Excuse me. Avery, a trained Shakespearean actor, represented the strong father figure; Smith, four years into his first acting gig, the young man coming into his own manhood; and Vereen, a theater vet, was a man lost. Sometimes, to end an sitcom, you need the main character of your sitcom to look around a now-empty set for the last time, turn off the lights, and leave. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. Phillip asks Vivian to allow him to talk to Lou in private, and Vivian agrees, on the condition that he doesn't hit Lou because she wouldn't want to miss that! Will tells Uncle Phil (James Avery) that he, straight up, has forgotten where he came from. It was that specific episode for me as a director [that] I saw him connect and make it work. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. Episode director Shelley Jensen worked on the series for all six seasons and watched Smith, who started the show at 21, go from novice to supernova. Philip Banks With Wednesday's press night under her belt and a standing ovation to . The much-acclaimed show recently completed its 30th anniversary. The story behind Will Smiths iconic hug scene in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Roger Goodell, Muriel Bowser discussed future of RFK site in December call, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors, Corey Dickerson aims to lead and have a bounce-back year with Nats. I agree so much . "Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? Will is originally from West-Philadelphia but was forced to move soon after participating in a fight with a couple of thugs. (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) Look at me. When the time has come for Top Dog to choose his new candidate, Carlton assumes he'll get picked, and Will's foolishness will not be tolerated. ", There is a popular misconception that Smith himself was also abandoned by his biological father in real life when he was young and had "broken character" while delivering the rant which went from being directed towards Lou to being directed towards Smith's own real-life father. Ain't even nothing to talk about. : I knew it was good, good television and it was really special.. : : I wanted him to approve of me., Fans of the show have long believed that Smith improvised that final scene in which his character builds to an emotional crescendo, loudly proclaiming all the milestones he got through without Lou, but every word was written by Bill and I, Zuckerman said. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. It's Carlton, Phil's son, whom we see suffer this trauma the most severely, even more so than Phil himself. Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? : Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. It was 1994, and he had just come off Six Degrees of Separation, a dramedy about a young con man who charms his way into a rich White family. We can talk about this another time. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. After landing a role on Fresh Prince, Will also snagged a leading role in the 1993 film adaptation of Six Degrees of Separation. People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut.". ", you know. It's a stunning piece of performance that lays the groundwork for the series' deft juggling of silliness and sincerity perfectly. The actor went off-script and played . Regrettably,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airis full of fat-shaming jokes, particularly from Will toward Uncle Phil (and in one entire episode, they bring on royal guest starQueen Latifahjust to have her be a learning moment that overweight people have feelings too; Latifah and Smith sell the material, of course, but there's definitely a lack of depth in the exploration, which I guess means Mametwasright). However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. William 'Will' Smith The two collapse into an embrace. The idea was to have Wills father come back and leave again, disappointing his only son for a second time. Will Smith Explains The "Dad Episode" of Fresh Prince, According to episode co-writer David Zuckerman, this episode was written to showcase Will Smith's dramatic acting talents, following his recent turn in the dramedy, The initial script for this episode cast Lou as a pool shark breezing through town. Yeah, that's cool. He was born in 1973 in West Philadelphia. HD1080p WILL'S DAD EMOTIONAL SAD SCENE ON THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIRNEW 2013 OF. Reply . Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. Will has grown and learned immeasurably from his new circumstances and familial compassions, and these growths came so organically that he didn't even notice them happening. [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] Recently, a rumor started to circulate that this scene wasn't scripted, and that Will Smith really lost it because his actual father was an absentee. