So back in 1990 NBC decided to give a hot young rapper named Will Smith his own television sitcom. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, probably one of your favorite 90s shows, was the delightful result, and though you might think you know all their is to know about the Banks family, there are plenty of fun facts you might not have known about the series! It’s time to get educated! Here are some facts from the hit NBC TV show that helped launch the acting career of Will Smith.
These Fresh Prince of Bel-Air facts include fun trivia like where The Carlton Dance came from, who played the cab driver in the opening credits, and how many actresses played Aunt Vivian. There are also some weird facts like where the actual Fresh Prince house is located, what country the original soundtrack was released in, and what kind of shoes Nike released in conjunction with the show.
So kick back, have Geoffrey bring you something to drink and dig into these fun Fresh Prince of Bel Air facts!
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Quincy Jones Plays the Cab Driver
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
The cab driver in the opening credits is Quincy Jones, who served as a producer on the show.
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Fans Helped Extend the Show by Two Seasons
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
The show was originally canceled after the fourth season when Will moved back to Philadelphia. Television station managers persuaded NBC to renew the show. The show ended up continuing for two more seasons.
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The Carlton Dance Came from Eddie Murphy and Courteney Cox
Video: YouTube
The popular Carlton Dance was actually a parody of the dance Courteney Cox did in the music video for Bruce Springsteen’s 1984 hit “Dancing in the Dark.” Said Alfonso Ribeiro, “The Carlton Dance was created when it said in the script: ‘Carlton dances.’ It was never even intended to be funny; it was just that he was dancing. The dance is ultimately Courteney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video ‘Dancing in the Dark.’ That’s the basis. Or in Eddie Murphy’s ‘Delirious’ video, ‘White Man Can’t Dance,’ as he called it.”
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Will Smith Agreed to Star Because of IRS Troubles
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
As he gained widespread fame as a rapper, Smith didn’t manage his money wisely or pay enough in income taxes. He owed $2.8 million to the IRS, which seized most of his belongings, including his income. Smith jumped at the chance to star in the series during his time of need. The IRS forced Smith to pay them 70 percent of his salary during the first three seasons.
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The Show Was Nominated for an Emmy and Multiple Golden Globes
Photo: ROBYN BECK/AFP / Getty Images
The nominations included two Golden Globe nods (one in 1993 and one in 1994) and an Emmy nomination in 1996.
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NBC Execs Nearly Fired Alfozo Ribiero
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air / NBC
Even though he was one of the only four actors to appear in every episode of Fresh Prince, Alfonso Ribiero almost didn’t make it past the first episode. He was initially cast in the pilot, but the new president of NBC at the time asked that Carlton be recast after seeing the episode. It’s uncertain why the executive changed his mind, but the rest is TV history.
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Sherman Hemsley Appeared on the Show Twice
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
Hemsley appeared as two different characters throughout the show’s run, once as Judge Carl Robertson and later in a cameo playing George Jefferson.
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Jazz Was Only Thrown Out of the House Once
Video: YouTube
Because it required on-location filming (which can get expensive), only one shot of Jazz being thrown out of the house was ever filmed. To avoid continuity errors, Jazz is always wearing the same shirt in the episodes that include him being thrown out.
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Only Four Actors Appeared in Every Episode
Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, and James Avery are the only cast members who appeared in every single episode of the show.
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Prisoners Prefer Fresh Prince over Harry Potter
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
In August 2012, the Miami Herald reported that the show was especially popular among prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
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Roseanne Was the Inspiration for More Serious Episodes
Photo: Roseanne / Viacom Enterprises
Will Smith has said that he encouraged the show’s writers to write more serious and dramatic episodes after being inspired by emotional moments on Roseanne.
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The Name of Uncle Phil’s Law Firm Comes From a Music Group
Photo: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Images
Uncle Phil’s law firm is called Firth, Wynn, and Meyer which is a play on the band name Earth, Wind & Fire. Executive producer Quincy Jones is a big fan of the group.
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The House Seen in the Credits Isn’t in Bel-Air
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
The house that Smith pulls up to during the opening credits isn’t actually in Bel Air, but in nearby Brentwood.
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Two Different Actresses Played Aunt Vivian
Photo: NBC / NBC
Aunt Vivian Banks was portrayed by two different actresses during the series run. Janet Hubert-Whitten portrayed the original Vivian in the first three seasons, but problems between Will Smith, the producers, and Hubert-Whitten caused her to leave the show. Daphne Maxwell Reid replaced her in the role for the final three seasons.
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Geoffrey Has a Middle and Last Name
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
The Banks family’s ever-snarky butler’s full name was Geoffrey Barbara Butler.
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Will Isn’t Really Short For William
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
Well, on the show it was. But in real life, Will Smith’s full first name is Willard.
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Nicky’s Middle Name Was Inspired by Boyz II Men
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
Nicky was first introduced in season three. His full name was Nicholas Andrew Michael Shawn Nathan Wanya Banks after the four members in R&B group Boyz II Men. They performed at Nicky’s christening in a season four episode and their names were added to Nicky’s original name.
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Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro Worked Behind the Camera Too
Photo: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air / NBC
Alfonso Ribeiro directed one episode of season five and Will Smith wrote one episode for season three.
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