- 2008: Played a suicidal IRS agent trying to help seven strangers in the drama "Seven Pounds'
- 2008: Co-starred with Charlize Theron in the superhero-themed "Hancock"
- 2008: Nominated for the 2008 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Action Star
- 2008: Nominated for the 2008 People’s Choice Award for Favorite Male Star
- 2007: Played 'the last man on Earth' in the film adaptation of Richard Matheson's 1954 novel "I Am Legend"
- 2006: Produced and co-starred with real life son in "Pursuit of Happyness" a true rags-to-riches story based on the life of Chris Gardner; received Golden Globe, SAG and Oscar nominations for Best Actor
- 2005: Starred opposite Eva Mendes in the romantic comedy "Hitch"
- 2004: Executive produced and starred in the big-screen verison of sci-fi author Isaac Asimov's "I, Robot"
- 2004: Voiced the character of Oscar in the animated feature "Shark Tale"
- 2004: Guest starred as Jonny in an episode of the UPN comedy "All Of Us," which he also executive produces
- 2003: Reteamed with Martin Lawrence for "Bad Boys 2"
- 2002: Reteamed with Tommy Lee Jones for "Men in Black II"
- 2001: Portrayed boxer Muhammad Ali in the Michael Mann-directed biopic "Ali"; Jon Voight appeared as sportscaster Howard Cosell; received Best Actor Oscar nomination
- 2000: Played a mysterious golf caddy in the period drama "The Legend of Bagger Vance" co-starring Matt Damon and directed by Robert Redford
- 1999: Reteamed with Sonnenfeld to portray James West in the big screen version of "Wild Wild West"
- 1998: With childhood friend James Lassiter, formed Overbrook Entertainment (September); company landed production deal at Universal
- 1998: Played a labor lawyer targeted by government agents in the thriller "Enemy of the State"; first screen appearance opposite Jon Voight
- 1997: Teamed with Tommy Lee Jones in the comedy "Men in Black" directed by Barry Sonnenfeld
- 1996: Starred as a fighter pilot battling aliens in the blockbuster "Independence Day"
- 1995: Became bona fide movie star with "Bad Boys"
- 1993: Hosted the Presidential Inaugural Celebration for Youth (part of the inaugural gala for President Clinton)
- 1993: Breakthrough dramatic feature lead, "Six Degrees of Separation"; played con man who ingratiates himself with NYC society by claiming to be Sidney Poitier's son
- 1992: Feature acting debut in significant role, "Where the Day Takes You"
- 1990: Starred in own hit TV comedy series "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" (NBC)
- 1989: Had made and lost (due to excessive spending) his first $1 million by age 20
- 1988: Produced and performed song, "Jazzy's in the House" for feature, "License to Drive"
- 1986: Released first single with Townes, "Girls Ain't Nothin' But Trouble" as the duo D.J. Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
- 1986: First film, a bit part as a pollster, "The Imagemaker"
- 1981: Began collaborating on rap music with musician Jeffrey Townes (aka 'Jazzy Jeff')
- 1981: Began rapping at age 12
- Raised in the Wynnefield section of Philadelphia
- Reportedly turned down a scholarship to pursue music instead




