The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

About The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his wealthy aunt and uncle in their Bel-Air mansion after getting into a fight in his hometown. In the series, his lifestyle often clashes with the lifestyle of his relatives in Bel Air.

Making / Production

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was produced by Quincy Jones and Benny Medina, with Andy & Susan Borowitz as creators and writers. It was shot in a multi-camera setup before a live studio audience.

Actors

• Will Smith as The Fresh Prince. Smith played a street-savvy teen from Philadelphia who navigates life in the upper-class neighborhood of Bel Air.
• James Avery as Uncle Phil. Avery played a stern but lovable judge who extends a helping hand to his nephew from Philadelphia.
• Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks. Ribeiro played Will's preppy, and often naive, cousin who becomes a frequent victim of Will's pranks.
• Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks. Parsons played Will's materialistic female cousin.
• Tatyana M. Ali as Ashley Banks. Ali played will’s younger cousin, who looks up to him and often pulls herself into his shenanigans.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The show's theme song "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", was performed by Will Smith himself.
• The house used in the show for exterior shots isn't actually in Bel Air. It is located in the nearby neighborhood of Brentwood.
• During the show's run, Will Smith's popularity as a rapper skyrocketed.

Awards

The show won several awards during its run. Notably, Will Smith was nominated for two Golden Globe awards for his portrayal of the loveable Fresh Prince.

Quotes

• "I make this look good." - Will Smith
• "It's not unusual to be loved by anyone." - Carlton Banks

Music, Soundtrack

• The theme song "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" was written and performed by Will Smith.
• The show often featured contemporary R&B, pop, and hip-hop music.