Will Smith: My Work Ethic Is "Sickening"

Star Tells Steve Kroft It Compensates For Average Talent

(CBS)  This segment was originally broadcast on Dec. 2, 2007. It was updated on June 26, 2008.

Of all the stories in Hollywood, there is not another one like Will Smith's. At age 39, he has already had three successful careers: Grammy award winning rapper, sitcom sensation, and finally one of the biggest movie stars on the planet.

With two Oscar nominations and almost four and a half billion dollars in box office receipts to his credit, a movie starring Will Smith is about as close as you get to having a sure thing, whether it's science fiction, romantic comedy, or a summer blockbuster, like his latest effort, "Hancock," which opens nationwide on July 2.

And as correspondent Steve Kroft first reported last December, there is an ease and enthusiasm about him that transcends race and cultural boundaries, and it is one of the reasons so many people like him.

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Asked what he thinks his appeal is, Smith tells Kroft, "I love living, I think that's infectious. It's somethin' that you can't fake."

"And I think that the camera can feel that I'm happy doin' what I do. And it's somethin' that gets inside of people," he adds.

It is swagger with a smile, confidence with cool, and wit grounded in wisdom -- someone who knows who he is, and where he is going. And it has made him one of the most popular and powerful actors in Hollywood.

Why does he think he has been so successful?

"I've never really viewed myself as particularly talented. I've viewed myself as slightly above average in talent. And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. You know, while the other guy's sleeping? I'm working. While the other guy's eatin’? I'm working. While the other guy's making love, I mean, I'm making love, too. But I'm working really hard at it," he tells Kroft, laughing.

That he makes it look just the opposite is testament to his personality and his skill as an actor. He likes the fact that you never see him sweat unless you are supposed to, or notice the emotional capital expended as a homeless father with a hungry son, or the commitment it took to become Muhammad Ali.

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Photos: Multi-talented Mr. Smith
Photos: Smith Family Album
Photos: A New York "Legend"

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Or the sheer challenge of his last film "I Am Legend," in which he was required to hold the screen, all by himself, for over an hour, as the survivor of biological outbreak that has wiped out most of the world. And he managed to pull it off.

The instincts and the work ethic come from his middle class upbringing in Philadelphia. His mother was a school administrator, his father owned a refrigeration company.

One summer, his dad tore down a brick wall in the front of his business and told 12-year-old Will and his 9-year-old brother to rebuild it, a job they said was impossible. It took them a year and a half, but they did it.

"And he said, 'Now, don't you ever tell me there's somethin' that you can't do.' And walked right through that door, went inside. And me and my brother stood here and looked. And said, 'Daddy crazy as hell, ain't he?'" Smith recalls, laughing.

The wall is still there, and so is the lesson he learned from building it. "I just put my head down and lay the first brick," Smith explains.

Later that afternoon, outside the Philadelphia house where he grew up, Smith and Kroft ran into his father. Asked what kind of kid Will Smith was, if he was trouble, his father told Kroft, "Not at all. Not at all."

"Listen, anytime you're willin' to choke your kids, there ain't gonna be no trouble," Smith joked, laughing.

It was part of a tour that included what he called the best cheese steak in Philly, and a trip to his alma mater, Overbrook High, the same school that produced basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain.

A few minutes, later Smith and Kroft were besieged. As Smith tells it, he was a B-student who should have been making A’s. But the teachers were so charmed they called him "the prince."

Smith has a natural tendency to draw everyone into a spotlight that began shining on him before he ever left Overbrook High, like Charlie Mack, his old friend, and Jeff Townes, his partner in a teen rap duo called "DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince."

There was something mesmerizing about the Fresh Prince and the videos that helped move the music from the streets into the mainstream. They won the first Grammy ever awarded for rap, providing the show business platform that would eventually launch Will Smith into the stratosphere.

[michaelwsmit]

Will if your truely interested in making a difference in the world. My name is Michael Smith and I''m currently working on my 3rd US Patent. It''s involved with clean alternative energy use for everyone. I have filled out and submitted 60 minutes form Sunday evening after seeing your interview with Steve Kroft. The form has my contact information on it.

A very strong profile of an actor I greatly admire.

Will, if you are really looking for something to do that will make a difference -- I''d suggest you devote the next six month to to Barrack Obama''s campaign. Think about where you can go that will make a difference. It''s hard to imagine what you might do otherwise that would help make a better future.

[bettyzoe]

will smith very fortunate.Idea:Have Hitch,hitch some of that 200 acre estate to a grassroots cause like homelessness in LA, NY,?just that & that would be alot.succeed, it will take years,but things will get better.making it "easier to be good" (Peter Maurin/Dorothy Day)isn''t easy,but can be done.

[bettyzoe]

Will Smith has been very lucky that his hard work has brought him millions.even better, that he wants to give back :big".I have a suggestion:how about selling some of that 200 acre estate & help in concret ways to "make it easier for people to be good"(Peter Maurin/Dorothy Day).pick a place in LA,Philly,NY,? eliminate homelessness to start.pick one need. accomplish that with help from experts, make a model & go from there.one spot to check out The Fortune Society - www.fortunesociety.com web site. if there''s ever a group who has done the hard work & very often been successful.Let Hitch, hitch himself to one groundroots effort & take it on the road & go from there.Others would follow - people with money love success & what better success than to help another human being sleep in a warm safe bed & not be hungry.
thanks. continued success. B.

