Will Smith’s Best Roles

Will Smith is one of the most charismatic and successful leading men in Hollywood history. For decades, he has brought an unmatched energy and charm to the screen, creating a powerful connection with audiences all over the world. His star power is undeniable, and he has a unique ability to command the screen in any genre he tackles. He built a career on a foundation of humor and confidence that made him a global superstar.

As his career evolved, he demonstrated a remarkable range, moving from blockbuster action films and comedies to powerful dramatic roles. He proved his skill as a versatile performer by taking on complex characters and emotionally demanding stories. This willingness to explore different facets of the human experience showcased his depth as an actor and solidified his status as a true movie star, capable of delivering both spectacular entertainment and poignant drama.

‘Hitch’ (2005)

In this romantic comedy, Smith plays Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a smooth and successful consultant who privately works as a “date doctor.” His job is to help men who are unlucky in love overcome their fears and win the affection of the women they admire. He is a master of creating the perfect first impression and guiding his clients through the early stages of a relationship.

Hitch’s professional confidence is tested when he meets Sara Melas, a gossip columnist who is immune to his charms. While trying to navigate his own complicated romantic life, he takes on a particularly challenging client, a clumsy accountant who is in love with a famous celebrity. The role showcases his signature charm and comedic timing.

‘Ali’ (2001)

Smith portrays the legendary heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali in this biographical film. The story focuses on a transformative decade in the champion’s life, beginning with his first title victory against Sonny Liston in 1964. It covers his conversion to Islam, his friendship with Malcolm X, and his principled stand against the Vietnam War.

The film follows his exile from boxing and his eventual return to the ring, culminating in his historic “Rumble in the Jungle” fight against George Foreman in Zaire. The role required a significant physical and emotional transformation to capture the charisma, conviction, and iconic cadence of “The Greatest.”

‘Six Degrees of Separation’ (1993)

In one of his earliest dramatic roles, Smith plays Paul, a charming, intelligent, and mysterious young man who appears at the doorstep of a wealthy New York art dealer couple. He claims to be a friend of their children from Harvard and the son of a famous actor. He quickly wins them over with his sophisticated conversation and culinary skills.

As Paul becomes more enmeshed in their lives, the couple begins to question his true identity, leading to a series of revelations that expose the comfortable illusions of their own world. The character is a complex and eloquent con artist whose story explores themes of identity, class, and the connections between people.

‘Bad Boys’ (1995)

Smith plays Mike Lowrey, a suave and wealthy Miami narcotics detective. Mike is a fast-talking ladies’ man who drives a sports car and lives a luxurious lifestyle, which often clashes with the more grounded family life of his partner, Marcus Burnett. The two have a close but frequently argumentative friendship.

The action-packed story follows the two detectives as they race against the clock to recover a massive shipment of stolen drugs from their department’s evidence vault. To get their only witness to cooperate, they are forced to switch identities, leading to a series of high-stakes and hilarious situations.

‘Aladdin’ (2019)

In this live-action adaptation, Smith takes on the role of the Genie, a powerful and comical magical being who lives inside an oil lamp. After being trapped for a thousand years, he is released by a young street urchin named Aladdin and is bound to grant him three wishes. He is a shapeshifting force of nature with an upbeat and flamboyant personality.

Beyond his magical duties, the Genie forms a genuine friendship with Aladdin, offering him advice on life and love. He also harbors his own deep desire, which is to be freed from the lamp and live a normal human life. The performance brought a new style and energy to the beloved animated character.

‘Independence Day’ (1996)

Smith stars as Captain Steven Hiller, a cocky and skilled U.S. Marine F/A-18 pilot. When a fleet of massive alien ships appears over Earth’s major cities, Hiller is among the first to lead a counterattack. After a disastrous initial engagement, he manages to take down one of the alien fighters in a daring aerial dogfight.

His actions lead him from the front lines of combat to the heart of humanity’s last-ditch effort to fight back against the technologically superior invaders. Hiller’s bravery, humor, and iconic one-liners helped establish him as a quintessential action hero and a central figure in the global resistance.

‘Concussion’ (2015)

Smith portrays Dr. Bennet Omalu, a brilliant forensic pathologist who made a groundbreaking medical discovery. The film follows Omalu as he conducts an autopsy on a former professional football player and uncovers evidence of severe brain damage caused by repeated blows to the head.

