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Entertainment & Arts

Will Smith: Life in pictures

Though many stars claim they were once nerds, outcasts, or ugly ducklings, Will Smith, born Willard Carroll Smith Jr., was cool from the start -- so cool, in fact, that his nickname was "Prince." Click through for a look at some moments from Smith's life and career.

Though many stars claim they were once nerds, outcasts, or ugly ducklings, Will Smith, born Willard Carroll Smith Jr., was cool from the start -- so cool, in fact, that his nickname was “Prince.” Click through for a look at some moments from Smith’s life and career.

  (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)

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Click through for a look at some moments from Will Smith’s life and career.

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Smith launched his career as one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince with childhood friend Jeff Townes. They won the first rap performance Grammy Award awarded in 1989 for “Parents Just Don’t Understand.”  (Tammy Lechner / Los Angeles Times)

Friendship with Tom Cruise

Smith once discussed his unique bond with Cruise in Men’s Vogue, saying: “We push one another to be better. We both homeschool our children, and there’s a comprehension of what each of us goes through that everybody else can’t understand.”  (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)

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