Jimmy Fallon Just Did the Unthinkable, See Will Smith Struggle With a Giant Snake!
Will Smith recently appeared on The Tonight Show to promote his new National Geographic adventure series, Pole to Pole with Will Smith, currently streaming on Disney+. The show features Smith traveling to extreme global locations, but it was a surprise segment involving a live snake in the studio that truly stole the spotlight.
During the interview, Smith discussed the intense conditions he faced while filming, including a trip to the Amazon where he worked alongside field researchers. He described an unusual experience involving “milking” a tarantula for its venom, an activity he jokingly admitted neither he nor the spider enjoyed. The conversation then shifted toward his encounter with a massive anaconda, which led Jimmy Fallon to sense a unique opportunity.
Fallon challenged the actor to confront his fears by holding a boa constrictor right there in the studio. When Smith tried to answer hypothetically, Fallon quickly reminded him that we don’t live in hypotheticals; we live in reality. Within moments, a large snake was brought onto the set, and a thirty-second timer was started.
The actor struggled to maintain his trademark cool as the powerful reptile began wrapping itself around his shoulders. It’s moving… hey, Smith repeated while urging the audience to keep their cheers down so as not to agitate the animal. He noted that the snake felt like it was all muscle and admitted he could feel the animal tightening its grip on his shoulder during the tense countdown.
Jimmy challenges Will Smith to hold a boa constrictor for 30 seconds to overcome his fear of snakes 😳 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/nwVvec1Dme
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) January 21, 2026
Despite his clear discomfort and the shock of the moment, Smith managed to complete the full thirty seconds. When the timer finally hit zero, the studio audience erupted in applause as the actor let out a visible sigh of relief. He joked that the snake clearly didn’t like his shirt, a comment that helped break the tension of the heart-pounding stunt.
Beyond his close encounter with the snake, Smith shared harrowing stories from his global travels for the docuseries. He recalled enduring temperatures of minus thirty-seven degrees at the South Pole and a terrifying moment while ice-diving at the North Pole. During that dive, he struck his head against the solid ice and had to find his way back to the surface hole by pulling himself along a safety line.
Currently, Will Smith is enjoying a major career resurgence with several high-profile projects on the horizon for 2026. He is officially moving forward with the long-awaited sequel I Am Legend 2, which will star Michael B. Jordan and follow the original film’s alternate ending. Additionally, Smith is set to star in the thriller Fast & Loose, playing a crime boss dealing with amnesia.
The actor has also been making headlines in his personal life, recently appearing at Paris Fashion Week alongside Jada Pinkett Smith to support their son Jaden’s new creative venture.
Between his television adventures and big-screen returns, Smith remains one of the most talked-about figures in entertainment. His appearance on The Tonight Show serves as a reminder that even for a world traveler, some of the biggest surprises happen when the cameras are rolling.
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