The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air


The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz that aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The series stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager born and raised in West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, where his lifestyle often clashes with that of his upper-class relatives.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a hit for NBC, running for 148 episodes over six seasons. Smith and James Avery were the only actors who appeared in each episode. The series was Smith's star vehicle into television and film.
A reunion special/retrospective reuniting the surviving cast debuted on HBO Max in November 2020. A more dramatic reimagining of the series, titled Bel-Air and based on the fan film of the same name, received a two-season order for Peacock, and was released on February 13, 2022.

Summary

The theme song and opening sequence set the premise of the show. Will Smith is a street-smart African-American teenager, "born and raised" in West Philadelphia. While playing street basketball, Will accidentally hits a group of young people with the ball, causing a confrontation that frightens his mother, who sends him to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in the opulent neighborhood of Bel Air.
Will's working class background ends up clashing in various humorous ways with the upper class world of the Banks family – Will's stern uncle Phil and tough but fair aunt Vivian and their children, Will's cousins: spoiled Hilary, pompous Carlton, impressionable Ashley and baby Nicky, as well as their sarcastic butler Geoffrey.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Celebrity guest stars

The show is notable for having a heavy celebrity guest presence, with more than forty celebrities guest starring throughout the series. Seasons 1 and 6 had the highest celebrity participation, with over 10 celebrity guest stars each.
CelebritySeason–EpisodeNotes
Richard Roundtree1–3Dr. Mumford, father of Will's love interest. Also played Rev. Sims in 6–18.
Don Cheadle1–5Ice Tray: Will's best friend from Philadelphia.
Adrienne-Joi Johnson1–7Christina Johnson: Will's crush from poetry club.
Bo Jackson1–9Themselves.
Heavy D1–9Themselves.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner1–9Themselves.
Quincy Jones1–9Themselves.
Al B. Sure1–9Themselves.
Kadeem Hardison1–9Themselves.
Naomi Campbell1–10Helen: Geoffrey's date.
Isiah Thomas1–11Himself.
Evander Holyfield1–15Himself.
Vivica A. Fox1–19Janet: Jazz's sister and Will's date.
Jasmine Guy1–21Kayla Samuels: Will's girlfriend.
Tevin Campbell1–24Little T: Teen idol.
Queen Latifah1–25Marissa Redman: Hilary's Boss. Also played "Dee Dee" in 2–8.
Tisha Campbell2–1Kathleen, Will's girlfriend in the episode.
Lela Rochon2–3Cindy: Will's girlfriend in the episode.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner2–9Eric: Hilary's love interest.
Zsa Zsa Gabor2–10Sonya Lamor: Uncle Phil's celebrity client.
Bell Biv DeVoe2–11Themselves.
Brandon Quintin2–12Ramon: Ashley's friend. He returns as Bryan in 4–18.
Allen Payne2–15Marcus: Will's basketball rival.
Anna Maria Horsford2–16Karen Caruthers, a woman who Geoffrey is attracted to.
Milton Berle2–18Max Jakey: Will's hospital roommate.
Bernie Kopell2–18Reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from The Love Boat in Will's nightmare.
John Beradino2–18Reprising his role as Dr. Steve Harding from General Hospital in Will's nightmare.
Bob Eubanks2–19Himself, as the host of a game show.
Raven-Symoné2–21Claudia, the daughter of Robert, who is Vy's boyfriend in the episode.
Larenz Tate3–3Kenny, a student at Bel-Air Prep who woos Ashley
Garcelle Beauvais3–3Veronica, a student at Bel-Air prep who Will pursues. Also appears in 5–25 and 6–6.
Lark Voorhies3–5Cindy: Carlton's ex-girlfriend
Sherman Hemsley3–6, 3–7, and 3–10Judge Robertson: Uncle Phil's rival. Also George Jefferson in 5–17 and 6–24.
Oprah Winfrey3–9Herself.
Vanessa Williams3–11Danny Mitchell: Will's idol.
Phil LaMarr3–15Edward: Uncle Phil's personal assistant.
Naya Rivera3–16Cindy: Hilary's imagined ideal baby sister.
Kim Fields3–17Monique: Will's girlfriend.
Tom Jones3–18Himself.
Riddick Bowe3–21A bully that confronts Carlton, but fights Will instead.
D. L. Hughley3–22Keith Campbell: Will's comedian friend from Philly.
Hugh Hefner4–9Himself.
Robin Quivers4–12Judith, one of the ghosts playing cards.
Boyz II Men4–13Themselves.
Sullivan Walker4–13Reverend Boyd.
Branford Marsalis4–14Himself. Also plays "Duane" a repair man in 4–18.
Stacey Dash4–17Michelle Michaels, a famous singer/celebrity.
Robert Guillaume4–19Pete Fletcher: Will's boss.
Cree Summer4–21Lisa Adams: Will's girlfriend.
John Witherspoon4–21Augustus Adams, father of Lisa.
Pam Grier4–22Janice Robertson, a former love interest of Uncle Phil.
Ben Vereen4–24Lou Smith: Will's father.
Donald Trump4–25Themselves.
Marla Maples4–25Themselves.
Dick Clark4–26Himself. Returned in 6–19 to co-host bloopers of the show with Will Smith.
Leeza Gibbons5–3Herself.
Brad Garrett5–5John "Fingers" O'Neill.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar5–6Himself.
Don Cornelius5–8Himself.
Ken Griffey Jr.5–9Himself.
Pat Morita5–9Mr. Yoshi, a Martial Arts master who Will comes to learn self-defense from.
Jay Leno5–10Himself. Also in 6–5 again playing himself.
John Ridley5–10Himself.
Susan Powter5–11Herself.
Isabel Sanford5–17Louise Jefferson, couple's therapy member. Returns in 6–24.
Isaac Hayes5–18The Minister, who happens to be an Isaac Hayes impersonator, assigned to officiate Will's express wedding.
Max Maven5–21The Great Mentos, a magician and mentalist that hypnotizes Will.
Charlie Robinson5–22Ernest: Uncle Phil's friend and fraternity brother.
Robin Givens5–23Denise: Will's love interest.
Chris Rock6–2Maurice, a famous actor. Also plays Maurice's sister in the same episode.
B.B. King6–4Pappy, the bar's blues player.
Jaleel White6–7Derek: Ashley's boyfriend.
Wayne Newton6–8Fred, the Casino Manager.
Galyn Görg6–12Helena: Nicky's boxing instructor.
Fredia Gibbs6–12One of the women who was throwing Will around the gym in his nightmare.
Daniel Riordan6–12Stan: Carlton's personal trainer.
Regis Philbin6–21Himself.
Arthel Neville6–21Herself.
William Shatner6–22Himself.
Conrad Bain6–24Phillip Drummond, open house attendee.
Gary Coleman6–24Arnold Jackson-Drummond, open house attendee.
Marla Gibbs6–24Florence Johnston, open house attendee.