Everyone has their own motives for choosing a profession, but some are stranger than others. Will Smith, one of the world’s most bankable actors, had an unusual motivation for becoming an actor.
Smith was apparently inspired to become famous after his first lover cheated on him. And, while it’s hardly the healthiest motive to want success, it’s worked for Smith.
Will Smith is one of the biggest actors in the world.
Smith is one of the most successful actors in film history. He has a net worth of approximately $350 million after appearing in hit films such as Men in Black, Independence Day, and Alladin. According to Forbes, his films have grossed over $3.5 billion in total, with Alladin alone grossing over $1 billion.
Every summer in the 2000s, it was difficult not to see Smith’s face in a blockbuster picture. Although he dazzled audiences with more mainstream films early in his career, he shifted his focus to deeper, more complex roles as his career progressed. Films like Seven Pounds, The Pursuit of Happiness, and Concussion showcased Smith’s versatility as an actor.
Smith reprises his role as Mike Lowry, a Miami police officer, opposite Martin Lawrence in his most recent picture, Bad Boys for Life. According to Box Office Mojo, Smith’s latest film, Bad Boys for Life, grossed over $426 million.
Will Smith’s cheating ex-girlfriend inspired him to become a famous actor
While many actors claim to have chosen their profession because they enjoy the craft, Smith had a different motivation. In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he said that his passion for acting stemmed from adolescent heartbreak.
“When I was 15 years old, my first girlfriend cheated on me,” Smith said. “And I remember making a decision that nobody would ever cheat on me again. And the way I was gonna do that was by being the biggest actor on Earth.”
Smith knows that his motives and reasoning for becoming an actor are illogical. In reality, his feelings are more about relying on success to validate himself than about his ex-girlfriend.
“So, there’s been this weird psychology that I’ve always felt, like, if my movies are number one, my life is gonna work out great.”
Will Smith is happily married today.
Despite the fact that an unfaithful girlfriend helped launch his career, Smith has already moved on. He is now married to Jada Pinkett-Smith, whom he has been married to since 1997. Jaden and Willow Smith, the couple’s children, are also actors and musicians.
Jada Pinkett Smith admitted to having an “entanglement” with August Alsina earlier this year, which sparked some controversy. However, they revealed during a Red Table Talk interview that Alsina and Pinkett-Smith’s connection occurred when she and Will were separated.
