Will Smith Sr., the father of actor Will Smith, died Nov. 7, according to his son’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher. Willard Carroll Smith Sr. was a refrigeration engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran who lived in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to his famous son, he had three other children: Pamela and twins Harry and Ellen, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by Smith II’s three children, Will “Trey” III, Jaden, and Willow. In an interview with Studio Q, Smith Sr. thanked the lord for his son’s success. Asked what his favorite of Smith II’s movies was, 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 described his father in an interview with Essence magazine: “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.”
Will Smith Sr., the father of actor Will Smith, died Nov. 7, according to his son’s ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher.
Willard Carroll Smith Sr. was a refrigeration engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran who lived in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to his famous son, he had three other children: Pamela and twins Harry and Ellen, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by Smith II’s three children, Will “Trey” III, Jaden, and Willow.
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In an interview with Studio Q, Smith Sr. thanked the lord for his son’s success. Asked what his favorite of Smith II’s movies was, 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 described his father in an interview with Essence magazine: “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.”
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