Where are The Fresh Prince of Bel Air now? From Will Smith’s feud with co-star to tragic death and career swap

HAVE you ever wondered what the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air are up to now?

The much-loved American sitcom hit our screens in the early 90s.

Let's take a look at what they're doing now...

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Let’s take a look at what they’re doing now… Image Credits: Getty

The show premiered in September 1990 and aired its final series in 1996.

It followed the life of a young boy named Will, who moved from West Philadelphia to Los Angeles to live with his rich aunty and uncle in their mansion.

The youngster got into a fight while playing basketball, so his mum decided the best thing to do was be brought up by his wealthier family members so he could stay out of trouble.

After 148 episodes the show came to an end, but since then the stars have been pretty busy.

The majority of the cast did reunite in back in 2020, but let’s have a look at what they’ve been up to…

Will Smith

Will played himself on the show

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Will played himself on the show
Will has a reported networth of £255m

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Will has a reported networth of £255m Image Credits: Getty Images – Getty

Will, 53, shot to fame in 1985 as one half of hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

But he is arguably most known for his portrayal of himself in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

In 1990, TV network NBC created his own sitcom and it became a huge success as fans fell in love with the hilarious scenes, theme tune and how they explored important social issues.

After Will’s stint on the show he landed roles in the popular movies Independence Day (1996) and Men in Black (1997).

The actor – who is reportedly worth £255m – is now one of the most successful actors of his time

He’s also starred in other blockbusters including I, Robot, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, Hancock, Hitch, Suicide Squad and The Karate Kid.

Most recently he produced romantic drama Life in a Year and is due to star in an upcoming thriller called Emancipation.

Will married wife Jada Koren Pinkett in 1997 and they share two kids together, Jaden Christopher Syre Smith and Willow Camille Reign Smith.

Alfonso Ribeiro

He played Carlton Banks in the programme

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He played Carlton Banks in the programme Image Credits: Getty – Contributor
Alfonso has appeared in a variety of shows since 1996

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Alfonso has appeared in a variety of shows since 1996 Image Credits: AP:Associated Press

Alfonso, 50, portrayed the much-loved Carlton Banks on the show.

Although he annoyed his cousin Will at times, fans loved to watch their relationship unfold on screen.

During his six years on the sitcom, his alter-ego coined “the Carlton”, a dance which is still known to this day.

Since then he’s appeared in various films and programmes as characters and himself.

Some include animated TV show Extreme Ghostbusters, Disney’s Shake It Up and Nickelodeon’s Big Time Rush.

He’s also dipped his feet into the realm of reality TV, starring in The Graham Norton Show, ITV’s I’m A Celebrity, BBC’S Strictly and Dancing with the Stars.

He’s also directed a number of things including sitcom All of Us, Meet the Browns and K.C Undercover.

Alfonso was married to his first wife Robin Staple from 2002 to 2006, and they share a daughter together.

He went on to tie the knot with Angela Unkrich in 2012 and has three children with her – three children: Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro Jr, eight, Anders Reyn Ribeiro, six, and Ava Sue Ribeiro, two.

James Avery

James passed away in 2013

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James passed away in 2013 Image Credits: AP:Associated Press

James is most well known for playing Will’s serious uncle Philip Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

The star sadly died in 2013 aged 69 after complications from open heart surgery.

The actor had an extremely successful career throughout his life after shooting to fame in 1980 in The Stunt Man.

In 1997 he played Dr. Glidden in film Spirit Lost, a number of character’s voices in The Prince of Egypt in 1998 and Eldon in Dr. Doo Little 2 are to name a few film roles.

TV wise James starred in a long list of shows including That’s So Raven, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Star Trek: Enterprise.

He also voiced Br’er Bear in the video game Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Catalysm and Cat Comando in Biker Mice from Mars.

Tatyana Ali

Tatyana appeared on the show aged 11

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Tatyana appeared on the show aged 11 Image Credits: Alamy
The star is now married with two kids

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The star is now married with two kids Image Credits: Getty – Contributor

Tatyana, 42, shot to fame in 1985 as one of the kids in children’s TV show Sesame Street.

