Will Smith gets a street named after him in his hometown of Philadelphia: 'This is the honor of a lifetime'
Philadelphia renamed a section of 59th Street as Will Smith Way, honouring the Hancock star in his hometown.
Hollywood star Will Smith’s legacy now has a permanent place on the streets of Philadelphia. On Wednesday, the Oscar-winning actor, returned to his hometown to commemorate a portion of 59th Street being renamed Will Smith Way, a tribute to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star.
"Philly, I am yours. This is the honor of a lifetime," Will shared on Instagram alongside photos from the event, where he posed with Philadelphia mayor Cherelle L. Parker and other city officials. His mother, Caroline Bright, was also present by his side during the ceremony. The post featured images and a video capturing the sign reading Will Smith Way displayed over a bridge.
"Hey, Philly. I love you. I am yours, you are mine. I will see you on the Fourth of July," the 56-year-old actor said in another clip included in his Instagram post.
Following the ceremony, Philadelphia mayor Parker, expressed admiration for Will’s journey in her own Instagram post, calling it "nothing short of inspiring."
"From his roots of being born and raised in West Philadelphia, to his rise as a global superstar, he’s shown us all what it means to dream big and work hard," Parker wrote. "We are incredibly proud to call @willsmith one of our own. His achievements are a reflection of the strength, resilience, and brilliance of Philadelphia’s people. As we rename 2000 N. 59th Street in Will’s honor today, let’s celebrate everything he represents — creativity, kindness, and the power of community," he added.
Will is also preparing for the release of his first full-length album in two decades. Titled Based on a True Story, the album arrives on March 28 and marks his first LP since Lost and Found in 2005. The project features collaborations with longtime musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff, along with Teyana Taylor and Jack Ross.
As he gears up for the album’s release, Will has been reflecting on his early career and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Recently, he honoured James Avery, known for his role as Uncle Phil on the beloved sitcom, during a concert in Las Vegas.
