Today, Will Smith is recognized as an Academy Award-winning movie star, but it’s important not to forget his acting career started with “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” on NBC. Through working on this beloved sitcom (now available for streaming with a Max subscription), Smith got the chance to dip his toes into the craft. At first, he was quite inexperienced, and one of the series’ producers noticed this. To help him improve, the producer decided to do something that Smith reportedly wasn’t fond of.
As a movie critic, I stepped into the role of showrunner for “The Fresh Prince” during its fourth season, debuting in the autumn of 1993. The departure of the original Aunt Viv actress, Janet Hubert, the year prior necessitated significant changes within the show.
My tenure with the series extended through Season 5, and I found myself navigating a multifaceted relationship with our charismatic lead actor. Reflecting on those days, I can now acknowledge that I immediately sensed Will Smith’s star potential. However, I also recognized certain work habits of his that needed refinement.
In my review, I must say that the two seasons I was involved with were nothing short of intriguing. When I stepped into the director’s chair, I found myself dealing with someone who had his own unique approach to filmmaking, which I acknowledged and respected. However, I made it clear that I wasn’t cut from the same cloth.
Over time, I believe he came to appreciate my distinct style. During our conversations, I pointed out certain habits he had, such as telegraphing jokes by physically interacting with actors before the punchline was delivered. I explained that this was a sign of insecurity and suggested he reconsider his approach for a more organic and effective performance. These were just some of the discussions we engaged in, aiming to improve the quality of our work together.
Over time, it’s been noted that Will Smith faced a learning challenge when he joined the popular NBC sitcom. It is said that during filming, he would sometimes stumble by repeating his co-star’s lines as a way to memorize his own, causing a bit of confusion on set (a habit that reportedly persists in him today, according to John Salley from “Bad Boys”). Additionally, Gary H. Miller helped refine Smith’s acting abilities by using classic TV shows as a learning tool.
As a film aficionado, I had him settle down for an old-time favorite: You’ll Never Get Rich starring Phil Silvers as Sergeant Bilko. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about it, but I persisted. “Watch this,” I urged, “Watch how this man steers the episode, pulling everyone along like a train. Even with the weakest of storylines, you can’t help but be taken for a ride and reach the end. That’s the kind of dynamism we need in just twenty-two minutes.” I explained, because dragging out time in a twenty-two minute show is lethal.
Among TV shows that altered their titles after the pilot, “You’ll Never Get Rich” or “The Phil Silvers Show” is often hailed as one of the best-ever made sitcoms. Although it might appear outdated to some viewers today, Silvers was undeniably a comedic virtuoso who managed to maintain high spirits throughout each episode. It comes as no surprise that Gary H. Miller encouraged Will Smith to watch those timeless re-runs.
On Max, you can enjoy all six seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for an endless supply of laughter! If you prefer the Ads plan, it’ll set you back $9.99 a month. And if you opt for a yearly subscription, you could save up to 20%! Check out the deal here.
From the latter part of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series, it seems that the future Academy Award winner gleaned valuable insights, as his acting was flawlessly executed. He also benefited from working alongside talented co-stars such as James Avery, who played Uncle Phil, a truly remarkable actor we lost too soon. Not long ago, Will Smith mentioned learning from Alfonso Ribeiro, the charismatic actor known for his portrayal of Carlton Banks. It takes a gifted team to make a sitcom thrive, and I’m grateful that the cast and crew assisted the lead in finding his bearings.
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2025-05-01 15:08