He ended up owing the IRS $2.8 million in taxes and they ended up taking many of his possessions and garnishing his income.
When he was nearly bankrupt in 1990 the NBC television network built a sitcom around him called 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' and signed him to a contract to play a fictional version of himself.
The show was successful and launched his acting career and saved him from bankruptcy.
Will set himself the goal of becoming the biggest movie star in the world and his first major roles were in 'Six Degrees of Separation' in 1993 and 'Bad Boys' in 1995.
The very next year he was established as a prime box office draw after the film 'Independence Day' was a massive hit and he followed that up with his performance in 'Men In Black' in 1997.
Smith set a World Record and was entered into the Guinness Book of Records in 2005 for attending three film premieres in a 24 hour time period!
Smith has not yet reached his goal of becoming the biggest movie star in the world. He has been nominated for two Academy Awards and four Golden Globe awards, but has won neither. He has, however, won a Golden Raspberry Award for the Worst Supporting Actor for his role in the 2014 movie 'After Earth.'