He names the degenerative disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, and publishes his findings. His research is met with fierce denial and intimidation from the National Football League, forcing him into a difficult and prolonged battle to have the truth about the dangers of the sport recognized.

‘I, Robot’ (2004)

In this futuristic thriller, Smith plays Detective Del Spooner, a homicide investigator in 2035 Chicago. Spooner harbors a deep-seated distrust of the highly intelligent robots that have become common assistants for humanity. His prejudice stems from a personal tragedy that has left him with a cybernetic arm.

Spooner is called in to investigate the apparent suicide of a brilliant roboticist, but he believes a robot was responsible for the death, something thought to be impossible due to the Three Laws of Robotics. His investigation uncovers a much larger threat that could endanger all of humanity.

‘I Am Legend’ (2007)

Smith plays Robert Neville, a gifted U.S. Army virologist who finds himself the last human survivor in New York City after a man-made virus has wiped out most of the population. The virus turned the rest of humanity into aggressive, nocturnal mutants who are sensitive to sunlight.

By day, Neville forages for supplies and works tirelessly in his basement laboratory to find a cure for the plague using his own immune blood. By night, he barricades himself inside his fortified home, defending himself against the infected creatures that hunt him. The role is a compelling portrait of isolation and survival.

‘Enemy of the State’ (1998)

Smith stars as Robert Clayton Dean, a successful and dedicated labor lawyer whose life is suddenly turned upside down. While Christmas shopping, he unknowingly receives a videotape containing evidence of a political crime orchestrated by a corrupt official at the National Security Agency.

Dean quickly becomes the target of a ruthless team of NSA agents who use their advanced surveillance technology to dismantle his life and discredit him. Forced to go on the run, he must team up with a reclusive former intelligence operative to expose the conspiracy and clear his name.

‘Men in Black’ (1997)

Smith plays James Darrell Edwards III, a fast and agile NYPD officer who, after a bizarre encounter with an alien, is recruited into a top-secret agency. Known as the Men in Black, this organization monitors and polices extraterrestrial activity on Earth, keeping the alien presence a secret from the general public.

After his identity is erased, he becomes Agent J and is partnered with the stoic and experienced Agent K. As a rookie, J brings a fresh, humorous, and often rule-breaking perspective to the job as the two partners work to stop an intergalactic terrorist from destroying the planet.

‘King Richard’ (2021)

Smith portrays Richard Williams, the determined father of two of the most famous tennis players in history. The film tells the story of how Richard coached his two daughters, Venus and Serena, from a young age in Compton, California, following a detailed plan he created for their success in tennis.

From their childhood practices on public courts, Richard coaches, protects, and guides his daughters through the challenging world of competitive junior tennis. He faces skepticism and prejudice as he fights to ensure his girls get the opportunities they deserve while also allowing them to be kids.

‘Seven Pounds’ (2008)

In this emotional drama, Smith plays a mysterious man named Ben Thomas who is haunted by a secret tragedy from his past. He sets out on an extraordinary journey of redemption by attempting to profoundly change the lives of seven complete strangers who are all in need of help.

Posing as an IRS agent, he investigates each person to ensure they are worthy of his gifts. As he gets closer to his goal, he meets and falls in love with a woman with a serious heart condition, which complicates his carefully constructed plan. The story slowly reveals the nature of his mission and the weight of his guilt.

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)

In this television series, Smith plays a character named Will. The show’s premise follows the street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who gets into some trouble and is sent by his mother to live with his wealthy relatives in their lavish Bel-Air mansion.

His working-class background and laid-back attitude hilariously clash with the formal and affluent lifestyle of his relatives, particularly his serious and conservative cousin Carlton. The series was known for its comedy but also tackled serious issues of class, race, and family, often with powerful dramatic moments.

‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ (2006)

Smith delivers a moving performance as Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman. Gardner is a bright man in early 1980s San Francisco who invests his family’s life savings in a new medical device that proves difficult to sell. His financial struggles lead to his wife leaving him and him losing his home.

Determined to build a better life for his young son, Gardner lands a highly competitive, unpaid internship at a prestigious stock brokerage firm. The film chronicles his incredible perseverance as he faces homelessness, juggles parental responsibilities, and studies relentlessly, all while chasing his dream of a better life.

Let us know which Will Smith performance is your all-time favorite in the comments section.