Will Smith: From Fresh Prince to Bankrupt Prince?
The world has watched with intrigue as the once beloved actor and rapper Will Smith has faced several recent failures with both his career and personal life. Some have gone so far as to question if Will Smith has ruined his career.
Career Struggles
Will Smith’s recent troubles started back in 2015, when his movie Focus earned only a 46% favorable score on the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes. Since 2015, Smith’s lack of success in the box office has been remarkable, including the recent dud Gemini Man.
Here is a list of Smith’s critical failures since 2016 and the respective reviews on Rotten Tomatoes:
- Suicide Squad – 26%
- Collateral Beauty – 19%
- Bright – 27%
- Aladdin – 57%
- Gemini Man – 26%
There has also been a noticeable drop in the number of movie roles offered to Smith. When Smith first gained prominence with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he became known for his charismatic and likable personality. But Smith’s recent roles in movies such as Aladdin and Gemini Man have been widely criticized as wooden and uninspired performances.
Personal Troubles
In addition to Smith’s professional struggles, he has also faced turmoil in his personal life. This was detailed in a 2018 Vanity Fair profile, where Smith’s reputation as a likable, family-oriented figure was called into question. According to the piece, Smith was irresponsible with his money, and he owed millions of dollars in back taxes.
Smith’s marriage to esteemed actress Jada Pinkett Smith also came under scrutiny when an extended period of marital difficulties was detailed in a 2019 episode of her Facebook series, Red Table Talk.
Conclusion
While some have argued that Will Smith’s recent woes have ruined his career, Smith’s career still remains strong. While his box office success has taken a recent dip, Smith is still a beloved performer who can draw audiences in to see his movies.
Furthermore, Smith is still respected in Hollywood. He was recently awarded the prestigious Generation Award at the 2019 MTV Movie & TV Awards. And even with his personal issues, he is still a hugely respected figure in the entertainment industry.
In conclusion, while Smith has experienced challenges in recent times, it is far too early to say if Will Smith has ruined his career.
