Tayannah Lee McQuillar

Jada Koren Pinkett Smith, born September 18, 1971, is an American actress, businesswoman, and talk show host. Her career began with a significant role on the sitcom A Different World in 1991, leading to a string of film appearances in the 1990s, including Menace II Society, Jason's Lyric, The Nutty Professor, Set It Off, and Scream 2. She later gained prominence for her roles in The Matrix sequels, the Madagascar animated films, and television series like Hawthorne and Gotham. Beyond acting, Pinkett Smith was the lead singer of the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom and authored a children's book. She also co-hosts the talk show Red Table Talk, for which she received a Daytime Emmy Award, and co-founded the company Westbrook with her husband, Will Smith, producing various media projects. Time recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in 2021.

Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Jada Koren Pinkett's early life was shaped by her mother's passion for acting. Of Jamaican, Bajan, and African-American heritage, her parents were Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Robsol Pinkett Jr. Despite her parents' brief marriage and divorce, Pinkett was raised by her mother and maternal grandmother, Marion Martin Banfield, a Jamaican-born social worker who encouraged her artistic pursuits. Pinkett received training in piano, tap dance, and ballet. She attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, studying acting and dance, where she met and formed a close friendship with Tupac Shakur. Despite admitting to late arrivals and not being the top student, she graduated in 1989. After high school, she briefly attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for drama.

Pinkett's acting career commenced in 1990 with a guest role on True Colors, followed by appearances on shows like Doogie Howser, M.D. and 21 Jump Street. Her role as Lena James on A Different World in 1991 marked a significant breakthrough. She transitioned to film with Menace II Society in 1993, a role she took on with encouragement from her friend Tupac Shakur. Her early filmography includes A Low Down Dirty Shame, Jason's Lyric, and The Inkwell. In 1995, she appeared in Demon Knight and also began directing music videos. Her career gained momentum in 1996 with starring roles in the successful film The Nutty Professor and the crime drama Set It Off, where her performance was critically noted. She also had a memorable cameo in Scream 2 (1997) and took on lead roles in films like Woo and Bamboozled.

Pinkett Smith achieved significant commercial success with her portrayal of Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003, roles written specifically for her. She also lent her voice to the character Gloria in the animated hit Madagascar (2005). Her filmography continued with roles in Collateral (2004), and later Magic Mike XXL (2015), Bad Moms (2016), Girls Trip (2017), and The Matrix Resurrections (2021). On television, she starred in Hawthorne (2009–2011) and Gotham (2014–2017). In the 2000s, she fronted the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom. Pinkett Smith also ventured into children's literature with Girls Hold Up This World, which became a New York Times Best Seller. In 2009, she co-founded Westbrook with her husband, Will Smith, a company involved in various media productions. Her work as a producer earned her a Tony Award nomination for the musical Fela! in 2010.

“My grandmother was a doer who wanted to create a better community and add beauty to the world.”

“I really miss my homeboys. They're not like these Hillman brothers, all self-involved and afraid to sweat.”

“raw”

“major attitude”

“Ms. Pinkett, whose performance is as sassy and sizzling as a Salt-N-Pepa recording, walks away with the movie.”