The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air Cast: Where Are They Now In 2024/2025? (Recent Projects & Shocking Comebacks)

The legacy of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air remains untouchable, nearly three decades after the final episode aired. The show wasn't just a sitcom; it was a cultural phenomenon that launched careers, tackled serious social issues, and gave us one of the most beloved on-screen families in television history: the Banks family. With the show’s enduring popularity and the dramatic success of the reboot, *Bel-Air*, fans are constantly curious about the original cast members.

As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the original cast members are busier than ever, proving that the move to Bel-Air was just the first step in their incredible careers. From Hollywood blockbusters and major network hosting gigs to new ventures in authorship and social entrepreneurship, here is a deep dive into what the iconic cast of *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* is doing now, complete with their complete career profiles and most recent projects.

The Banks Family & Co.: Complete Biography Profiles and Recent Updates

The core cast members have all carved out unique paths since leaving the mansion in Bel-Air. Here is a look at their vital stats and what they are working on today.

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• Will Smith (Will Smith)
  • Born: September 25, 1968 (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Role: Will Smith (The Fresh Prince)
  • Career Highlights: Grammy-winning rapper (DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince), Oscar-winning actor (*King Richard*), blockbusters like *Men in Black*, *Independence Day*, and *Bad Boys*.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): Stars in the highly anticipated film *Bad Boys: Ride or Die* (June 2024). He is also attached to major sequels, including *I Am Legend 2* and *Aladdin 2*, and has announced plans for his first new album in 20 years.
• Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)
  • Born: September 21, 1971 (New York, NY)
  • Role: Carlton Banks (The Cousin Who Loves Sweaters)
  • Career Highlights: Starred in Broadway's *The Tap Dance Kid*, won *Dancing with the Stars* Season 19, and is forever associated with "The Carlton Dance."
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): Serves as the host of ABC's *America's Funniest Home Videos* and is the co-host of *Dancing with the Stars* alongside Julianne Hough. He also hosted the HGV Tournament of Champions and launched the new wildlife show *Jack Hanna's Passport* in April 2024.
• Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks)
  • Born: January 24, 1979 (North Bellmore, NY)
  • Role: Ashley Banks (The Sweet Young Cousin)
  • Career Highlights: Harvard University graduate, Grammy-nominated singer for her album *Kiss The Sky*, and star of numerous Hallmark and Lifetime movies.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): Launched a social enterprise called "Baby Yams" in April 2024, a quilt line focused on supporting Black Maternal Health initiatives. She remains active in film and television, often starring in holiday and drama features.
• Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks)
  • Born: October 8, 1966 (Los Angeles, CA)
  • Role: Hilary Banks (The Fashion Icon)
  • Career Highlights: Actress and co-creator/star of the sitcom *Lush Life*. She is now a celebrated author and founder of a non-profit organization.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): She is the founder of Sweet Blackberry, a non-profit dedicated to bringing little-known stories of Black achievement to children. She is also a successful author, publishing middle-grade novels like *How High The Moon* and picture books such as *Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dream Took Flight*.
• Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler)
  • Born: August 14, 1948 (St. Lucia)
  • Role: Geoffrey Butler (The Sarcastic Butler)
  • Career Highlights: Respected Shakespearean actor and a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): Continues his extensive stage career, starring in a 2025 touring stage production of the classical work *Lost Markus Passion*. He was also featured in the second series of the BBC comedy *Mammoth*, commissioned in May 2024.
• Janet Hubert (Original Vivian Banks)
  • Born: January 13, 1956 (Chicago, IL)
  • Role: Vivian Banks (Seasons 1–3)
  • Career Highlights: Broadway star, known for her powerful portrayal of the original Aunt Viv.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): After a famous reconciliation with Will Smith, she made a major guest appearance in the fourth and final season of Peacock's dramatic reboot, *Bel-Air*.
• Daphne Maxwell Reid (Second Vivian Banks)
  • Born: July 13, 1948 (New York, NY)
  • Role: Vivian Banks (Seasons 4–6)
  • Career Highlights: The first African-American woman to grace the cover of *Glamour* magazine, co-founder of New Millennium Studios.
  • Recent Projects (2024/2025): She continues to act in independent films like *Shenandoah* and *Do Not Answer!* and is an accomplished photographer and designer, publishing books of her work.
• James Avery (Philip Banks)
  • Born: November 17, 1945 (Pughsville, VA)
  • Role: Philip Banks (Uncle Phil)
  • Legacy: Passed away on December 31, 2013, due to complications from open-heart surgery. He is remembered by the cast as the "patriarch" and a mentor. His character's legacy lives on in the dramatic retelling of Uncle Phil in the *Bel-Air* reboot.

