There’s no escaping that actor and entertainer Will Smith is one of the most iconic and talented stars of this generation. He’s blessed a variety of mediums with his charm and, in some cases, his anger. For right now, he’s being honored in probably the best possible way that he could be: a street in West Philadelphia named in honor of him.
If you didn’t know, Smith is from West Philadelphia, where he was born and raised. He spent most of his days playing basketball with his classmates on local playgrounds. However, if that doesn’t spark any particular memories, maybe his time on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will. His iconic role helped shape the actor he turned into, and many people owe their love for his work to his character, Will Smith.
“Philly, I am yours. This is the honor of a lifetime. 💚”
The street, now known as Will Smith Way, will cover the north 2,000 to 1,900 blocks on 59th Street in West Philadelphia. To honor this moment, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker held a conference, where Smith made a short speech, thanking the city for everything it’s done for him. The actor was even wearing a varsity jacket from his old high school donning both his name and the year he graduated. The mayor was also photographed wearing a matching jacket.
Will Smith shared the moment with city residents and his mother, Caroline Bright, a former school board administrator. Everyone really came out and showed up, as hundreds of people could be seen taking photographs and sharing their stories with the actor. In one of the photos, a gentleman wearing a sweater with the new street name can be seen as the two stand in front of a mural of Smith. Will Smith has become a pinnacle of the city since his celebrity status skyrocketed, and I can only hope he will continue to be a positive force in Hollywood.
