Will Smith Had to Pay the IRS 70% of His Checks for the First 3 Seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Before he became one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, Will Smith had a serious money problem. Long before the blockbuster films, Grammy wins, and global fame, the young rapper-turned-actor was drowning in IRS debt.

In the late 1980s, Smith rose to fame as part of the rap duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. While they scored hits and even won a Grammy, Smith admits he didn’t handle his money wisely. Lavish spending and poor financial management left him owing the IRS a reported $2.8 million.

When NBC came calling with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990, Smith saw it as a lifeline. But there was a catch: the IRS took 70% of his paycheck for the first three seasons of the show to cover his back taxes.

That meant while Smith was starring in a hit sitcom and becoming a household name, the majority of his earnings were being funneled straight to the government.

Looking back, Smith has called it a tough but important lesson in financial responsibility. Despite the struggle, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air launched his acting career, giving him the platform to become one of the biggest stars in the world.

It’s a reminder that even icons like Will Smith had to overcome serious setbacks before achieving legendary success.