Big Willie Style | The Museum of Moving Image Salutes Will Smith

This Friday night on Bravo Network, The Museum of Moving Image will salute Will Smith (prior to this salute, Bravo will also show a repeat of Smith on “Inside The Actor’s Studio.”)

To say I’m proud of Smith would be an understatement. I’ve watched not only his meteoric rise, but also the incredible way that he handles himself and the choices that he makes with career. His career began with him as The Fresh Prince making songs as Parents Don’t Understand and I Can Beat Mike Tyson. Legend has it that after his first hit; he made $1 million and lost it only to regain it again.

Quincy Jones wanted Smith for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the series that made him a superstar. He transitioned nicely from TV cutup to Hollywood A-lister commanding $20 million per film. Smith is well worth his price tag with his films gross $1.9 billion at the box office, domestically and ten $100 million films. To put those numbers into context, Eddie Murphy’s career began over ten years before Smith’s and his films have grossed $2.9 billion and he has eleven $100 million films.

Smith has produced several other films including last year’s ATL and The Pursuit of Happyness that show his business acumen and the ability to provide opportunities for others. He currently has two films in production (Tonight, He Comes and I Am Legend) and an astounding ten films in development – each one he is either attached to as an executive producer or producer.

Congratulations to Smith who continues to show his peers how he continues to do it Big Willie Style!