Will Smith’s Hollywood Reign and The Fresh Prince’s Musical Comeback

Will Smith, the titular "Fresh Prince," has arguably had the most stratospheric career post-sitcom. While his acting career has seen him become one of the highest-paid and most recognizable stars in the world, his recent activities show a return to his roots and a focus on blockbuster action.

In 2024, the anticipation is sky-high for the latest installment in his long-running franchise, *Bad Boys: Ride or Die*, a major summer release. This film reinforces his status as a marquee action star. Looking ahead, Smith is attached to several massive projects, including the sequels *I Am Legend 2* and *Aladdin 2*, demonstrating his continued dominance in both sci-fi and family-friendly genres.

Perhaps the most unexpected news, however, is his announced return to music. Smith has teased the release of his first new album in two decades, titled *Based on a True Story*, signaling a full-circle moment for the actor who started his career as a Grammy-winning rapper with DJ Jazzy Jeff.

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From Carlton Dance to Co-Host: Alfonso Ribeiro’s TV Empire

Alfonso Ribeiro, who played the preppy, lovable, and often clueless Carlton Banks, has successfully transitioned from acting to becoming one of television’s most consistent and recognizable hosts. The man famous for "The Carlton Dance" is now a staple of American reality and clip-show television.

Ribeiro is currently the host of *America's Funniest Home Videos* (AFV), a role he has held since 2015, and he also serves as the co-host of the long-running competition series *Dancing with the Stars*. His dual-hosting duties place him on primetime network television almost year-round.

In 2024, Ribeiro expanded his hosting portfolio, taking on the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions and launching a new wildlife-focused program, *Jack Hanna's Passport*, which debuted in April 2024. His career pivot highlights his natural charm and ability to connect with a live audience, solidifying his status as a major television personality.

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The Banks Sisters: New Ventures in Entrepreneurship and Authorship

The actresses who played the Banks sisters, Hilary and Ashley, have taken their careers in fascinating, meaningful directions, focusing on off-screen endeavors that reflect their personal passions.

Tatyana Ali: Championing Black Maternal Health

Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks) has shifted her focus to social entrepreneurship. In a powerful move in April 2024, she launched "Baby Yams," a quilt line and social enterprise aimed at raising awareness and funds for the Black Maternal Health crisis. Her advocacy work, combined with her acting projects, shows a commitment to using her platform for serious social issues. Fans were also delighted to see a mini-reunion in June 2024 when she was spotted with Alfonso Ribeiro at a Zumba class, proving the Banks cousins are still close.

Karyn Parsons: Author and Educator

Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks) has fully embraced her role as an author and non-profit founder. Her organization, Sweet Blackberry, produces animated films and educational materials to teach children about unsung heroes of Black history.

As an author, Parsons has published successful middle-grade novels, including *How High The Moon* and *Clouds Over California*, and she frequently appears as a speaker at educational events across the country, sharing her journey and promoting literacy. Her work champions stories of resilience and achievement, a powerful evolution from her role as the fashion-obsessed Hilary Banks.

The Legacy of Uncle Phil and the Aunt Vivs

No discussion of the cast is complete without acknowledging the late James Avery, whose portrayal of Philip Banks was the moral center of the show. Avery passed away in 2013, but his legacy as "Uncle Phil" continues to be honored by the cast, who often refer to him as the true patriarch.

In a major piece of recent news, Janet Hubert, the original Vivian Banks (Aunt Viv 1.0), made headlines in 2024 when she was announced as a guest star in the fourth and final season of the dramatic reboot, *Bel-Air*. This appearance follows her emotional reconciliation with Will Smith during the 2020 cast reunion, officially putting their long-standing feud to rest and bringing a fresh, full-circle moment to the franchise.

Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv 2.0) has also remained active, not only in acting but in the world of photography and film production. She and her husband, Tim Reid, co-founded New Millennium Studios, one of the first full-service film studios in the United States owned by an African-American couple.

Geoffrey and Jazz: What the Supporting Stars Are Doing

Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey, the sarcastic butler) continues to pursue his passion for theater. In 2025, he is slated to star as the Evangelist in a touring stage production of *Lost Markus Passion*, showcasing his classical acting chops. He was also involved in the second series of the BBC comedy *Mammoth*, commissioned in May 2024.

DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazz, Will's best friend) remains a highly successful music producer and DJ. While his acting was mostly confined to the sitcom, his musical career alongside Will Smith (as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince) is legendary. He continues to tour and produce, keeping the hip-hop spirit of the show alive.