The unlikely TV show that inspired Will Smith’s career: “That has been my vision”
He might be more famous these days for slapping comedians on live TV, but it’s important to remember that Will Smith used to rule the world. From radio-friendly rap to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to heading up some of the biggest movies in the world, it’s been a rollercoaster of a ride for the innovator of ‘Big Willie Style’. He’s grossed almost $10 billion worldwide and is showing no signs of slowing down.
Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, Smith was unavoidably influenced by the major cultural moments of the age. He has spoken at great length about his love for Star Wars, which is what inspired him to follow his dreams of becoming an actor. Hip-hop was on the rise during this period, so you can see why he would have pursued that genre for his later musical career. However, outside of Luke Skywalker and Grandmaster Flash, there was another, less likely piece of media that had a big impact on young Will.
“As I child, I remember watching Dallas, and that has been my vision for my life for as long as I can remember,” he told Front Row. “I was like, ‘That property has a name? How does a property have a name?’ Ours was just row house. On that show, everybody came to breakfast and they were grown, yet they came to breakfast and everybody worked the family business. I was like, ‘I want that.’ So I’ve been a mad scientist trying to build my own Dallas through Star Wars and rap music.”
Between 1978 and 1991, Dallas was pretty much unavoidable. A soap opera following the lives of the oil-rich Ewing family in Texas, the show was drenched in sex, scandal, and opulent wealth. During the material-mad 1980s, it was essential viewing. At its peak, it drew over 20 million viewers a week. The conclusion of its legendary ‘Who Shot J R?’ storyline smashed records when more than 90m Americans — over three-quarters of the country’s TV audience — tuned in to find out who had gunned down the notorious tycoon. The show is just as notable for its infamous ‘Dream Season’, an entire year of programming revealed to have taken place entirely within the mind of one character.
Smith didn’t exactly grow up poor—his father had been in the Air Force, while his mother was a university-educated school board administrator—but it’s clear that he had aspirations even as a young boy. His drive to build a legacy and a good life for his family is clear in his insane work ethic. He’s slowed down considerably over the past few years, but there was a time when he was everywhere.
Much like the Ewings, the Smiths have established themselves as a dynasty. In 1997, he married the actor Jada Pinkett, later Jada Pinkett-Smith. Their turbulent relationship has been the subject of as much tabloid speculation as any of the plotlines on Dallas. Then there are his two kids, fellow actor Jaden and musician Willow.
While the Ewings aren’t most people’s idea of a role model family, Smith’s entire life trajectory has been affected in one way or another by their fictional antics. Fingers crossed that none of his sisters-in-law have any ideas about recreating the show’s most famous moment.