[daffadill7]

George Carlin, the wordsmith of an era just died. A loss to comedy, social commentary, and to intellectual populace and 60 minutes interviews Will Smith? Will Smith, a hard working man? Aren''t all actors hard working who love their craft? The absurpity of your lack of timeless not include a restropective on George Carlin''s life, is a sad comment to your "news" agency. News is news because of the timeliness of when the news happens.

I am gratefuly for Public Broadcasting''s news, reporting when it happens regardless of their market share, Neilsen ratings. Get guts 60 minutes.

[sociald63]

will smith thinks he''s the black version of tom cruise - they are both irritating, by the way :)

[macksimize]

A comment was made that "If I had his cash, my work ethic would be sickening too",well it doesn''t quite work like that. The attitude comes before the paycheck. He has the cash because of his work ethic which comes first.

Also someone believes that "luck" plays a major role in success, nothing could be further from the truth. When preparation meets opportunity massive success is possible. They were prapared when an opportunity came their way to advance their careers. Are you prepared? www. macksimize. com

[hypnotoad72]

geezer62 - "offshoring" has many a factory worker, and far more people not all of which work in factories, worried.

True, actors work long days. Look at the rewards. Let''s become a nation of actors and all our money troubles will disappear. After all, what''s quality assembly or quality application development when we can all thrust our egos on a 60 foot screen and let everybody whine how expensive it is to get just to see us flaunt how cooooool we are...

[slim1h2o]

Work Ethic??????????? LOL,, If I had his cash, my work ethic would be sickening too..LOL Keep up the good work.

[geezer62]

FlangeSqueal....
There''s nothing I like more than a polite response when I post. I must say that your reply had all the class of a street prostitute having a bad day. Didn''t your mommy teach you any manners? You make many assumptions about me and I''m wondering how you know all the things you mention. I won''t even try to deal with each stupid comment. But I will say that it sounds like you have a terrible crush on your boy Tom. "Bushy eyebrows, Pouty lips", come on boy try to control yourself. I"ll bet you talk about all your boyfriends like that don''t ya. Watch it though, Katie might kick your little azz.

[mythoughtsr]

geezer62, I have to agree with you. I don''t think there are too many people among us who wouldn''t want to have untold millions in the bank. However, not everyone gets to get the actor, the actress, the CEO, the president of a company. Unfortunately, in any modern society, someone has to clean the toilets that the CEO uses and that''s just life.

Will Smith was in the right place at the right time and he has talent and yeah, sure, there was some luck thrown in there too but many actors were "discovered" and it''s luck.

[geezer62]

FlangeSqueal...
Hay buddy, how are things at the trailer park today. What a low class post. You don''t know these people so where do you get off with the cheap shots? I met Tom several years age and he was a really nice guy. Didn''t come off as conceited in any way. His religion is his business and he never brought it up. As for you use of the word c**n you need to wake up and join the 21st century. It is not smart, it is not cute, and it is not acceptable. You call the wrong guy something like that and you''ll wake up wearing your azz for a hat. Oh yes, everyone that lives in a trailer park is not low class.

[geezer62]

yongamerica...I understand your post but let me add some information you may not be aware of. I worked in the studios in L.A.for several years in a variety of positions. I spent countless hours on the set and on location. Believe me when I tell you that actors work very hard. I don''t mean to infer that factory workers don''t work hard but the things required from an actor are very difficult. It is not unusual for an actor to work 16 to 18 hour days. Even if they are not actually in front of the camera they are working. They have to memorize their lines which is not as easy as one might think. There are sometimes extreme physical demands that the actor must be able to handle. For someone like Will Smith going out in public is almost impossible. He can''t run to the grocery store or go get gas like you can. He must pay taxes, agents, managers, publicists...the list goes on and on. While the factory worker knows that if he goes to work he will most likely have a job tomorrow, the actor must work to get each role he plays. And finally, he must have talent which is a rare thing. Look at Will''s movies...he is truly a special person and deserves everything he has.

[fibonacci_]

Right on, Will Smith. I like him. I have a similar work ethic...except I dont get any like he does he he. When hes making whoopie Im working.

yongamerica, assembly line workers work harder than anyone? Is that what you''re saying? Come on, give us a break if that''s what you meant. I know a lot of professions that work harder than assembly line workers.

mslesa, you mean no one should have to pay for college? I grew up dirt poor with a mother raising me and my sister. I had to pay for all my college education. No grants, but I did get hit with about 60 grand of student loans before I was finished. There was no one there to help me but myself. I finally paid off all of my loans, and it was the most gratifying feeling I had in years.

That is all part of becoming an adult. Is that your feeling, everything should be handed to you with no responsibility of paying anyone back? That%u2019s the problem with kids these days; they think everyone owes them something before they even come close to earning it.

[mslesa]

O.K
I have to truly admit
I LOVE THE GUY!
He is classy, funny, ***, sincere.
Congrads to Jada, I hope his destin of wanting to help will not just be at x-mas . someone needs to help the children who are TRULY trying to go to college and should not have to do the loan thing or the government grant thing .

[terrorislam6]

Posted by BoBraxton at 08:36 AM : Dec 03, 2007

wrong,

he wants to run for president

[hypnotoad72]

yongamerica - agreed. And the factory workers don''t make as much money either. And how many factory workers can afford to see his movies too?

More people should be able to use their God-given talents; or at least use them in tandem with projects that benefit the community/country as well as themselves.

[yongamerica]

I like Will Smith, but an actors work ethic is nothing like a assembly line workers. Who works harder for their money?

His success has a lot to do with a huge marketing force that saw potential in a high school kid. And that kid lived up to that potential.