WILL SMITH plays Nicky in Focus (February 27, 2015)
A two-time Academy Award nominee, Will Smith has enjoyed unprecedented success in a career encompassing films, television, and multi-platinum records.
Oscar Nominations
For his memorable portrayal of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s “Ali,” he received his first Academy Award nomination, which was followed by his second nomination for the true-life drama “The Pursuit of Happyness.”
Smith is currently preparing for his role as Deadshot in David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad,” based on the DC Comics’ team of super villains, and will soon be seen in Peter Landesman’s “Concussion” as forensic neuropathologist Dr. Bennett Omalu, who made the first discovery of football-related brain trauma in a pro player and brought awareness to the public. “Concussion” also stars Alec Baldwin, Luke Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Arliss Howard, Paul Reiser, with David Morse and Albert Brooks, and is produced by Ridley Scott, Giannina Facio, David Wolthoff, Larry Shuman and Elizabeth Cantillon.
Smith was previously seen starring in “Men in Black 3,” directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. “Men in Black 3” grossed over $624 million worldwide. Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment’s big screen musical “Annie,” starring Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie, Jamie Foxx as Benjamin Stacks and Cameron Diaz as Ms. Hannigan, was released this past December. Overbrook also recently produced “After Earth,” in which Smith co-stars with Jaden Smith and is directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
His extraordinary list of blockbusters includes “I Am Legend” and “Hancock.” He also thrilled audiences in huge hits such as “I, Robot,” “Independence Day,” “Men in Black” and “Men in Black II.” He does not limit his work to acting and, along with partner James Lassiter of Overbrook Entertainment, he produced, among others, “Hitch,” “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “The Secret Life of Bees,” “Seven Pounds,” “Lakeview Terrace” and “The Human Contract,” which marked the feature directorial debut of Jada Pinkett Smith. Overbrook’s most recent success was “The Karate Kid,” which was released June 11, 2010 and grossed over $343 million worldwide.
Smith won four esteemed titles at the 11th World Music Awards in Monte Carlo and an NAACP Image Award for Best Actor for his performance in “Seven Pounds” in 2009. Smith has also earned several Kids’ Choice Awards for movies such as “Independence Day,” “Wild Wild West,” “Shark Tale,” “Hitch,” and “Hancock.” Smith received the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989, for “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” and has also won three additional Grammys for “Summertime,” “Men In Black” and “Getting Jiggy Wit It.”
Smith has made it a mission to help others through his humanitarian efforts. Smith has focused his efforts to make a difference through the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation, which Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith founded in 1996.
Among his many accomplishments, Smith was honored by the Museum of the Moving Image in 2006 and received the Simon Wiesenthal Humanitarian Award in 2009. He was given the prestigious Simon Wiesenthal award based on his commitment to education, cultural diversity, and social responsibility.
Smith serves as an ambassador for Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Foundation, the African response to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. In 2008, Smith became a National Board Member for Malaria No More, a foundation with a simple goal: to end malaria deaths everywhere. Smith has also long been active in the Make-A-Wish campaign, granting wishes and supporting the foundation’s mission to better the lives of children with life-threatening conditions for over 20 years.
