Jada Pinkett Smith.

Jada Koren Pinkett

Born 18 Sep 1971 Baltimore, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 54 yr Today

12 min read

Reading time

2,209

Words

Jul 20, 2026

Published

Film credits

Awards

TL;DR

Jada Pinkett Smith, born September 18, 1971 in Baltimore, Maryland, first won attention as Lena James on the sitcom A Different World in 1991. She played opposite Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor 1996 and Fish Mooney on Gotham 2014-2017. She fronts the band Wicked Wisdom and hosts Red Table Talk, where she disclosed her alopecia areata diagnosis in 2018.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Jada Pinkett Smith — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Jada Koren Pinkett

Aliases Jada, Jada Pinkett, Jada Smith, Wicked Wisdom

Parents: Adrienne Pinkett
Spouses: Will Smith
Children: Jaden Smith Willow Smith

At a glance.

STATS

Jada Pinkett Smith by the numbers — life, work, and family.

54 Age

79 Film credits

4 Awards

1 Marriage

2 Children

Who is Jada Pinkett Smith?

BIOGRAPHY

Jada Pinkett Smith — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Jada Koren Pinkett was born in Baltimore, Maryland on September 18, 1971. Her parents divorced soon after. Her mother, Adrienne Banfield Norris, a nurse who later co-hosted Red Table Talk, raised her. Her father, Robsol Grant Pinkett Jr., worked as a contractor. At the Baltimore School for the Arts, she majored in dance and choreography and met Tupac Shakur as a classmate. She also spent a year at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts before leaving for Los Angeles to act. Her mother beat heroin addiction to become a nurse and television personality.

Career

In 1991, Jada Pinkett Smith was cast as Lena James on the sitcom A Different World. She made her feature film debut in Menace II Society 1993 and gained notice opposite Eddie Murphy in The Nutty Professor 1996. She appeared in Scream 2 1997 and Woo 1998. Five days before shooting Woo, her close friend Tupac Shakur was killed. In 2003, she starred in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions and became friends with co-star Carrie-Anne Moss. From 2014 to 2017, she played the villain Fish Mooney on Fox’s Gotham. She fronts the pop/rock band Wicked Wisdom, which performed on Late Show with David Letterman in 2006. Behind the camera, she has directed music videos and served as executive producer on projects including the film adaptation of Sister Souljah’s novel The Coldest Winter Ever.

Personal life

Since marrying Will Smith in 1997, they have two children: son Jaden Smith born 1998 and daughter Willow Smith born 2000. Will also has a son, Trey, from a previous relationship, whom Jada considers her stepson. The family has homes in California and Maryland. Jada has experienced alopecia areata, which she revealed on Red Table Talk in 2018, and she shaved her head in 2021. She also has thalassophobia and acrophobia. Her mother, Adrienne, beat heroin addiction to become a nurse and co-host of Red Table Talk.

Legacy

Jada Pinkett Smith’s career includes a breakout role on A Different World in 1991 and a villainous run as Fish Mooney on Gotham from 2014 to 2017. She fronts the band Wicked Wisdom, which performed heavy metal on Late Show with David Letterman in 2006. In 2018, she launched Red Table Talk, a Facebook talk show that addresses topics from alopecia to relationships, earning her a Time 100 recognition. She has won a David Angell Humanitarian Award and two NAACP Image Awards.

Filmography.

FILMS · 79

The complete filmography of Jada Pinkett Smith — every film, TV show, and documentary credit, ranked by popularity.

TV

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014
TV

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015
TV

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

2009
TV

Gotham

2014
TV

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

1996
TV

Maverick

1957
TV

The One Show

2006
TV

21 Jump Street

1987
TV

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003
TV

A Different World

1987
TV

Lilo & Stitch: the Series

2003
TV

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

1988
TV

Ellen

1994
TV

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993

Showing 14 of 79 View all 79 films

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Jada Pinkett Smith — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

David Angell Humanitarian Award
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Children
Time 100

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 5

A wall of memorable lines from Jada Pinkett Smith — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

I Just Want Pieces of the World” – in Reference to Her Career
Will Is a Very Interesting, Unique Man, and I’ll Tell You Why. He Makes Love Like a Woman. He Loves to Touch, Massage and Feel. He Makes Love Like He’s in Touch with Himself, Who He Is. and He’s a Very Sensual, Incredible Lovemaker.
I Think Women Who Lead Full Lives Are Better Mothers.
I Don’t Get Afraid in Talking About Subject Matter That May Spark Controversy and I’m Not Afraid to Not Be Liked. I Think That Sometimes People Pay Too Much Attention to Being Liked, and It’s Paralyzing.
If Your Man Can’t Really See Another Woman’s Beauty, How the Hell Is He Gonna See Yours?