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. Kim Kardashian Tackled to the Ground at Paris Fashion Event, Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Casting Call for Kids in Peachtree City, Georgia, NBA YoungBoy and Birdman Hire Director for 'Ballin Blocker 2', 'The Weeknd' To Star in a Movie He Co-Wrote and Produced, Michael B. Jordan Reunites with High School Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? . The two awkwardly find themselves talking with Lou claiming he's a self-employed truck driver now, and that he recently spoke to Will's mother, who informed him that Will was now in Bel-Air with his Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, so he drove down to see his son. For more onThe Fresh Prince, here's the latest intel on the upcoming reboot. This relationship needs to be attended to, now. Now, let's get to the bottom of this rumor. Why did it take so long? I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. Borrowing its title fromGuess Who's Coming to Dinner, the 1967 film in whichKatharine Houghtonbrings home fianc Sidney Poitierto her white parents to examine interracial relationships in a lightly comedic purview, "Guess Who's Coming to Marry?" Gregory Lawrence (aka Greg Smith) is a writer, director, performer, songwriter, and comedian. The reviews were solid for the then-25-year-olds first dramatic movie role, so Smith was ready to do something that had a little bite to it, Zuckerman said. The Fresh Prince Project/Transcript | The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air | Fandom : In its six seasons on NBC, the series a grittier version of The Cosby Show that juxtaposed hip-hop culture with Black upper-class ethos tackled everything from racism to sexism to a two-step dubbed the Carlton.. I might have been 12 and my brother 9 when one day he decided he wanted a new front wall at his shop. : You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. [3] Casting Calls and news is updated daily get the industry news here! In celebration of its 30th anniversary (the pilot aired September 10, 1990), I wondered why this show continues to play so wonderfully and warmly where so many other '90s sitcoms become forgotten. WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. Having three Black male actors in an intensely dramatic scene on a comedic series only added to the power of the moment. Will, as he is wont to do, acts a fool; and Carlton, as he is wont to do, hops over every task with a double front-flip, cleaning up the joint while he's at it. After the following perfect take, which made it into the final episode, Avery whispered in Smith's ear during Will and Uncle Phil's hug, "That's fucking acting right there. William 'Will' Smith The episode title is a reference to the James Brown song. He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. He's my father. Look at me, use me. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. Before he can do so, Will walks in, packed and ready to go. will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. | That childlike sense of rage, coupled with his newfound maturity, rises into his throat; his final act of defiance is to refuse to call his father "Dad," opting for his name instead. It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. William 'Will' Smith You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. Will makes it to the hospital, and even has a laissez-faire gallows sense of humor about the whole ordeal. He made a mistake. You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. Smith and his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were already big names on the hip-hop scene when the Fresh Prince opportunity presented itself. Philip Banks: I'm sorry. He said, Now, dont you all ever tell me theres something you cant do. And he walked into the shop. Uncle Phil grabs Will and hugs him fiercely, as he wished his father would. Revealing that he bought Lou a present a sculpture of a father holding his son he insists that he's made it through his entire life, and all of his formative moments, without his dad, and that he'll just keep going. ", "He kept me in line. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Will's Father leaves Charles Bentley 13.3K subscribers 381K 13M views 7 years ago There wasn't a good quality version of one of the most touching scenes in TV. Look no further than Atlantic Records' $125/Day Fort. "We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college. Okay? Lou Smith Will knows the truth, however that these cops will take any chance they can get to subjugate two young Black men, especially given that they're driving a "stolen car." The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a 1990s sitcom that stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. Has this period, reactionary and transitory in intention, ended with an anticlimactic ellipses rather than an emphatic exclamation? William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. I remember someDavid Mametquote that said it doesn't matter how good an actor is; if the script is good, the final product is good. Just lay one brick, dude. (Via). Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. He tries to make the exit without Will noticing, but Will does. See production, box office & company info, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]. He's fond of structure, of status, of systems. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith I'm ready to be part of your life if you'll let me. : James Avery (Uncle Phil) is also visibly in tears. