Will Smith Gets a Street Named After Him in His Hometown Philadelphia: ‘Honor of a Lifetime’

Will Smith’s name is now forever enshrined on the streets of Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, March 26, the Oscar winner, 56, appeared in his hometown to celebrate the city renaming a portion of 59th Street Will Smith Way in honor of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star.

“Philly, I am yours. This is the honor of a lifetime,” Smith wrote in a post on Instagram Thursday, March 27, which included photos of him posing at the ceremony with Philadelphia mayor Cherelle L. Parker and other city officials. Smith’s mother Caroline Bright also sat by his side during the ceremony.

Smith’s post included photos as well as a video of the sign with the name Will Smith Way over a bridge. “Hey, Philly. I love you. I am yours, you are mine. I will see you on the Fourth of July,” Smith said in another video included in his Instagram upload.

Philadelphia mayor Parker, 52, wrote in her own Instagram post after the March 26 street-naming ceremony that Smith’s “journey has been 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 in her caption.

“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.” 

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Smith plans to release his first full-length album in 20 years on March 28. The album, titled Based on a True Story, marks Smith’s first LP since Lost and Found released in March 2005. It features collaborations with Smith’s longtime musical collaborator DJ Jazzy Jeff, as well as Teyana Taylor and Jack Ross.

Smith, who last appeared on the big screen in 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die, has been paying tribute to Fresh Prince and his early career in recent weeks as he prepares to release the new album. On March 20, the actor and musician paid tribute to the late James Avery, who portrayed Uncle Phil on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, during a concert in Las Vegas.