Happy 25th birthday, ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’!

Lisa Respers France
By Lisa Respers France, CNN
Updated 9:23 AM EDT, Thu September 10, 2015
This is a story all about how ... the cast of the popular 1990s comedy "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" has been faring since the show went off the air in 1996.
This is a story all about how ... the cast of the popular 1990s comedy "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" has been faring since the show went off the air in 1996.
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Will Smith starred as Will "The Fresh Prince" Smith, who moves from the troubled streets of Philadelphia to live with wealthy relatives in Bel Air. The actor used it as a springboard to stardom, appearing in blockbuster films like "Independence Day," "Men in Black" and "I Am Legend." His last major film, "Suicide Squad," was released in August 2016.
Will Smith starred as Will "The Fresh Prince" Smith, who moves from the troubled streets of Philadelphia to live with wealthy relatives in Bel Air. The actor used it as a springboard to stardom, appearing in blockbuster films like "Independence Day," "Men in Black" and "I Am Legend." His last major film, "Suicide Squad," was released in August 2016.
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Michael Kovac/Getty Images
Alfonso Ribeiro will always be identified with Will's preppy cousin Carlton Banks, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS1cLOIxsQ8" target="_blank" target="_blank">who even has a dance named after him.</a> In 2014, Ribeiro won season 19 of "Dancing With the Stars." He currently hosts ABC's "America's Funniest Videos."
Alfonso Ribeiro will always be identified with Will's preppy cousin Carlton Banks, who even has a dance named after him. In 2014, Ribeiro won season 19 of "Dancing With the Stars." He currently hosts ABC's "America's Funniest Videos."
NBCU Photo Bank/Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Hilary Banks was Will's snobby and ditzy cousin, the older daughter of the Banks family. Actress Karyn Parsons did a few films like "The Ladies Man" and TV shows like "The Job." Parsons left Hollywood, married, became a mom and started <a href="http://sweetblackberry.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">Sweet Blackberry</a>, which produces short films based on African-American history for children.
Hilary Banks was Will's snobby and ditzy cousin, the older daughter of the Banks family. Actress Karyn Parsons did a few films like "The Ladies Man" and TV shows like "The Job." Parsons left Hollywood, married, became a mom and started Sweet Blackberry, which produces short films based on African-American history for children.
Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images
Tatyana Ali portrayed the youngest Banks child, Ashley. She graduated from Harvard University in 2002, started a production company and had roles on "The Young and the Restless" and "Love That Girl!" She and husband Vaughn Rasberry welcomed their first child together, a son, in September 2016.
Tatyana Ali portrayed the youngest Banks child, Ashley. She graduated from Harvard University in 2002, started a production company and had roles on "The Young and the Restless" and "Love That Girl!" She and husband Vaughn Rasberry welcomed their first child together, a son, in September 2016.
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Janet Hubert starred as the original Aunt Vivian, the Banks family matriarch. She's been pretty outspoken about her firing from the show in 1993 <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/09/janet-hubert-will-smith-feud-fired_n_3249314.html" target="_blank" target="_blank">over creative differences. </a>She's had roles on "Gilmore Girls" and "One Life to Live."
Janet Hubert starred as the original Aunt Vivian, the Banks family matriarch. She's been pretty outspoken about her firing from the show in 1993 over creative differences. She's had roles on "Gilmore Girls" and "One Life to Live."
Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images
Daphne Maxwell Reid stepped in as Vivian Banks in 1993, <a href="http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2013/04/25-casting-fails-in-tv-that-they-expected-us-not-to-notice/aunt-vivian-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air" target="_blank" target="_blank">a move that was not popular with some fans. </a>She's continued to work in television on shows like "Eve" and "Let's Stay Together."
Daphne Maxwell Reid stepped in as Vivian Banks in 1993, a move that was not popular with some fans. She's continued to work in television on shows like "Eve" and "Let's Stay Together."
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Joseph Marcell played the Bankses' long-suffering butler, Geoffrey. Marcell lives in London and has done a fair amount of work on stage and screen, including the British series "Eastenders."
Joseph Marcell played the Bankses' long-suffering butler, Geoffrey. Marcell lives in London and has done a fair amount of work on stage and screen, including the British series "Eastenders."
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
A pregnancy for Aunt Viv was written into the show after Hubert became pregnant. Ross Bagley starred as Nicky Banks. He has since had guest-starring roles on shows including "Providence" and "Judging Amy."
A pregnancy for Aunt Viv was written into the show after Hubert became pregnant. Ross Bagley starred as Nicky Banks. He has since had guest-starring roles on shows including "Providence" and "Judging Amy."
NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images/Louis Fisher/Retna Ltd/Corbis
Nia Long starred as Will's fiancee, Lisa Wilkes, during season 5. She currently appears on the WE series "The Divide" and has appeared in several popular films including "The Best Man" and its sequel, "The Best Man Holiday."
Nia Long starred as Will's fiancee, Lisa Wilkes, during season 5. She currently appears on the WE series "The Divide" and has appeared in several popular films including "The Best Man" and its sequel, "The Best Man Holiday."
NBCU Photo Bank/Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
James Avery was everyone's favorite uncle, Philip Banks. He continued to act after the series ended and died after heart surgery in 2013.
James Avery was everyone's favorite uncle, Philip Banks. He continued to act after the series ended and died after heart surgery in 2013.
NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
'Fresh Prince of Bel Air': Where are they now?

