Jaden Smith Biography

Born in Malibu, California, Jaden Smith is the son of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. At the age of five he made his acting debut on the WB TV sitcom All of Us, co-created and co-produced by his parents. Jaden Smith played Reggie, while his older half-brother Trey Smith played Darryl.

In 2006, Jaden made his film debut in the Sony release The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), playing his father's son. When Will was reading the script prior to shooting, Jaden asked what it was about. After hearing the story, he expressed interest in playing the boy.

Jaden Smith father explained that he'd have to audition for the role, just like anyone else, so he did, and made the first cut. "I was in his corner, but I didn't have his back. Jaden Smith earned the job himself, and that's the way it's supposed to be," Will told the Ocean Country Observer.

The filmmakers looked at 100 kids during the audition process. Producer Jason Blumenthal says, "Then we met Jaden Smith and it was night and day. Jaden was this kid. Jaden Smith came in with sincerity, honesty and rawness. We cast the absolute best person for the job."

Since then, he played a small role in the blockbuster film The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) and the title role in The Karate Kid (2010), opposite Jackie Chan.