THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'

Zoë EttingerJul 25, 2020, 00:27 IST

Will Smith in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and now.NBC/Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images

It's been 30 years since the first episode of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." The show aired from 1990 to 1996.
Will Smith, who plays a fictionalized version of himself in the show, has gone on to star in a number of hit movies, including "Bad Boys," "Men in Black," and "I Am Legend."
Karyn Parsons, who played Smith's spoiled cousin, Hilary Banks, went on to found a non-profit that produces educational children's films.
James Avery, who played the patriarch of the Banks' household, Philip Banks, passed away in 2013.

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" was hugely popular in its time, and ran for 148 episodes between 1990 and 1996. The show starred Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, and followed his hijinks in his aunt and uncle's house in Bel-Air, California.

Since the show, a number of the cast members have gone on to star in other films and TV shows, and some have shifted to work outside the entertainment industry. Sadly, James Avery, who played one of the show's most beloved characters, Uncle Phil, passed away in 2013.

Here's what the cast of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is up to now.

Will Smith played a teenager who gets sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, California, after getting in a fight in his hometown, West Philadelphia.

Will Smith in "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC

Smith has since starred in a number of hit movies, including "I Am Legend," and married Jada Pinkett in 1997.

Will Smith. Oscar Gonzalez/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Alfonso Ribeiro played Carlton Banks, Smith's preppy and conservative cousin.

Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks. NBC

Ribeiro won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2014, and he and his wife welcomed a daughter in 2019.

Alfonso Ribeiro. Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

Karyn Parsons played Hilary Banks, the oldest child of the Banks family, who was spoiled and snobbish, but had a good heart deep down.

Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks. Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Since the show ended, Parsons has founded Sweet Blackberry, an organization that produces children's films about influential Black figures in history.

Karyn Parsons. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

Tatyana Ali played Ashley Banks, the youngest Banks daughter who looks up to her cousin.

Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks. NBC

Ali graduated from Harvard in 2002. She has starred in a number of Hallmark films, and had a role in "The Young and the Restless."

Tatyana Ali and her husband, Vaughn Rasberry, and one of their sons, Edward. Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Joseph Marcell played Geoffrey, the Banks' sarcastic butler.

Marcell and Smith as Geoffrey and Will. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

After the show, Marcell moved back his native London. Hw went on to have a career in theater and serves on the board of the Globe Theatre.

Joseph Marcell. Tristar Media/Getty Images

Janet Hubert starred as Will's Aunt Vivian (or Viv), until she left the show after its third season.

Janet Hubert as Aunt Vivian. Mike Ansell/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Hubert went on to have a recurring role in "General Hospital." In 2016, she called out Jada Pinkett Smith's Oscars boycott.

Janet Hubert. Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images

Daphne Maxwell Reid took over the role of Aunt Vivian starting in the show's fourth season and until its final season.

Daphne Maxwell Reid as Aunt Vivian. YouTube

Reid is now a photographer and had a role in "Harriet." She is married to actor Tim Reid.

Daphne Maxwell Reid. Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images

Ross Bagley starred as Nicky Banks, the adorable son of Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian.

Ross Bagley as Nicky Banks. Jan Sonnenmair/NBCU Photo Bank

Bagley now works as a realtor in Los Angeles and starred alongside Smith in "Independence Day" in 1996.

Ross Bagley. Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Jeffrey A. Townes (aka DJ Jazzy Jeff), played Jazz, Will's friend who was always making trouble in the Banks' home.

Jeffrey A. Townes as Jazz, left. Ron Tom/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Townes still performs as DJ Jazzy Jeff and recently hosted a virtual block party celebrating the 30th anniversary of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

DJ Jazzy Jeff. Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Nia Long played Lisa Wilkes, Will's girlfriend and eventual fiancée who first appears in the fifth season of the show.

Nia Long as Lisa Wilkes. Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images

Long went on to star in TV series like "Third Watch," "Empire," and "Dear White People."

Nia Long. Paul Archuleta/Getty Images

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