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This is a list of characters on the television series The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air . The Bel Air family Will Smith
William "Will" Smith (played by Will Smith ) was born 1975 in West Philadelphia . He ran into trouble while playing Basketball behind his school with his friends, when the ball bounced off the rim and hit a gangster named Omar in the head. Following a beating, Will returned home to his mother, who insisted that he move to Bel-Air to live with his uncle for protection and a good education. Not knowing who his biological father is, Will gradually turns to Uncle Phil as a moral compass, and the Banks family begrudgingly starts to think of Will as a brother or son. Will's story was loosely based on Will Smith's personality as an adolescent. He is something of a schemer and womanizer, frequently hatching plots to get rich quick, seduce a girl, and have fun despite the wishes of his strict Uncle Phil. Well-meaning but impulsive, street-smart but not very wise, most plot lines hinge on the horrendous consequences of Will's actions. However, a big heart and guilty conscience usually ensure that Will does the right thing in the end. He has a sly sense of humor, and frequently jokes about Philip's weight, Carlton's height, Hilary's Materialism , and Ashley's schoolgirl crushes. Having grown up in the inner city, Will is unaccustomed to the Banks' affluence, and sometimes looks down on them for it, especially with Carlton, whom he sees as less than "black." Despite their differences, Will grows extremely close to the Banks family, even turning down his mother when she offers to move back in with her again in Philly. During one of Will's trips back to his old neighborhood, he confronts Omar to restore his damaged reputation. When Will challenges him, he is startled when Omar refuses to fight and reveals that he has reformed. Omar dismisses Will, and tells him he has "a lot to learn" and needs to "grow up." Will gradually realizes that his reputation is not important, and returns to Bel-Air. At the conclusion of the series, he remains in Los Angeles to continue his education. First Line in show: "Back to Life. Back to Reality." Last Line in show: "I'm definitely going to miss you, C." ('C' refers to Carlton) Philip Banks
Philip Banks (played by James Avery ) was born on January 30 , 1946 in Yamacraw, North Carolina . He was referred to by his parents as "Zeke." At the beginning of the series, Philip is a Lawyer with the firm of Firth, Wynn and Meyer, but in the third season is appointed to the Judiciary ; he wins after his ex-mentor, Judge Robertson, against whom Philip had earlier run an ugly and unsuccessful campaign, dies suddenly. Philip later considers making a deeper foray into politics, but decides against it when his wife disapproves (and threatened to divorce him when he secretly decides to run). Philip is a somewhat strict and gruff man, but he does have a softer side, and is an upstanding citizen. Nonetheless, his anger can get him into trouble at times, especially when he feels his image is being besmirched. Additionally, Philip can be financially selfish. He pays Geoffrey a salary that so low that Geoffrey quits and only returns when Philip agrees to increase his salary and give him more job benefits. Similarly, while he always spoils Hilary, Philip refuses to increase the allowances of his children. He also tends to be quite cheap, as evidenced by traveling to Utah by Coach instead of First Class . However, despite his obvious acts of selfishness, Philip is a very caring and loving father. He makes sure that he does what is best for all his children, including Will. Although Will is only related to Phillip by marriage, he very much cares for him as his own son. Throughout the series, Phillip has been there for his children in their time of need. If anything, he will go out of his way to make sure his children become something of themselves. Phillip was raised on a farm in North Carolina, moved to Baltimore at age 16, went to Princeton University on a scholarship, and in the 1960s , became an activist for the Civil Rights movement. He was present at the riots in Selma in 1965 , and in the pilot episode also mentions he once heard Malcolm X speak. In 1963 , he was awarded a scholarship to study at Princeton University, after which he went to Harvard Law School . In 1975 , Philip was put on the board of the NAACP and was later awarded the Urban Spirit Award for his work in promoting civil rights. After meeting his future wife Vivian, he proposed to her on live television during an episode of '' Soul Train ''. In an episode guest starring Hugh Hefner and his mansion, Hef mentions to Philip that he is always "happy to talk to my longtime subscribers", much to Will's amusement. First line in show: "It is amazing; you certainly have grown, Will." Last line in show: "Sunday." Vivian Banks