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Will Smith: What are you, Robo-Butler, man? It originally aired on May 9, 1994. William 'Will' Smith Use me. Lou Smith Will Smith: Hey man, it's cool if you just call me Will, man. However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. Excuse me, bring the horses around would you, ha! William 'Will' Smith Then, the waterworks. are heading to New England themselves to be closer to their family. Hilary and Ashley are heading to New York, Carlton is heading to Princeton, and Phil and Viv (and Nicky; remember Nicky?) You probably remember the goofy dancing scenes and guest appearances from DJ Jazzy Jeff, but every so often, The Fresh Prince would attempt something legitimately poignant. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. : : The two later return to the Banks mansion, where Vivian is less than happy to see Lou, but maintains a civil presence around him for Will's sake. Philip Banks The rest of the series includes commentary about Black relationships with the police (think DJ Jazzy Jeffinstinctually putting his hands up when a bailiff asks him to swear to tell the truth in court), but here, it did so explicitly and explosively. The young actor would go on to deliver one of the biggest emotional punches in Fresh Prince history. And he told us that this was going to be our gig over the summer. Within Smith's oeuvre, the Fresh Prince mode dominates in other roles like Oscar the fish in the animated film Shark Tale and the 1993 movie Made in America. : As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. : : Tells him he grew up on the streets of Baltimore. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. You might notice his hat coming off. All of the Banks are planning on leaving their palatial Bel-Air estate, which we've gotten to know and love over six seasons. : Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Aunt Vivs Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid return alongside the rest of the cast for HBO Max's unscripted 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion. Vivian Banks : That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist. The Fresh Princeis unbelievably silly, no doubt, with its oft-arch performances and willingness to surreally break the fourth wall ("How come we can't afford ceilings?" How come he don't want me, man? In reality, Smith's parents separated when he was 13 but his father remained a major figure in his life up to his death in 2016. And to do so, he has to leave the building one final time. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. He also recalls that unusually for a sitcom with a live audience, the audience was entirely silent during filming, comparing the average taping as like a football stadium but this taping like "being in a church.". The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. He was the model for me of an actor. The actor was so convincing in his delivery that the entire audience started crying. Geoffrey Butler: You have the right house. : Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Discover fresh prince of bel air father scene 's popular videos | TikTok All this "Master William" stuff, I'm not down with that, make it sound like we back on the plantation or something, we like "Massa William, Massa William!" : Like, James Avery wouldnt give me a damn inch, the actor recalled on TIDALs Rap Radar podcast series. Not quite. Filming & Production That he has no idea what life on the streets is like. Will. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. William 'Will' Smith: I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. Those qualities I assigned Carlton regarding the previous episode? [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly] The entire temperature of the room shifts. I'm sorry that everybody can't be as perfect as you, Uncle Phil, but if I can forgive him, how come you can't? Will and Carlton are determined to stop their female family member from having sex, using intercoms and interrogation tactics as devices to get in the way, to claim ownership over Ashley's body, to inherently view a young woman's sexual exploration as robbing her of her "purity." The fatherhood episode was pivotal, Jensen added, because it marked Smiths arrival as a force to be reckoned with. [to Will] Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper.Known for variety of roles, Smith has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and four Grammy Awards. Wake up, Will. Will and his dad, Willard Carroll Smith, Sr., remained on good terms until he passed away in November 2016. He reflected that there was an element of his character fully coming to terms with how much he had failed Will after being referred to by his name rather than as "Dad". So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. He never even sent me a damn card! But his words, as Uncle Phil's so often do, ring passionate with promise, with ideals, and with familial love. