He’s the actor who made a big splash with his breakout role in the television series Bel-Air, portraying a reimagined version of the character famously played by Will Smith. This role actually marked his very first onscreen performance, which is pretty impressive when you think about it. Before all the fame and red carpets, he was just a student working hard toward his dreams. He graduated in 2020 from the University of Fine Arts in Philadelphia, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre—a solid foundation that clearly paid off.
Growing up, the actor was no stranger to the original show that inspired the reboot. His family owned the complete six-season box set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, so the legacy was already close to home. In fact, it was his father who nudged him to go for the audition when the opportunity came up. That little push turned out to be a major turning point. Now, as the actor continues to rise in Hollywood, it’s clear that his journey—from stage training to stepping into such iconic shoes—was anything but accidental.
Back in August 2021, Peacock dropped a heartfelt video showing the emotional moment Will Smith told him he’d be stepping into his shoes for the Bel-Air reboot. It was a surreal experience for him, especially when that same clip started making waves online. Then came another memorable highlight—during a lively appearance on Kelly Clarkson’s talk show, he surprised everyone by belting out the classic Bel-Air theme song. Fans couldn’t get enough of it, and Will really brought the energy. It’s moments like these that remind you how full circle life can be, with Will embracing the legacy while putting his own stamp on it.