Professor Vivian Banks, born 1951 , was portrayed by Janet Hubert-Whitten from Seasons 1 to 3, and was recast with Daphne Maxwell Reid in Season 4. This change of casting causes Jazz to comment on the change of her appearance in the new season. She has been a professor of Black History and Literature at an undisclosed university since 1971 , and in one early episode takes a temporary job as a teacher for a unit in Black History at Bel-Air Academy, the upscale preparatory High School attended by Will and Carlton. She has three sisters: Helen, Janice, and Will's mother Vy. Vivian's personality and role in the show changes over the run of the series. During the Janet Hubert-Whitten years, she is a no-nonsense, forthright, and career-minded woman who plays a part in the show equal to her husband Philip. After Reid took the part in 1993 and baby Nicky was added to the cast, the writers toned down Vivian's former persona and portrayed her as a homemaker who showed reluctance toward ambitious career moves, such as Philip's political aspirations. First line in show: "Willie!" Last line in show: "You're going to love the Plaza!" Hilary Banks
Hilary Banks (played by Karyn Parsons ), born 1969 , is Will's attractive, but dull-witted, eldest cousin, known for her notable lack of intelligence, her pretentious attitude, and for being "spoiled." In earlier seasons, Hilary's snobbishness is emphasized, as well as her shallow trendy environmental activism. During this time, she often claimed to hobnob with Celebrities and loves being mistaken by people for Whitney Houston . Later on, Hilary is written as a self-centered airhead; she looks down on Will's upbringing and is obsessed with shopping and money. However, despite her apparent shallow personality, she has a strong sense of integrity and shows obvious affection to her family members. Will gets along with her better than with Carlton. Her funniest lines betray her outlandish ignorance. During the series, Hilary attends and drops out of UCLA , after which she begins a long streak of luck that eventually lands her a nationally-televised daytime talk show titled ''Hilary''. It starts when she becomes a weather reporter at a local TV Station , where she meets and falls in love with News Anchor Trevor Newsworthy (portrayed by Brian Stokes Mitchell ). However, Trevor dies in a Bungee Jumping accident while proposing marriage, part of an ill-conceived live Publicity Stunt . At the conclusion of the series, Hilary's talk show moves to New York City , as does most of the rest of the Banks family. First line in show: "Daddy, I need $300." Last line in show: "Geoffrey, could you carry my things? Just kidding." Carlton Banks
Carlton Banks (played by Alfonso Ribeiro ), born 1975 , is Will's pedantic and Preppy cousin. Carlton is a firmly Conservative Republican , and proves both friend and foe for Will. Although Carlton and Will often trade insults, Carlton obviously cares about Will by referring to him as "the brother I've always wanted." His role model is talk show host Bryant Gumbel , and his favorite musician is Tom Jones . His favorite actor is William Shatner , whom he annoys by making lame '' Star Trek '' jokes. Carlton also idolizes Macauley Culkin , whom he once dressed up as for Halloween . Carlton is similar to '' problem, and loses all of his money in any situation where gambling is involved. He usually declares that gambling is "evil" right before he goes all in and loses his money. In the sixth and last season, Carlton finally gains transfer admission to Princeton and leaves for the East Coast in the series finale. Despite his geeky persona, he is surprisingly well-built, causing comment among Ashley's friends and the audience in particular when he appears in swim wear. A Running Gag is Carlton continuously being slapped across the head by various characters, usually due to making comments that are ridiculously self-centered (in second half of the show, for example, he would often make humorous comments about gaining his father's inheritance) or portray ignorance of lives other than his own. First line in show: "How's it going there Will?" Last line in show: "Hey, who turned out all the lights!?!? Where is everybody!?!?" (Will turned off the lights to the house while Carlton was using the bathroom.) "Carlton Banks" is also the name of a song by popular synth-core band Castra. Ashley Banks