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. Nov 11, 2021, 12:36 PM. He tore the old one down it was probably 16 feet high and 40 feet long. This article was published more than2 years ago, This week marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the classic 1990s sitcom that transformed a buoyant (and broke) young rapper into Will Smith, blockbuster movie star. The Real Story Behind the Most Heartbreaking Scene in 'The Fresh Prince This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone! Recently, a rumor started to circulate that this scene wasn't scripted, and that Will Smith really lost it because his actual father was an absentee. [pause] But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. Thing is, hes not really acting here much of Wills speech was ad-libbed and based on his own traumatic childhood. : [shouts] Philip: Yeah, then why did he say it? Jensen said Avery, who died in 2013, was a driving force on set. While working at the Los Angeles University student restaurant, Will recognizes a customer - his father - whom he has not seen for 14 years. We see this formative piece of growing up reacted to in two different ways a very problematic one, that happens to be driven by two leading men; and an incredibly sensitive, sincere, and real one, that happens to be driven by two leading women. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. No, he said. Then, she gives Ashley the agency and compassion he needs to make this decision moving forward: "Only you'll know when the time's right for you." : The story behind the episode is almost as good as the episode itself. Geoffrey Butler: I am not your Uncle Philip. He also played Richard Williams, father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. William 'Will' Smith: [shouts] To hell with him! Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Vivian Banks : "He kept me in line. Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. Published Feb 2, 2021. At 2:04 Will goes off script, so everything that happens after that is real. When Will calls him Lou, oh my God, his whole frame just shrunk because he realized at that point that hed lost his son. And finally, just like any great play, she tells her sister Janice what's really going on. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? Lou Smith eegyvudluk pootoogook / stacey and dave forsey net worth / will smith fresh prince dad scene script. I'ma get through college without him, I'ma get a great job without him, I'ma marry me a beautiful honey, and I'ma have me a whole bunch of kids. Will's very pleased with this. Because you're my son and I love you. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. Classic Black sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are finally streaming. William 'Will' Smith : We were all in the moment. And insists that Carlton leaves the gun behind immediately. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). This film was the first movie he ever worked on, and this really helped him make the giant leap from being a TV actor to a film actor. I wanted him to want me. | Will's father is a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat. Will Smith is a two-time Oscar nominee and one of the most popular actors (and genies) of his generation. He never even sent me a damn card! I love when classic multi-cam sitcoms feel like excuses to put classic theater on television for the masses, and this episode has a wondrous scene that vaults into this hallowed ground. The Saddest Scene In The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air History Aired 25 Years Ago Today, GloRilla, Ice Spice, And The Carefree Black Girl Backlash, Karol G Tells Us About Her Most Personal Album Yet, Maana Ser Bonito, And Collaborating With Shakira, The Rundown: Cousin Gregs Finest Moments From The Succession Final Season Trailer, Ranked, Creed III Has What Every Sequel Needs, A Director Who Seems Personally Invested, How Bail Bag Helps The Formerly Incarcerated Get Back On Their Feet, Advice From A Finance Pro For How To Survive (And Thrive) In This Economy, Why We Shouldnt Forget About The Game Stop Short Squeeze, Five Cities Where Latinx Street Art Is Alive And Well, Travel Budgeting Pro Gabby Beckford Shares Her Best Financial Advice For 2023 Adventures, We Blind Tested Our Favorite Fast Food Double Cheeseburgers & Crowned A New Champ, How To Actually, Truly Buy Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon For Real, Were Picking The Very Best Air Jordan IIIs Of All Time, Game On: How Grant Williams Embraces His Role On And Off The Court, Jamal Crawford On Joining TNTs Tuesday Night Desk, Brooklyns Turnaround, And The NBAs Offensive Explosion, How Sneaker Customizer Marcus Floyd Is Breaking Into Pro Sports, One Horse Shoe At A Time, Talib Kweli & David Cross On Boots Riley, Bob Odenkirk, Palestine, Tribalism, NLE Choppa Takes Uproxx Behind His 23 Music Video, B-Lovees Uproxx Sessions Performance Of IYKYK May Have Been Ice Cold But Hes With All The Smoke, 112s Cupid Video Gets Some React Like You Know Love From 2Rare And TiaCorine, All The Best New R&B From This Week That You Need To Hear, The Most Anticipated Albums Of Spring 2023, Don Tolivers Stylish Third Album Love Sick Is A Step In The Right Direction, All The Best New Pop Music From This Week, Steven Hydens Favorite Music Of February 2023.