dramas.
With star power that was evident way back when the sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered, Smith is known for charisma, goofy laughs and engrossing escapes from reality. No matter the movie, Smith says, "I really am attracted to characters who just want to do things that brighten the world," according to Esquire's 2015 "The ESQ&A with Will Smith." With that in mind, here's a look at some of his best movies.
Action
Playing the last person alive in New York City, Smith carries the post-apocalyptic science fiction movie I Am Legend. His character, Robert Neville, works to develop a cure for a virus that's wiped out most of humanity, but his trials don't end at the lab. Creepy encounters with infected mutants add suspense and his hopes for finding other survivors add poignancy. (Also noteworthy: Smith's daughter, Willow Smith, plays Neville's daughter in flashbacks.)
When aliens attack the Earth in Independence Day, Smith's Captain Steven Hiller helps save the day. The movie, which won an Academy Award for best visual effects, features panicked people, eerie alien ships and exploding landmarks. It checks all the boxes for a summer blockbuster, action-packed disaster movie.
In Men in Black, aliens disguised as humans walk among us. Smith partners with Tommy Lee Jones to monitor and cover up this alien activity, while also protecting Earth. The combination of Smith's Agent J as incredulous newbie and Jones' Agent K as been there, done that straight man makes for a fun comedy-science fiction-action movie.
Chicago, 2035: I, Robot offers another chance to watch Smith save humanity, this time as Del Spooner, the detective tracking the case of a robot thought to have killed a human, the co-founder of a robot manufacturer. Does this spell robot revolt, or is there more to the story?
Drama
The biopic Ali follows Smith as Cassius Clay from his first heavyweight championship through his conversion to Islam as Muhammad Ali, his exile from boxing and his return to the ring. Smith's intense portrayal of the legendary athlete and activist earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Smith's performance in The Pursuit of Happyness garnered another Academy Award nomination. The movie tells the inspiring true story of Chris Gardner, a down-on-his-luck salesman who becomes homeless—along with his young son. Smith captures Gardner's roller coaster of emotions, from frustration and fear to hope and determination. (And he shares the screen with his own son Jaden Smith. They also play father and son in After Earth.)
In Concussion, another biographical sports drama, Smith gives a powerful performance as Bennet Omalu, a doctor who uncovers connections between brain degeneration and playing in the National Football League. Omalu, a Nigerian immigrant, is targeted for his research, but Smith's portrayal bring his tireless fight to a wider audience.
What's your favorite Will Smith movie?
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