Will Smith is one of the most successful and popular actors in Hollywood, known for his roles in movies like Men in Black, The Pursuit of Happyness, and Aladdin. But behind his fame and fortune, he also faced a personal tragedy: the death of his father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr.
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Who was Willard Carroll Smith Sr?
Willard Carroll Smith Sr was a U.S. Air Force veteran and refrigeration engineer who lived in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the father of four children: Will Smith II, Pamela, and twins Harry and Ellen. He was also the grandfather of Will Smith II’s three children: Will “Trey” III, Jaden, and Willow.
According to Will Smith II, his father was a tough but not tyrannical man who instilled discipline and work ethic in his children. He was an independent businessman who set up refrigeration in supermarkets and always provided for his family. He was also a steady and positive figure in his son’s life.
How did Willard Carroll Smith Sr die?
Willard Carroll Smith Sr died at the age of 78 years, on November 7, 2016, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He died after battling cancer.
The news of his death was shared by Will Smith II’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher, on Instagram. She posted a throwback photo of Will Smith II and his dad with their son, Trey, and paid tribute to him. She wrote:
“We’re gonna miss you Daddio! You lived & played by your own rules…you truly were 1 of a kind! You instilled discipline, and a work ethic that has created a legacy in your honor! (Pic left to right: Will Smith II; Will Smith III (Trey); Will Smith I (Daddio!) #RIPDaddio #donttellmetheresnothingyoucantdo #WillSMITH1”
Will Smith II did not publicly comment on his father’s death, but he reportedly once spoke about him in an interview with Essence magazine. He said:
“Dad was tough but not tyrannical. He kept me in line. He’d get this look that said, ‘One more step, Will, and it’ll get ugly.’ He was an independent businessman – he set up refrigeration in supermarkets – and he always provided for us. He’s a steady and positive figure in my life.”
How did Willard Carroll Smith Sr influence his son’s career?
Willard Carroll Smith Sr was a supportive and proud father who thanked the lord for his son’s success. He also had a good taste in movies and appreciated his son’s acting skills.
In an interview with Studio Q, he revealed his favorite movies of his son. He said:
“Surprisingly, ‘Six Degrees of Separation,’ because that was his first movie that he really acted. That was his first real acting role. That’s still my favorite. I guess next in line would be ‘Enemy of the State.’”
Will Smith II also credited his father for inspiring him to pursue his dreams and overcome his fears. In a speech at the 2005 NAACP Image Awards, he said:
“My father was in the Air Force, and he was a refrigeration and air-conditioning man. One summer, he decided he was going to build a new wall in the front of our house. He tore down the old wall, and he put up the new wall. It took him all summer. I remember saying to him, ‘Daddy, why are you doing this?’ He looked at me and he said, ‘Son, don’t ever tell me there’s something that you can’t do.’”
Will Smith II also revealed that his father’s illness motivated him to take on the role of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a forensic pathologist who exposed the dangers of concussions in football, in the 2015 movie Concussion. He said:
“I’m a football dad. So part of the thing that attracted me to this story was that I didn’t know. I didn’t know when I was sitting on the sidelines with my son, Trey, and I’m yelling at him, ‘Stop crying. Get back in the game.’ I didn’t know. And I think that the film has a potential to really be paradigm-shifting. It’s something that I’m excited to deliver to the world. It was a beautiful thing to get with Bennet and tell his story. My father was in the Air Force, and he just found out last week that he has cancer. So the idea of being able to tell the truth and deliver the truth to people at a time when they absolutely need it, it was a beautiful thing to be a part of.”
Conclusion
Willard Carroll Smith Sr was more than just the father of a famous actor. He was a man who lived by his own rules, who worked hard and loved his family, and who inspired his son to achieve greatness. He was a man who fought cancer with courage and dignity, and who left behind a legacy of honor. He was a man who will be missed by many, but never forgotten.
