“I feel like Will is so close to me and my personal experiences. There are so many parallels between my life and his life,” Banks, an otherwise showbiz newcomer, gushed in February 2022 to The Hollywood Reporter. “It feels as if it’s not such a stretch as an actor. I’m really learning the ropes, what it means to act on camera, the language, the logistics. This is such a blessing to be able to play on this level and to be proof that dreams really do come true.” It’s his first screen role, and Banks is humble about that—even though, based on the Bel-Air trailers, it’s clear the part is well-deserved. “There are so many hard-working people out here, and they’re dedicated,” he said. “I was also dedicated and put in my time, but the truth is I got lucky, and so I want other people to see they have that opportunity, too.” What a guy! Get to know the new Fresh Prince, Bel-Air star Jabari Banks, including what he was doing when he got the role, where he was “born and raised,” his performance training and background, and the special connection he feels with the late, great Chadwick Boseman.
How old is Jabari Banks?
Banks was born in 1998, and as of Bel-Air’s Season 1 premiere on Feb. 13, 2022, he’s 23 years young. That’s almost on target with Smith’s age (22) when Fresh Prince first aired in 1990.
What is Jabari Banks’ height?
Banks is about 5'10" tall, which is pretty tall—although not quite as lanky as the original Fresh Prince. (Will Smith stands a reported 6'2".)
What did Jabari Banks do before Bel-Air?
Bel-Air is Banks’ first onscreen acting role. “As soon as I learned I booked the show, I was in California in two days,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “After that week, we flew to Philly and we started filming. I’ve been filming ever since.” Banks says he got interested in acting when he was a junior in high school, joining the drama club after spending most of his time pursuing sports like basketball, soccer, baseball and football. He studied musical theater at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and was a singer, dancer and rapper in addition to a stage actor. You can check out a demo reel he made here: Before booking Bel-Air, Banks worked a regular factory job. “In August 2020, I worked in Temecula, California, in a factory job that my mom had found. August 28 was the day that Chadwick Bosemandied, and I remember when that happened, I said I really want to honor him and his legacy with what he did portraying these characters—these amazing roles and these iconic figures,” he said. “The next year, same day—August 28, 2021—I booked this role. I didn’t take that lightly. I don’t believe anything happens without reason, so I was just like, ‘This is my time, my chance.’”
Where is Jabari Banks from?
Believe it or not, the answer is: “In West Philadelphia, born and raised!"—just like the original Fresh Prince himself. Banks even told The Hollywood Reporter that he had a boxed set of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that was one of his prized possessions growing up. “I remember hearing stories about how The Fresh Prince would air and everything would shut down [in West Philadelphia],” he said. “Everybody just watched the episode and the next day [they] were talking about it.”
Are Jabari Banks and Will Smith friends?
Banks adores Smith, who co-developed Bel-Air, and credits him as a mentor and inspiration in his work on Bel-Air. “Will has been such a beautiful collaborator in this whole process, and it’s been such an amazing journey getting to know myself through this role,” Banks gushed to VIBE. “I think one of the biggest things that he’s allowed me to do is to create this whole new interpretation of this character. And he left it to my own volition. That was super trusting of him. And, through that, I was like, ‘Man, I can’t mess this up.’ It’s gonna be super exciting for people to watch what I do.” Banks also revealed to WWD that not only is Smith supportive, but that his son, Jaden Smith, is also in his corner. “Jaden pops up and he’s, like, ‘Yo, we just watched the pilot, that was crazy. You embody my dad so well.’ And then Will’s there and he’s, like, ‘Yo, the pilot is f***ing beautiful. It was amazing,’” Banks recalled. “The whole Smith family supports us and they’re backing us. That is the ultimate big up.”
Who does Jabari Banks play on Bel-Air?
Banks plays Will on Bel-Air, and he has some big shoes to fill—but he knows he’s capable of doing it. “I knew this character was me,” Banks told The New York Post. “Throughout my whole life, people said, ‘You kind of have mannerisms like Will [Smith] and you move like him a little bit.’ This is my first role and The Fresh Prince was Will Smith’s first TV role. I remember sitting down with [Bel-Air director/co-writer/executive producer] Morgan Cooper one day and he was like, ‘As soon as I met you, I knew it was you.’ So from then on I just went with my own instincts.” Next, What Motivates Will Smith? Read the Actor’s Inspiring Quotes
