VivaVibe

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most beloved sitcoms of the '90s, helping launch Will Smith to superstardom. The actor starred as a fictionalized version of himself, a Philadelphia native who got into trouble, prompting his mother to try and give him a better life by sending him to live with his wealthy relatives in Los Angeles. Beyond Smith, the series featured a stellar ensemble cast including Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery, Tatyana Ali, and Janet Hubert.

Find out what cast members from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air have been up to since the show's conclusion in 1996.

Will Smith (Will Smith)

The Philly rapper didn't have to step far outside of himself for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, playing Will Smith, a high school student born and raised in West Philadelphia. The onscreen Will found himself in Los Angeles' swanky neighborhood of Bel-Air, where he moved in with his aunt and uncle and tried to adapt to their lifestyle.

Fresh Prince was just the beginning for the "Parents Just Don't Understand" performer. Will Smith's acting career soon became more lucrative than his time in the studio, as he made the transition to the big screen. The movie star nabbed roles in Men in Black (1997), I, Robot (2004), and I Am Legend (2007), and earned Academy Award nominations for Ali (2001) and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). After appearing in blockbusters like Suicide Squad (2016), Aladdin (2019), and Gemini Man (2019), he won a Best Actor Oscar for his performance as the father of Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard (2021) — though his win was undoubtedly overshadowed by another event involving Smith on Oscar night. He went on to executive produce several episodes of Bel-Air, Peacock's dramatic reimagining of Fresh Prince, and star in Apple TV+'s Emancipation (2022).

Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)

Alfonso Ribeiro busted out some infamous dance moves as Will's preppy cousin, Carlton Banks. The high school student with a passion for tying sweaters around his neck had Ivy League dreams, expensive taste, and conservative views.

The former child star had already been in the business for 10 years when he booked his part on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He continued his acting career after the show's wrap with a role on NBC's In the House and voice work on Spider-Man: The Animated Series and Extreme Ghostbusters. Ribeiro returned to television in 2014 as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars — eventually winning the season. He went on to serve as a cohost of the show starting in 2022, while also hosting America's Funniest Home Videos.

James Avery (Philip Banks)

The father figure of the show, James Avery played Harvard Law graduate Philip Banks. Will's uncle and Carlton's dad was known for his passion for politics and his quick temper. Uncle Phil took care of Will, as well as his own children, and was one of the most successful members of his family.

Avery racked up dozens of television and film roles after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's series finale in 1996. He picked up the lead role on UPN's Sparks, made appearances on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Dharma & Greg, and That '70s Show, and hit the big screen in Raise Your Voice (2004), Hair Show (2004), and Wish I Was Here (2014). Avery died in 2013 at the age of 68 due to complications from heart surgery.

Janet Hubert (Vivian Banks)

Janet Hubert opened the show as matriarch Vivian Banks. She played Will's aunt and the mother to Carlton, Ashley, and Hilary until the end of Fresh Prince's third season. She was eventually fired from the show after feuding with Smith, and handed the reins over to Daphne Reid, who played Vivian for seasons 4–6.

Following Fresh Prince, Hubert made appearances on The Jamie Foxx Show, NYPD Blue, One Life to Live, and Friends. In 2017, she spoke out about Smith, telling Yahoo that she thought it was time for a reunion with the star and the exchange of mutual apologies. A reunion took place in 2020 on HBO Max, with Hubert and Smith coming to an understanding. Two years later, Hubert went on to defend her TV nephew after his Oscar controversy. Her other TV gigs include General Hospital, Pose, Love Life, and New Amsterdam.

Daphne Reid (Vivian Banks)

Reid took over for Hubert in 1993, becoming mom Vivian to the three original Banks children and newborn baby Nicky. She raised the youngest son and the show never acknowledged that she wasn't the maternal figure from the beginning.

After her mid-series entrance onto Fresh Prince, Reid popped up on Sister, Sister, In the House, and Crossing Jordan. Reid also had an arc on Eve; appeared in the Disney TV movie Alley Cats Strike (2000); and guested on Bel-Air, A Black Lady Sketch Show, and Fantasy Island.

Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks)

Karyn Parsons hit Fresh Prince as Hilary Banks, Carlton's older sister and Will's cousin. The charismatic valley girl enrolled at UCLA, but ended up dropping out. She eventually found a successful future on television, leading her namesake daytime talk show.

Much like her character Hilary, Parsons also largely stuck to television after saying goodbye to the show. She starred on Fox's short-lived Lush Life, later booking gigs on Melrose Place, Showtime's Linc's, and ABC's The Job. Parsons also made film appearances in The Ladies Man (2000) and 13 Moons (2002). Additionally, the actress has penned multiple children's books.

Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks)

The Sesame Street alum took on the role of Ashley Banks. The youngest of the Banks kids until Nicky came along in season 3, Ashley had a close relationship with her cousin Will and grew up over the course of the show, much to her father Phil's chagrin.

Tatyana Ali kept very busy after Fresh Prince, earning a bachelor's degree from Harvard and continuing her decades-long acting career as she tried her hand at music. She had a recurring role on The Young and the Restless, and earned feature film credits for Kiss the Girls (1997), Jawbreaker (1999), and Glory Road (2006), among others. She's also starred in several Hallmark Christmas movies; appeared as a contestant on RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race in 2022; and popped up in an episode of Bel-Air.

Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler)

Joseph Marcell was Fresh Prince's butler Geoffrey. The British assistant had an air of sophistication and a colorful past that included brushes with England's royal family. Geoffrey brought humor to the show with his wit and cynicism, and offered an outside perspective on the Banks family.

After hanging up his apron and three-piece suit, Marcell booked a similar role on The Bold and the Beautiful. He later appeared on EastEnders, Ratched, and I Hate You; took on film roles in Return to Zero (2014), The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019), and The Stranger in Our Bed (2022); and starred in Royal Shakespeare Company and Globe Theatre productions of King Lear, Othello, and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Ross Bagley (Nicky Banks)

Ross Bagley joined The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air when he was just 5 years old, playing the newest addition to the Banks family, baby Nicky. Significantly younger than his cousin Will and his older siblings Carlton, Hilary, and Ashley, Nicky brought an adorable dynamic to the show.

Bagley continued to act into his teens, appearing in Eye for an Eye (1996), Independence Day (1996), and on Judging Amy. After a nearly 10-year hiatus, the Little Rascals star picked up parts in two 2015 indie horror films — Gnome Alone and Dead Ringer.

DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jeffery A. Townes)

The DJ starred alongside his pal Smith as Jazz. Taking inspiration from the real DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jazz worked with Fresh Prince's Will on music and was his best friend. The Compton resident had a big crush on Will's cousin Hilary and butted heads with her father Phil, accordingly.

Credited as Jeffery A. Townes on Fresh Prince, Jazzy Jeff all but abandoned his acting career after the sitcom ended. He continued to earn credits with his contributions to film and TV soundtracks, and focused on his music with the release of solo projects and production work.

Nia Long (Lisa Wilkes)

Nia Long had an arc on Fresh Prince as Lisa Wilkes. She was featured more than a dozen times in the show's final seasons, playing Will's love interest. The two planned a wedding but never made it through their vows.

Long continued to appear on television with roles on ER, Moesha, Judging Amy, Third Watch, Empire, NCIS: Los Angeles, and The Best Man: The Final Chapters, to name a few. She also went on to see success in movies, with parts in Soul Food (1997), The Best Man (1999), Boiler Room (2000), Alfie (2004), Keanu (2016), The Banker (2020), Missing (2023), and You People (2023).

Vernee Watson (Vy Smith)

Vernee Watson had a turn on Fresh Prince as Will's mother, Vy Smith. She was the sister to Will's aunt Vivian, and the one who decided to send Will to live with the family in California. Vy was a loving and concerned parent who thought Will could make a better life for himself outside of Philadelphia.

The actress has continued to work consistently in Hollywood. She transitioned from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to roles on Sister, Sister, The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives. She also has appeared on Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory, as well as in the films Antwone Fisher (2002) and Highland Park (2013). In addition to a series regular gig on Bob Hearts Abishola, Johnson appeared alongside Reid in an episode of Bel-Air in 2022.

Tyra Banks (Jackie Ames)

Early in her career, Tyra Banks earned her first acting credits as Fresh Prince's Jackie Ames. Jackie and Will were childhood friends in Philadelphia and ended up reconnecting in Los Angeles. While there was a spark between the two, Will was unsuccessful in winning her over.

Banks kick-started a television career with the '90s series, going on to appear on All That, Just Shoot Me!, Felicity, Gossip Girl, Black-ish, and in Disney's Life-Size (2000), as well as its 2018 sequel. She also served as the host of America's Next Top Model from 2003 to 2018 and booked movie roles with Love Stinks (1999), Love & Basketball (2000), and Coyote Ugly (2000). She took over as host of Dancing With the Stars in 2020.

ncG1vNJzZmidp2OwsLmOoJilpJWnxnCy0Z6qoWWgp7avr8RmmZ6kXZa2s3nWoZyrnV2Wv6Z506GcsmWepMRw