Ashley Banks (played by . In the series finale, Ashley decides to attend a performing arts school in New York City . As Hilary is moving to New York with her talk show, the two sisters decide to live together and both are extremely excited about the whole idea. First line in show: "Hi Mom! Hi Dad!" Last line in show: "I love you, Will." Nicky Banks Nicholas "Nicky" Banks (played by Ross Bagley from Season 5 onward) is born to Philip and Vivian in early 1993 , towards the end of the third season. The character was primarily used as a Plot Device , adding motivation for other characters, comic relief, or an emotional punch to the show's storylines. As is common in television series, especially Soap Operas , Nicky grows from newborn infant to preschooler between seasons, and confused characters on the show actually question how this came to be. This "spurt" begins in the fifth season. Nicky's full name is Nicholas Andrew Michael Shawn Nathan Wanya Banks. His last four middle names are the names of the members of Boyz II Men ; he was middle-named this way after they performed at his christening. First line in show: "It's the same mom." (when Jazz asked who was playing the mom that season) Last line in show: "Never give Dad any bad news when he's hungry." Geoffrey Butler
Geoffrey Butler (played by Joseph Marcell ) serves as the Banks family's British Butler . In addition to four years at Oxford University and a long career working for British aristocrats, Geoffrey was an Olympic runner several years before being hired by the Banks family, but fled his home country in shame after cheating in a race and being slapped by the Queen Of England . In the 1970s , he was a butler for the band Led Zeppelin . In the early '80s , Geoffrey was sparring butler for Chuck Norris . Geoffrey always refers to Will as "Master William", and is the voice of caustic humor on the show, often commenting on Philip's weight, his own low pay, his lack of a social or romantic life, or the overall laziness of the family. Ironically, although a stickler for tradition, he incorrectly tells Will it is proper to refer to him by his first name. He becomes the godfather of Nicky Banks in the fourth season. Midway into the sixth season, Geoffrey discovers he has a son he never knew about, named Frederick and born to an ex-wife. During the same episode, it is also revealed that his middle name is "Barbara", which he explains is a "family name." Geoffrey leaves to be with his son in London in the series finale. However, in the fourth season episode "'Twas the Night Before Christening", a sequence set in the year 1998 portrays Geoffrey as still being the Banks family's butler. First line in show: "I am NOT your Uncle Philip." Last line in show: "Goodbye, Will." Recurring characters Jazz
Jazz was portrayed by Will Smith 's musical partner Jeffrey A. Townes, popularly known as D.J. Jazzy Jeff . Jazz is Will's ill-mannered, not-so-bright best friend who lives in the inner-city community of Compton, California . He has a long crush on Hilary, and she occasionally falls for him. Jazz eventually marries a prison inmate named Jewel who had appeared on '' COPS '', but divorces her shortly afterward, realizing he knows nothing about her and that her real name isn't even Jewel (it is Hortense). Jazz is almost completely tactless, and succeeds in insulting or irritating Philip almost every time they are together. He knows how to play the drums very well, and once gave Ashley a lesson. In a recurring gag throughout the series, Philip usually ends up literally throwing Jazz out of the house. Notice that when Jazz is thrown out of the house, he is usually wearing the same clothes. This is because Warner Bros. decided to use the same clip over and over instead of throwing him out each time. Ironically, the same scene of Jazz getting thrown out is constantly reused, making for some continuity mistakes, since weather or time of day is often a factor. Will was once on the receiving end of this punishment after making egregious changes to Uncle Phil's political campaign tape. During a Dream Sequence , Jazz got revenge by throwing Philip out instead. There was also an instance where Jazz was standing outside of the house, taunting Philip because he was already standing outside; as a result, Philip throws him ''inside'' the house. In another episode, Jazz was thrown out along with a cardboard cutout of Bill Cosby that he was lugging around. Jazz's last appearance was in the first part of the Series Finale , where it was Uncle Phil's 50th birthday. He gave Philip his grandmother's teeth as a gift; the reason for this was that Jazz thought Philip was getting old. But Phillip was once again angry and threw Jazz out of the house. Jazz never made an