Did you know?

FACTS · 39

Little-known facts about Jada Pinkett Smith — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Auditioned for the role of Will Smith’s girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 but was deemed too short. The role went to Nia Long.
Has been with Will Smith since 1995, two years before their marriage.
Attended the Baltimore School for the Arts at the same time as Tupac Shakur. They made a video together at King’s Dominion lip-syncing to Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s Parents Just Don’t Understand.
Five days before shooting Woo 1998, her close friend Tupac Shakur was killed.
She and husband Will Smith own a house in Howard County, Maryland. Smith often plays basketball with children from Homewood High School.
Has been good friends with Carrie-Anne Moss since filming The Matrix Reloaded 2003 and The Matrix Revolutions 2003.
She and Will opened a Planet Hollywood in her hometown, Baltimore in March 1998.
Lead singer of the pop/rock band Wicked Wisdom, known for blending mainstream pop and heavy metal.
Is a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel along with husband Will Smith.
Met lifelong friend Queen Latifah in 1987 when Latifah opened for Public Enemy at Baltimore’s Palladium club. Jada was 16, Queen Latifah was 17.
Sent director Wes Craven a set of steak knives after appearing in his film Scream 2 1997.
She and Will Smith were both cast in DC projects in 2014: Will as Deadshot in Suicide Squad 2016 and Jada as Fish Mooney on Gotham 2014.
Is part-owner of the skin-care line Carol’s Daughter.
Attended the North Carolina School of the Arts for one year but left for California to pursue acting. She is an honorary Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member.
Her father’s family is African-American; her mother’s family is Afro-Caribbean from Barbados and Jamaica.
As a child, she took piano, tap, and ballet classes.
Suffers from thalassophobia fear of the sea, boats, and sailing and acrophobia fear of heights.
Is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
Auditioned unsuccessfully for a vocal spot in The Lion King 1994.
Despite her fear of heights, she volunteered to perform her first skydive over Dubai for husband Will’s 50th birthday. Will celebrated by bungee-jumping from a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.
Is a self-professed comic book geek.
Revealed on Red Table Talk in May 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia areata. In December 2021, she shared a video shaving her head due to the condition.
Has a stepson: Trey Smith born November 11, 1992 with husband Will Smith.
Auditioned for and landed the role of Six LeMeure on Blossom but declined because she felt she would be miserable playing a 12-year-old at age 18. Within two weeks she landed the role of Lena James on A Different World.
She and Will Smith were married in Baltimore while he was on location shooting Enemy of the State 1998.
Her mother Adrienne Banfield Norris went from being a teenage mom, through years of battling heroin addiction, to becoming a nurse and co-host of Red Table Talk.
Friends with Queen Latifah and Kenya Barris.
Voted by readers of Black Men Magazine as one of the 10 sexiest women of the year in 2000.
Has two children: son Jaden Smith born July 8, 1998 and daughter Willow Smith born October 31, 2000 with husband Will Smith.
Received a Tony Award nomination in 2010 as part of the producing team of Fela!.
Toured the US with her heavy metal band Wicked Wisdom, promoting their first single Something Inside of Me, which they performed on Late Show with David Letterman on January 25, 2006.
Enjoys oil painting in her spare time.
Is in pre-production for the film version of Sister Souljah’s novel The Coldest Winter Ever, serving as executive producer.
She and Will Smith were forced to leave their home in California due to a bush fire threatening it.
Was among the guests at Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’s wedding.
Portrayed by Kat Graham in All Eyez on Me 2017.
Older sister of Caleeb Pinkett.
Counts Girls Trip 2017 co-star MC Lyte as one of her closest friends.
Is a singer with the group Wicked Wisdom.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 37

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Jada Pinkett Smith.

What is Jada Pinkett Smith's real name?

Her real name is Jada Koren Pinkett. She was born on September 18, 1971 in Baltimore, Maryland.
When was Jada Pinkett Smith born?

She was born on September 18, 1971. She is currently 54 years old.
Where was Jada Pinkett Smith born?

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. She often identifies with her hometown.
How tall is Jada Pinkett Smith?

She is 5 feet 0 inches tall, or 1.51 meters. Her height is often mentioned in the context of her audition for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith known for?

She played Lena James on A Different World, appeared in The Nutty Professor 1996 and The Matrix Reloaded 2003, and portrayed Fish Mooney on Gotham 2014-2017. She fronts the band Wicked Wisdom and hosts Red Table Talk.
Is Jada Pinkett Smith married?