After a number of roles she began to portray Ashley Banks, Will’s little cousin, from 1990 to 1996.

It’s not a shock that since then she’s starred in other TV shows including Fastlane, Love That Girl!, Zoe Ever After and 413 Hope St.

Not only that, she’s appeared in blockbusters such as Jawbreaker, Back In The Day and most recently Christmas Hotel.

The star is also extremely clever and graduated from Harvard University with a BA in African-American Studies and Government in 2002.

She tied the knot with Dr. Vaughn Rasberry in 2016 and they share two sons Edwards and Alejandro.

Joseph Marcell

Everybody loved Geoffrey the butler

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Everybody loved Geoffrey the butler
Joseph has starred in EastEnders, Holby City and The Bill since

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Joseph has starred in EastEnders, Holby City and The Bill since Image Credits: Alamy

Joseph, 73, has juggled his career between the UK and US since shooting to fame in 1974.

He’s most known for playing the Banks’ family butler Geoffrey Butler.

But after The Fresh Prince of Bel Air ended he wasn’t short of roles as he starred in American sitcoms Living Single, In The House and Bold and Beautiful.

He also returned back to the UK to play Vernon Johnson in The Bill, Aubrey Valentine in EastEnders, Carl Webster in Holby City and Alexander Jackson in Death in Paradise.

He most recently starred in Netflix’s Ratched and The Man In The Hat.

Joseph also loves performing on stage and has been in Gem of the Ocean in 2016, Lady Windermere’s Fan in 2018 and The Tempest in 2016.

Janet Hubert

Janet was the first to play Vivian Banks

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Janet was the first to play Vivian Banks Image Credits: Getty – Contributor
Janet and Will aired out their differences Will Smith's Red Table Takeover: Resolving Conflict in 2020

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Janet and Will aired out their differences Will Smith’s Red Table Takeover: Resolving Conflict in 2020 Image Credits: Facebook

Janet, 65, was the first woman to take on the role of Will’s aunt Vivian Banks.

She played the retired doctor for a total of epsiodes between 1990 and 1993.

It was reported that she left the show after clashing with co-star Will.

She bagged herself a number of TV roles after including in Friends, Gilmore Girls and One Life to Live.

The star also starred in films such as White Man’s Burden, Proud and most recently Christmas Belles

She shares Elijah Isaac Whitten with her ex-husband James and married her second husband Larry Kraft in 2005.

Daphne Maxwell-Reid

Daphne played Vivian from 1993 to 1996

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Daphne played Vivian from 1993 to 1996
She shot to fame in 1979

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She shot to fame in 1979 Image Credits: Getty – Contributor

Daphne, 73, played Vivian Banks from 1993 to 1996.

She shot to fame in 1979 as Dr Karla Meredith in A Man Called Sloane.

The `actress played roles in a long list of TV shows before The Fresh Prince of Bel Air including Murder, She Wrote, Frank’s Place and The Long Journey Home.

Karyn Parson

Karyn played Hilary in the show

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Karyn played Hilary in the show
Karyn has written two books and is the mother of two children

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Karyn has written two books and is the mother of two children

Karyn, 54, took on the role of Will’s oldest cousin Hilary Banks from 1990 to 1996.

She went on to play Margont Hines in Lush Life, Jackie Zambrano in Melrose Place and Elaine in Linc’s.

From 2002 to 2017 Karyn stayed out of the spotlight and in that time gave birth to her two children Lana, 17, and Nico, 14.

She’s also published two children books How High the Moon and Flying Free.

Jeffrey Allen Townes

Jeffrey and pal Will Smith

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Jeffrey and pal Will Smith Image Credits: Getty
He is a very successful DJ

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He is a very successful DJ Image Credits: Getty

Jeffrey, 56 – who played Jazz in the sitcom from 1990 to 1996 – is a very well known DJ.

He was one half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and has since then produced solo music, as well as tunes with Will Smith.

He’s worked alongside Mac Miller and Eminem.

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