appearance again. After selling the house and Will found an apartment, Phillip was the only person to mention his name when asking when "he was coming by" to help Will pack, to which Will responded, "As soon as you leave", which technically did not surprise Philip because he felt Jazz made a smart decision but he wished Jazz luck in the future. Jazz's first line was "You got that right." His last lines were "Ahh!" from being thrown out of the house. Lou Smith Lou Smith (played by Ben Vereen ) was a one-time character, appearing only in the episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse." He is Will's biological father, and a Trucker . Lou abandoned his family when Will was 4 years old, and explains his motives for leaving by saying he "felt trapped." Lou drops in unannounced at the Peacock cafe where Will and Carlton work. Will invites Lou to the Banks' residence, but when he arrives, he is unwelcome, and Philip says some pretty insulting things to him; Vivian and Phillip want nothing to do with him. Will and his father go to a carnival where Lou explains to him he wasn't ready to be a father. When they return to the house, Lou announces that Will is joining him for the summer on a statewide trip in Lou's truck. Philip objects to this because he knows Lou will let Will down again. After Lou leaves the mansion to go to the pool house, Will and Philip get into a heated argument that ended with Will screaming at Phil, "You're not my father!" before storming out. Philip is hurt and begins wondering if he is a good father to his other kids. He apologizes to Will the next day and wishes him good luck. After a while, the family is still waiting for Lou to return. Lou eventually shows up, claiming them he has found a "big" new job that will not afford enough space for Will. Before she leaves, Vivian tells Lou, "If you walk out Will's life now, don't you ever come back." Philip then challenges Lou, telling him that now he's back, he has a responsibility to Will, and explains that being there for his family is what a man does. Lou intends to leave without telling Will and let Philip handle it. When Philip declines, Will walks in before Lou can leave. Lou tells Will that he can't take him along because of his job, and promises to call him "next week." Will knows Lou has bailed on him again, and accepts the fact he will get through life without him. He breaks down and starts crying, asking Philip why his father doesn't want him. The two embrace, and Will accepts Philip as the father he never had. First Line: "No, I'm fine, son." Last line: "It was great seeing you, son." Vy Smith-Wilkes Viola "Vy" Smith-Wilkes, portrayed by Vernee Watson-Johnson , is Will's hard-headed (according to Vivian) mother, and Vivian's oldest sister. It was her idea that Will should go to Bel-Air to get a good education and avoid a life of violence in the West Philadelphia ghetto. Vy eventually marries Lisa Wilkes' father after Will and Lisa call off their second wedding attempt. Her maiden name and married name were the same, as Will's father was named Lou Smith. Her last appearance was in "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll." Vivian's maiden name is revealed to be Smith on several occasions, which allows the audience to assume that Vy's surname is also Smith. However, Will's father's surname is also revealed to be Smith in some episodes, meaning that Vy's maiden and married name were both Smith. Helen Smith Helen Smith, portrayed by Jenifer Lewis , is Vivian's loud-mouthed older sister. She has frequent marriage difficulties with her husband Lester, whom she finally divorces, leaving him with custody over their son. Janice Smith Janice Smith, played by Charlayne Woodard, is the youngest of the Smith sisters, flighty according to Vivian, and marries a white man named Frank, a marriage older sister Vy originally objects to. She also appears in the series with a baby son. Hattie Banks
Hattie Banks, played by Virginia Capers {Link without Title} , is Philip's mother, having appeared in six episodes over the series' run. She forms a close affinity with Will and even aids him in his disobedience, much to Philip's irritation. Beulah Lisa Wilkes Lisa Wilkes, portrayed by Nia Long , was introduced in later seasons as the girlfriend who tames Will into forsaking his womanizing ways. The two fall deeply in love and are engaged to be married, going so far as the ceremonies twice, but never actually tie the knot. The first time they elope to Las Vegas and try a '' Shaft ''-themed wedding, but walk out on the ceremony after being interrupted so many times during the ceremony. The second time Lisa leaves Will at the altar, just as they are about