Will Smith Once Recalled Contemplating Suicide & Feeling Like A ‘Coward’ After He Saw His Father Hit His Mother: “It Was All My Failure In My Mind”

Will Smith, a renowned actor and rapper, is celebrated for his remarkable journey from modest beginnings to becoming a leading Hollywood figure. Despite his success, Smith often gets emotional discussing his challenging childhood, particularly the abuse he witnessed at the hands of his father. He has openly shared that witnessing his father’s violence towards his mother led him to have suicidal thoughts.

Smith’s entertainment career began in music, forming half of the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. His transition to acting was marked by his debut in the 1992 film “Where The Day Takes You,” which solidified his status as a prominent actor.

In a candid discussion on his YouTube series “Will Smith: Best Shape Of My Life,” Smith recounted a traumatic childhood incident. He recalled the night his father, Willard Sr., assaulted his mother, Caroline Bright, an event that deeply impacted him and led to thoughts of suicide. Smith described this period as a significant low point, feeling like a failure and considering himself a coward for not intervening.

During the conversation, Smith’s mother was present and offered support. She reassured him that he wasn’t a coward and explained her efforts to maintain peace between her husband and children.

In his autobiography, “Will,” Smith delves deeper into the specifics of that night, revealing the horrifying scene of his father physically abusing his mother, an incident that left a lasting impression on him and his siblings.

Recently, Smith has been in the news for various personal revelations. Among these is the disclosure by his estranged wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, that they have been living separately since 2016, though they haven’t officially divorced. This separation was in effect during the time of the 2022 Oscars incident where Smith confronted comedian Chris Rock.