Will Smith: actor, rapper and ADHD sufferer

Published: October 25, 2020

Will Smith is one of the greatest black actors to enter Hollywood. Beginning his career as a young rapper in Philadelphia, where he grew up, and earning the nickname “The Fresh Prince”, he exploded onto TV screens across the globe in the hit series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. From 1990 to 1996 Smith was popular among his fans, but had failed to gain any real recognition from Hollywood producers and directors.

Having original set himself the goal of becoming the biggest movie star in history, the high achiever went on to star in several movies, earning his big break with ‘Independence Day’ (1996) and ‘Men In Black’ (1997).

Since then his career has continued to soar, and suddenly found himself on the same level as Hollywood heavyweights of the time like Jim Carrey.

Being among the top Hollywood earners was not enough for Smith, who claims he can never sit still, and always has to keep moving towards perfection, as he states in an interview with Rolling Stone.

His songs ‘Getting’ Jiggy Wit It’ and ‘Men In Black’ both paved the path to success in the music industry, with his album ‘Big Willie Style’ going platinum.

Speaking about his drive to achieve and never being able to sit still, Smith says he suffers from ADHD. In the same interview with Rolling Stone, Smith says:

“I was the fun one who had trouble paying attention.

“Today they’d diagnose me as a child with ADHD.

“I was a B student who should’ve been getting A’s — classic underachiever.

“It was hard for me to read an entire book in two weeks.

“Today I buy a book and have someone read it for me on tape!”

Click to find out more about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Image: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Time_100_Will_Smith_c.jpg

Published October 25, 2020 by Carolin W. in Celebrities
Tags: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, brain, Will Smith