The recent months have witnessed how Will Smith thrust himself and his family into the limelight but in the wrong direction. Roughly three months have passed since the After Earth actor shocked the world by slapping Chris Rock during the Oscars ceremony, which then became the target of media frenzy. Scandal aside, however, it is without a doubt that the American actor is one of the most talented, and successful, of his generation. By the turn of the millennium, Will Smith had already been a box office king, holding the record of 8 consecutive films to gross over $100 million between 2002 and 2008. In retrospect of his decades-long career, we take a look back at his fascinating journey.

In early 1988, hardly any mainstream music fans knew about Smith as he didn't pursue acting yet, but that changed completely in some months. By late 1988, Smith shot to fame with Parents Just Don't Understand, a huge hit that topped 20 on the chart. The song also marked his first success as a rap star, co-working with childhood friend DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The hit instantly catapulted the hip-hop duo to A-list stars in the late 1980s and 1990s. In 1989, Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Smith's nickname) received their first-ever Grammy Award for Parents Just Don't Understand. By the age of 18, Smith became a self-made millionaire and decided not to pursue university.

As Smith gradually became a household name for his musical feats, NBC invited him to star in the six-season The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a sitcom that became a 1990s cult classic.

In 1993, Smith made his career crossover into the silver screen, starring in Six Degrees of Separation. The year also marked Smith and Jazzy Jeff's final album together, Code Red.

In 1994, Smith devoted to making the fourth season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This year, his acting career was frozen with no notable roles in the motion picture.

One of the most remarkable years in Smith's glorious career. In 1995, Smith rose to the rank of superstardom with his leading role in the cop blockbuster Bad Boys alongside Martin Lawrence. The film became a huge commercial success, catapulting Smith's name to superstardom.

Another successful year for the American actor as he starred in the summer alien-invasion hit Independence Day. His comedic sense added a unique flavor to the film, confirming his prowess as a mass appeal.

In 1997, Smith continued to extend his glorious streak of blockbusters, with the alien (again) sci-fi action film, Men in Black. The same year also witnessed Smith's second marriage to actress Jada Pinkett, marking the beginning of a decades-long romance.

Smith's streak of blockbusters finally came to an end in 1999 when he starred in Wild Wild West, a sci-fi cowboy Western that became a box office flop. However, his music career shone as the track Smith made for the film was a big hit on his 1999 album, Millennium. The single became his first No.1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

In 2001, Smith starred in the biopic Ali, which told the life story of the legendary boxer Muhammed Ali. For the role, Smith transformed his physique and mentality to replicate the fighting prowess of the legend. His excellent performance garnered the hard-working actor an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and the Golden Globe Award for best actor in a motion picture drama.

In 2022 and early 2003, Smith reprised his famous roles reprising his roles in Men In Black II (2002) and Bad Boys II (2003). Although they never lived up to their predecessors, the two films garnered acceptable revenues from the box office.

In 2005, Smith was recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records for attending three movie premieres to promote his romantic box office success, Hitch.

In 2006, Smith earned his second Oscar nomination for the portrayal of a struggling single father in the drama The Pursuit of Happyness. The film also marked Smith's son, Jaden, debut in the motion picture.

After the international hit, I am Legend in 2007, Smith cemented his reputation with the dual role of actor and producer for Hancock in 2008. The superhero movie was a huge hit, grossing $228 million at the domestic box office.

Smith marked his return to the silver screen with Men in Black 3, the sequel to one of his biggest hits. However, audiences were too bored with the monotonous plot of the movie, rendering it the least successful of the trilogy.

In 2013, he starred alongside his son Jaden in the sci-fi flick After Earth. The film was a total failure, however, and signaled a downward spiral in Smith's acting career.

Smith returned to his prowess with the sports drama Concussion, where he played a doctor who's set on raising social awareness of brain trauma in NFL players. The performance earned him another Golden Globe nomination.

In 1996, Smith played Deadshot in the DC blockbuster, Suicide Squad. While neglected by avid fans of the comic, the movie still grossed $325 million domestically, making it Smith's most successful film since Independence Day 20 years before.

Will Smith played the iconic all-powerful Genie in the live-action adaptation of Disney's Aladdin. Smith seemed to regain his Midas power, as the film grossed over 1 billion USD, becoming Smith's greatest commercial hit.

In 2021, Smith still remains active in his decades-long career, playing the portrayal of Richard Williams in King Richard. He also wrote Will, a memoir that told the story of his life, and how he went from a poverty-stricken boy to one of the most powerful Hollywood stars.