Jada Pinkett Smith, born on September 18, 1971, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a multifaceted American actress, songwriter, dancer, producer, and entrepreneur. While she gained initial fame for her acting, notably in films like “Menace II Society” (1993) and “The Matrix Reloaded” (2003), Jada has diversified her career with ventures into directing, music, and business.
Jada started her acting journey in 1990 on the comedy series “True Colors” and has since become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. Her notable works include Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled” (2000), voicing Gloria in “Madagascar” (2005) and its sequels, and starring in the medical TV series “Hawthorne” (2009–2011). In 2017, she showcased her comedic skills in the hit film “Girls Trip.”
Beyond acting, Jada demonstrated her creative abilities with her directorial debut in the 2008 independent film “The Human Contract.” She is also a musician, contributing to the metal band Wicked Wisdom, and a successful music video director, writer, and businesswoman with her clothing line “Maja.”
Parents and Upbringing
Jada’s journey began at the Baltimore School of the Arts, where she majored in dance and drama before pursuing a career in Los Angeles. Her parents, Adrienne Banfield-Jones and Robsoll Pinkett Jr., had divorced when she was young, and she was primarily raised by her mother and maternal grandmother.
Relationships
In terms of relationships, Jada shared a close, platonic bond with the late rapper Tupac Shakur, whom she met at the Baltimore School for the Arts. While their friendship turned “volatile” towards the end of Tupac’s life, Jada considered him a father figure. Their relationship was later depicted in the film “All Eyes on Me,” which Jada found deeply hurtful due to misrepresented events.
Jada Pinkett Smith is now famously married to actor Will Smith. The couple, married since 1997, met on the set of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” in 1994. They have two children together, Jaden and Willow, and also care for Will’s son from a previous marriage, Trey.
Philanthropy
As a power couple, Jada and Will are not only successful in their careers but are actively engaged in philanthropy, co-founding the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation. Jada Pinkett Smith’s diverse career and her enduring relationship with Will Smith have contributed to her impressive net worth of $20 million.