to say "I do" in front of all their friends and family, because she is having doubts. We can assume they broke up because they became step-siblings, due to their parents' marriage, as she is never seen again. Lisa's father was memorably played by veteran actor John Amos . When Lisa and Will cut their second wedding short, he and Will's mother decide not to let the ceremony go to waste; they get married right then and there, making Lisa Will's stepsister. Jackie Ames Jackie Ames was portrayed by Tyra Banks in the fourth season in only a few episodes. As manager of The Peacock, Jackie is the object of Will's affection and frequent come-ons, but continually spurns his advances, deeming him too immature. The two were old childhood friends from Philadelphia , but she feels Will hasn't grown up since those days. There are certain innuendos indicating she still has feelings for Will. In the episode in which Carlton loses his virginity, Will mentions that he lost his own just before he left Philadelphia; since Jackie had already mentioned how she and Will had spent one night together before he left for Bel-Air , it is possible Jackie was the first woman Will slept with. Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum Kellogg Lieberbaum (played by Michael Weiner ) was a classmate and friend of Will and Carlton at Bel-Air Academy,. Most of his appearances were in the first season, but he makes two appearances in the second season as well. As a pun on Kellogg's Corn Flakes , he is nicknamed "Cornflake" by Will. Much of the humor of his character comes from the dissonance of an unassuming Jewish Preppie using such phrases as "She is one fly sister" and "Say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!" Edward "Ned" Fellows III Will and Carlton's English teacher at Bel-Air Academy. Tyriq "Ty" Johnson One of Will's best friends who appeared in five episodes. Ty has mentioned that he has been left back in the 10th grade several times. He works at Ernesto's Pizza. Trevor Collins/Newsworthy Trevor was Hilary's fiancé and co-worker a the television station at which they both worked. He was originally referred to as "Trevor Collins", but later episodes established his surname as "Newsworthy." He eventually proposes to Hilary, but she insists that he officially proposes on live television later that day. Trevor then proposes on television while Bungee Jumping , and dies during this proposal to Hilary when something goes wrong with the jump and he hits the ground. Hilary mourns his death by bringing back what she presumes to be Trevor's ashes in an urn, but when she came back from the funeral, Will told her that Trevor was not cremated, and that she grabbed a stranger's urn. His death continues to haunt Hilary for the next few episodes, and his memory, unlike almost everything else, never leaves her mind. Celebrity Appearances The show had many guest appearances by celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey , Donald Trump , Vanessa Williams , D. L. Hughley , Naomi Campbell , Quincy Jones , Isiah Thomas , Evander Holyfield , Jay Leno , Don Cornelius , William Shatner , Lela Rochon , Larenz Tate , Garcelle Beauvais , Sean Forsyth, Don Cheadle , Vivica A. Fox , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Tom Jones , Richard Roundtree , Hank Azaria , Wayne Newton , Bo Jackson , Boyz II Men , Doctor Dre , Pat Morita , Bernie Kopell , Lark Voorhies , Duane Martin , Chi McBride , George Wallace , John Witherspoon , Zachery Ty Bryan , Jaleel White , B.B. King , Tevin Campbell , Al B. Sure! , Dick Clark , Robin Givens , Shavar Ross , Brad Garrett , Robert Guillaume , Pam Grier , Regis Philbin , Jasmine Guy , Ken Griffey, Jr. , Chris Rock , Malcolm Jamal-Warner , Hugh Hefner , Kathy Griffin , Milton Berle , Zsa Zsa Gabor , Dante Basco , Joan Van Ark , Riddick Bowe and Issac Hayes . The series finale featured Conrad Bain and Gary Coleman reprising their roles from '' Diff'rent Strokes '', as well as Sherman Hemsley , Isabel Sanford , and Marla Gibbs reprising their roles from '' The Jeffersons '', as potential buyers of the Banks' house. Hemsley had also previously played the recurring role of Judge Robertson. Hemsley and Sanford actually appeared as George and Louise "Weezy" Jefferson in the fifth season episode "Will is From Mars..." In that episode, the Jeffersons get into a foam-bat fight with Will and Lisa; toward the end of the episode, a limping Will and Lisa tell Uncle Phil they beat up an old couple with bats, and that the couple had it coming. In this episode, we also learn that George referred to his wife as "Weezy" because of her Asthma , which she hates. |
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