Jaden Smith Follows In Will's Footsteps

Eight-Year-Old Stars In Dad's Film, 'The Pursuit of Happyness'

(CBS)  Will Smith has a special co-star in his latest, critically acclaimed film, "The Pursuit of Happyness": his 8-year-old son, Jaden.

When asked if it’s a good idea to expose his son to Hollywood, Smith said, "With Jaden and I, this is what we do.

"So, if there's any situation to put our children into, it's a situation that is our greatest sphere of knowledge," Smith told The Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith. "We could be of the most assistance. It's not like there's somewhere else in the world that's gonna be easier."

On the other hand, Will Smith said, "The business is a beast."

To offset any possible bad side effects of working in the movie industry, Smith said he and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, made sure to work with people like director Gabriele Muchino, who Smith said has worked brilliantly with children in the past.

"And (he) has children of his own, so he understood and really protected Jaden's delicate sensibilities," Smith added.

Jaden said, "It's kinda cool" working with his very famous father, but he admitted, "I thought it was extremely harder than I thought it was gonna be. ... because I thought he tricked me, because I thought it was gonna be a comedy, 'cause he does 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air,' 'Men in Black,' all that stuff that's funny. And then he just comes up with a drama."

"He told me he was a little nervous about cryin'" Will Smith said.

"Were you embarrassed about cryin'? Or what, what was the thing? Or you just didn't feel like it?" Smith asked his son.

"I didn't feel like it," Jaden said. "I didn't feel like it, and like, it's hard. But I just knew I could do it."

"You weren't scared or anything with the cryin'?" Smith wondered. "'Cause like, he really, he really didn't want … to do it, you know. I'm walkin' him around for about 15 minutes after the scene. And I'm sayin', 'It's OK, man. You know, you're a great actor. Relax.' And he goes, 'I wanna make comedies.' "

If Jayden decides acting isn't for him, perhaps he could fall back on his dad's first career, as a rapper! During the interview, he broke into a rap called "Candle Guy," by rapper T.I. and Justin Timberlake.

[John_Merritt]

Normally I am an opponent of parents pushing their children into anything. It sounds as though Jaden wants to 'be like my Dad' and what better tutelage than to learn from your Pops.

I think if fathers became more actively involved with their children at a young age, their might be more individual and familial stability as each unit gows. Just a guess, but its cool that Will hangs with his son and gives him some guidance from the 'hounds of hollywood'. Have a great weekend guys.

[sevin32]

I think it's an awesome experiance. I think that when a parent starts to push their children and make them do so much is when you start to have problems. This is his first time and he is only 8. We as parents should give our children a mind frame that you can do whatever you want. How will they know what they want to do if you dont allow them to try new things. Will and Jada "seem" like very caring and loving parents. I think they are asking him how he feels about everything.

[xoleigh]

Leave kids alone. Let them go to school and have friends. Not people who want to be their friend because they were in the movie they saw over the weekend. Try something new.