Yes, she has been married to actor Will Smith since December 31, 1997. They got married in Baltimore while Will was filming Enemy of the State.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have children?

Yes, she has two children with Will Smith: son Jaden Smith born July 8, 1998 and daughter Willow Smith born October 31, 2000. She also has a stepson, Trey Smith born November 11, 1992.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have siblings?

Yes, she has an older sister named Caleeb Pinkett. She also considered Tupac Shakur a close friend, like a brother.
Who are Jada Pinkett Smith's parents?

Her parents are Robsol Grant Pinkett Jr. and Adrienne Banfield Norris, known as Gammy. Her mother was a nurse and later co-host of Red Table Talk.
How many awards has Jada Pinkett Smith won?

She has won at least four major awards: a David Angell Humanitarian Award, two NAACP Image Awards, and a spot on the Time 100 list.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's Instagram handle?

Her Instagram handle is @jadapinkettsmith. She often shares updates about her life and Red Table Talk.
What bands has Jada Pinkett Smith been in?

She fronts the band Wicked Wisdom, which blends pop and heavy metal. The band performed on Late Show with David Letterman in 2006.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's educational background?

She attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she majored in dance and choreography. She also spent a year at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts before leaving to pursue acting.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have any health conditions?

She has alopecia areata, which she revealed in 2018 on Red Table Talk. She also has thalassophobia fear of the sea and acrophobia fear of heights.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's net worth?

Her net worth is not officially disclosed, but she has earned income from acting, producing, her music career, and Red Table Talk.
How did Jada Pinkett Smith meet Will Smith?

She auditioned for the role of his girlfriend on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 but was told she was too short. They met again and began dating in 1995, marrying in 1997.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's race?

She is of African-American and Afro-Caribbean descent. Her maternal grandparents were from Barbados and Jamaica.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's talk show?

She hosts Red Table Talk on Facebook Watch, a talk show that started in 2018 and features her mother Adrienne and daughter Willow.
Did Jada Pinkett Smith attend Duke University?

According to records, she attended Duke University, but she also studied at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for one year.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's shoe size?

Her shoe size is not listed, but her height is 5 feet 0 inches.
How many children does Jada Pinkett Smith have?

She has two biological children with Will Smith: Jaden and Willow. She also has a stepson, Trey.
What movies did Jada Pinkett Smith star in?

She appeared in Menace II Society 1993, The Nutty Professor 1996, Scream 2 1997, The Matrix Reloaded 2003, and Collateral 2004, among others.
What TV shows has Jada Pinkett Smith been in?

She was a regular on A Different World 1991-1993 and played Fish Mooney on Gotham 2014-2017. She also made guest appearances on various shows.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have a fear of water?

Yes, she has thalassophobia, a fear of the sea, boats, and sailing. She also has acrophobia, a fear of heights.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's zodiac sign?

She was born on September 18, 1971, making her a Virgo.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have any pets?

There is no specific mention of pets in the source record, but she has shared her love for animals.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's favorite movie?

She is a fan of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.
Did Jada Pinkett Smith know Tupac Shakur?

Yes, she was a classmate at the Baltimore School for the Arts and they became close friends. They made a music video together for Parents Just Don’t Understand.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's band Wicked Wisdom?

Wicked Wisdom is a pop/rock band fronted by Jada. They released a single Something Inside of Me and toured the US in 2006.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's role on Gotham?

She played Fish Mooney, a villainous nightclub owner and crime boss, on the Fox series from 2014 to 2017.
Has Jada Pinkett Smith won a Tony Award?

She received a Tony Award nomination in 2010 for Best Musical as a producer of Fela!, but did not win.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's connection to Carol's Daughter?

She is a part-owner of the skin-care line Carol’s Daughter, which is known for natural products.
Does Jada Pinkett Smith have a fear of heights?

Yes, she has acrophobia, but she still did a skydive for Will Smith’s 50th birthday.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's favorite hobby?

She enjoys oil painting in her spare time.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's most famous film role?

Her most famous film role is arguably Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
Is Jada Pinkett Smith on Twitter?

Yes, her Twitter handle is @jadapsmith.
What is Jada Pinkett Smith's Facebook page?

Her Facebook ID is jada.

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Published on July 20, 2026

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Jada Pinkett Smith.

TL;DR

Early life

Career

Personal life

Legacy

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Gotham

Sabrina, the Teenage Witch

Maverick

The One Show

21 Jump Street

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

A Different World

Lilo & Stitch: the Series

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

Ellen

Late Night with Conan O'Brien