The Banks Family: A Complete Cast Biography and Profile
The core cast of *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air* created one of television's most beloved and dynamic families. Here is a look at the essential biographical details for the main actors.
- Will Smith (Will Smith)
- Date of Birth: September 25, 1968
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Key Roles: *Men in Black*, *Ali*, *The Pursuit of Happyness*, *King Richard* (Oscar Winner)
- Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)
- Date of Birth: September 21, 1971
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Key Roles: *Silver Spoons*, Host of *America's Funniest Home Videos* and *Dancing with the Stars*
- Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks)
- Date of Birth: October 8, 1966
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
- Key Roles: *Major Payne*, Founder of Sweet Blackberry
- Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks)
- Date of Birth: January 24, 1979
- Birthplace: North Bellmore, New York, USA
- Key Roles: *Kiss the Girls*, *The Young and the Restless*, Musician (Album: *Kiss The Sky*)
- Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler)
- Date of Birth: August 18, 1948
- Birthplace: St. Lucia, British West Indies
- Key Roles: Royal Shakespeare Company member, *The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind*
- Janet Hubert (Vivian Banks, Seasons 1-3)
- Date of Birth: January 13, 1956
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Key Roles: Original Broadway cast of *Cats*, Guest Star on *Bel-Air* (2025)
- Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian Banks, Seasons 4-6)
- Date of Birth: July 13, 1948
- Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA
- Key Roles: *Frank's Place*, Photographer, Designer, Cookbook Author
- James Avery (Philip Banks)
- Date of Death: December 31, 2013
- Key Roles: Voice of Shredder in *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles*, *The Closer*
What the Original Cast Members Are Doing Now in 2025
The cast’s post-*Fresh Prince* careers demonstrate incredible versatility, spanning blockbuster cinema, prime-time hosting, and powerful social activism. Their enduring presence in entertainment confirms the show’s status as a launchpad for lasting success.
Will Smith’s Blockbusters and New Music
Will Smith remains one of Hollywood's most bankable and recognizable stars. Following his Oscar win for *King Richard*, Smith has continued to focus on producing and starring in major feature films, cementing his status as a global icon and A-list actor. In a move that delighted his original fanbase, Smith also recently returned to his musical roots, releasing his latest studio album, *Based on a True Story*, in March 2025. His career is a testament to the successful transition from TV sitcom star to a multi-hyphenate creative force.
In a touching recent event, Smith was seen paying tribute to the late James Avery (Uncle Phil) in March 2025, highlighting the deep, familial bond that persists among the cast members, even years after the show and Avery’s passing in 2013.
Alfonso Ribeiro: The King of Prime-Time Hosting
Alfonso Ribeiro, who famously played the preppy, dance-loving Carlton Banks, has become a fixture in American prime-time television. As of late 2025, Ribeiro is the co-host of ABC’s flagship reality competition, *Dancing with the Stars*, alongside Julianne Hough. He also continues his long-running role as the host of the beloved clip show, *America's Funniest Home Videos* (*AFV*), which is currently in its 35th season. His hosting duties also include the Saturday morning wildlife series, *Jack Hanna's Passport*. Ribeiro's career showcases an impressive pivot from acting to a highly successful career as a television host and personality.
Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell, and Karyn Parsons’ Diverse Ventures
The rest of the Banks family has pursued equally compelling, though less Hollywood-centric, career paths:
- Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks): The former child star continues to act, primarily in television films. In late 2024, she starred in the Lifetime film *Giving Hope: The Ni'cola Mitchell Story*, showcasing her commitment to roles in inspirational and true-story narratives.
- Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler): The classically trained Saint Lucian-born British actor remains active in film and television. In 2024, he appeared in the film adaptation of the comic book *Hellboy The Crooked Man* as Reverend Watts, and also had a role in the TV series *Queenie* as Grandad Wilfred. Marcell also previously made a guest appearance in the *Bel-Air* reboot, playing a different character named Roman.
- Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks): Parsons has largely stepped away from acting to focus on her non-profit organization, Sweet Blackberry. Founded with a powerful mission, Sweet Blackberry creates animated films and educational materials to share little-known stories of Black achievement and history with children. Parsons is also an accomplished author of children's books, continuing her work to educate and inspire.
The Bel-Air Reboot: Janet Hubert’s Surprise Return in the Final Season
The dramatic reboot, *Bel-Air*, has been a major success, offering a darker, more complex take on the original premise. The show's fourth and final season, which premiered on November 24, 2025, has generated significant buzz for its casting news.
In a highly anticipated announcement, Janet Hubert, the original actress who played Vivian Banks (Aunt Viv) in the first three seasons of *The Fresh Prince*, was cast in a guest role for the final season of *Bel-Air*. Hubert will portray a new character—a mentor figure—rather than the Banks matriarch, who is played in the reboot by Cassandra Freeman. This appearance is significant, as it follows her emotional reconciliation with Will Smith during the 2020 reunion special, putting a definitive end to their decades-long public feud. Her participation in the final season of the modern version of the show is a major moment for fans of the entire franchise.
Hubert joins other original cast members who have made appearances in the reboot, including Daphne Maxwell Reid (the second Aunt Viv) and Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey). This cross-pollination between the classic sitcom and its modern counterpart demonstrates a powerful sense of unity and respect for the show’s enduring legacy. *Bel-Air* Season 4 is set to conclude the new narrative with an eight-episode run, dropping weekly after the initial three-episode premiere.
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