Will Smith Mourns Quincy Jones' Death, Calls Him the 'Definition of a Mentor'
Will Smith got his start in acting thanks to late songwriter, producer and composer Quincy Jones . In a series of social media posts, the Academy Award-winning actor is grieving the loss of Jones, who was his mentor and close friend.
Jones, 91, reportedly died at his Bel-Air home on Sunday (November 3) while surrounded by family and friends. "Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing," reads a statement from the family. "And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him."
Among those who considered themselves an extended family member to Jones was Smith, who mourned the loss on Monday (November 4) on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Quincy Jones is the definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend. He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself," Smith wrote in one post with a photoset showing him and Jones during their time on former NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. "He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly."
The second post showed two additional photos of Smith and Jones on the show, which lasted for six seasons from 1990 to 1996.
Smith was a rapper as part of Philadelphia hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince when Jones pursued him for the titular role of Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. As recounted in Smith's 2021 memoir, Will, Jones had him audition during a party held at his mansion, per Vanity Fair .
Smith frequently talked about his friendship with Jones throughout the years, recalling how they met in a 2018 vlog, and Complex's 360 With Speedy earlier this year.
"I have no recollection of what I said and what I did. It was just a standing ovation. Everybody stood up and clapped," Smith said about his audition around the 9:30-minute mark of the video below. "And Quincy pointed to the head of NBC, he said, Did you like it?' And he said 'Yeah Quincy, I liked it. [Quincy] said 'Don't you bullshit me, I'm asking you did you like it!'
Smith continued, "Quincy had everybody's lawyers come to the house that night. He said, 'I need a deal memo tonight.' He understands magic."