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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Characters
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sent a street-smart kid from West Philadelphia to live with his rich relatives in Bel-Air.
- Network
- NBC
- Original run
- 1990 to 1996
- Guides
- 7
- Lead
- Will Smith
As the theme song explains, Will is sent from West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel-Air after one little fight. Will Smith, already a successful rapper, plays a version of himself, and the culture clash with his new family drives the comedy.
Uncle Phil Banks is a powerful lawyer with a soft spot for his nephew, and Aunt Vivian is the family's steady center. Their children are preppy Carlton, fashion-obsessed Hilary, and youngest Ashley, who idolizes Will. Geoffrey, the family's dry-witted butler, gets many of the best lines.
The show ran for six seasons on NBC. Carlton's dance and the opening theme are still instantly recognizable decades later.
New to the show, or planning a rewatch? Start with the essential The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes, led by the 5 that matter to more than one character. Already a superfan? Try the 20-question The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air trivia quiz.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air main cast(7)
- Will SmithLeadPlayed by Will SmithThe wisecracking West Philadelphia teenager who is sent to live with his rich aunt and uncle in Bel-Air, turning their mansion upside down while…
- Carlton BanksMain castPlayed by Alfonso RibeiroWill's preppy, rule-loving cousin in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a Princeton-obsessed conservative with a sweater vest, a big heart…
- Ashley BanksMain castPlayed by Tatyana AliThe youngest Banks daughter in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a sweet, smart kid who idolizes her cousin Will and grows up on screen into an…
- GeoffreyMain castPlayed by Joseph MarcellThe Banks family's dry-witted English butler in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, who serves the household with perfect manners and an even more perfect…
- Hilary BanksMain castPlayed by Karyn ParsonsThe eldest Banks child in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a pampered, shopping-obsessed socialite who stumbles from her father's credit cards into a…
- Philip BanksMain castPlayed by James AveryWill's stern, successful Uncle Phil in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a powerful Los Angeles lawyer turned judge who becomes the father figure Will…
- Vivian BanksMain castPlayed by Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell ReidWill's loving, principled Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, an educator and mother of four who defends her nephew and keeps her famously…
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