Biography
Who is Jada Pinkett Smith?
Early life and real name
Jada Pinkett Smith was born Jada Koren Pinkett in Baltimore, United States, on September 18, 1971. Her mother is Adrienne Pinkett. Growing up in Baltimore, she attended the Baltimore School for the Arts, where she studied acting and dance before graduating in 1989. She also spent a year at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and studied at Duke University.
During her youth in Baltimore, she participated in a competitive after-school arts program and developed a strong passion for the performing arts. Her grandmother enrolled her in piano, tap dance, and ballet lessons, helping lay the groundwork for her future career in the entertainment industry.
How Jada became famous
Jada Pinkett Smith landed her major breakthrough on the television sitcom A Different World in 1991, playing college freshman Lena James. She joined the cast during its fourth season and remained on the hit show until its final season, establishing her presence in television.
Following her television success, she transitioned to film acting with roles in movies such as Menace II Society in 1993, The Nutty Professor in 1996 alongside Eddie Murphy, and Set It Off in 1996. These early film appearances helped propel her to greater prominence in Hollywood.
Career highlights
Throughout her career, Jada has appeared in numerous major motion pictures. She played human rebel Niobe in the science fiction sequels The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003, and later reprised the role in The Matrix Resurrections in 2021.
In addition to live-action films, she voiced characters in the animated Madagascar film series. She also starred in television dramas such as Hawthorne from 2009 to 2011 and Gotham from 2014 to 2017, while co-hosting the talk show Red Table Talk.
Music and writing
Beyond acting, Jada pursued a career in music as the lead vocalist of the nu metal band Wicked Wisdom during the 2000s, exploring genres including rock music and hip-hop. She also directed several music videos for various artists.
In 2005, she published a children's book titled Girls Hold Up This World, which achieved commercial success by reaching number two on The New York Times Best Seller list and later earned her an NAACP Image Award.
Personal life and height
Jada Pinkett Smith stands at a height of 153 centimeters. She is married to Will Smith, and together they have two children named Jaden Smith and Willow Smith. The couple also founded the media production company Westbrook in 2019.
Over the course of her career, she has received several honors, including a Daytime Emmy Award, multiple NAACP Image Awards, and recognition on the Time 100 list of influential people in the world.
Birthday and age
Jada Pinkett Smith was born on September 18, 1971, which makes Jada 55 years old today. That birthday falls under the Virgo sign. Jada shares the date with 30 other famous people.
Explore more