Story highlights

The Will Smith series premiered in 1990

The rapper-actor has gone on to become a movie star

CNN  — 

Now this is a story all about how … fans came to love a television series starring a rapper who went on to become a movie star.

“The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” debuted 25 years ago, on September 10, 1990, and folks still can’t get enough of it. It featured an unlikely star, rapper Will Smith, who was then known for wholesome hip-hop at a time when gangsta rap had taken hold.

The fish-out-of-water comedy followed the life of a young man sent from the mean streets of Philadelphia to live with his affluent relatives in Bel Air, California. Based on the real-life experiences of producer Benny Medina – better known as the manager of such megastars as Mariah Carey and Jennifer Lopez – the series wasn’t expected to be a hit.

But Smith and his co-stars quickly won the hearts of viewers, and the NBC show lives on in syndication, despite going off the air in 1996. Thanks to the Internet, it has also sparked such fun as being “Bel Aired,” when a person tells a story and ends it with the lyrics to the show’s theme song.

And, of course, there are the memes.

With reports that Smith is planning to produce a reboot of the show, we can expect lots of “Fresh Prince” nostalgia and debate on whether bringing back such a beloved series is a good idea.

CBS is working on an updated version of 'MacGyver,' according to The Hollywood Reporter. No word yet on who will star in the resourceful role originated by Richard Dean Anderson. Click through to see other television remakes that are being produced or are just in the "fingers crossed" stage.
CBS is working on an updated version of 'MacGyver,' according to The Hollywood Reporter. No word yet on who will star in the resourceful role originated by Richard Dean Anderson. Click through to see other television remakes that are being produced or are just in the "fingers crossed" stage.
ABC/GETTY IMAGES
A reboot of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" may be on its way. <a href="http://tvline.com/2015/08/13/fresh-prince-reboot-will-smith/" target="_blank" target="_blank">According to TV Line,</a> Will Smith, the star of the series is on board to produce a remake of his hit '90s show.
A reboot of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" may be on its way. According to TV Line, Will Smith, the star of the series is on board to produce a remake of his hit '90s show.
NBC/Getty Images
LeVar Burton starred as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 original miniseries "Roots." It was one of the most watched television events of all time. On April 30, Burton announced that he is part of a project to <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/04/30/entertainment/roots-remake-feat/index.html">remake the series</a> for the TV networks A&E, Lifetime and History (formerly the History Channel).
LeVar Burton starred as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 original miniseries "Roots." It was one of the most watched television events of all time. On April 30, Burton announced that he is part of a project to remake the series for the TV networks A&E, Lifetime and History (formerly the History Channel).
Warner Bros
A group portrait of the original cast of "Dallas," clockwise from left: Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Jim Davis, Charlene Tilton, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Barbara Bel Geddes. The series premiered in 1978 and ended in 1991.
A group portrait of the original cast of "Dallas," clockwise from left: Patrick Duffy, Victoria Principal, Jim Davis, Charlene Tilton, Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Barbara Bel Geddes. The series premiered in 1978 and ended in 1991.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
New members joined the Ewing clan when a second version of "Dallas" premiered in 2012. The show was canceled in 2014.
New members joined the Ewing clan when a second version of "Dallas" premiered in 2012. The show was canceled in 2014.
Cyntax Productions
"La Femme Nikita," starring Peta Wilson, was based on the 1990 movie of the same name about a smart, sexy assassin working for a powerful secret organization. The show aired from 1997 to 2001.
"La Femme Nikita," starring Peta Wilson, was based on the 1990 movie of the same name about a smart, sexy assassin working for a powerful secret organization. The show aired from 1997 to 2001.
CTV Television Network
"Nikita" aired from 2010 to 2013 and starred Maggie Q.
"Nikita" aired from 2010 to 2013 and starred Maggie Q.
Sesfonstein Productions/IMDB
The classic TV police show "Hawaii Five-O" aired from 1968 to 1980 and starred Jack Lord as the iconic Det. Steve McGarrett and James MacArthur as Dan "Danno" Williams.
The classic TV police show "Hawaii Five-O" aired from 1968 to 1980 and starred Jack Lord as the iconic Det. Steve McGarrett and James MacArthur as Dan "Danno" Williams.
CBS Television Network
"Hawaii Five-O" returned to television in 2010 with actor Alex O'Loughlin in the role of Steve McGarrett and Scott Caan as Danny Williams.
"Hawaii Five-O" returned to television in 2010 with actor Alex O'Loughlin in the role of Steve McGarrett and Scott Caan as Danny Williams.
courtesy cbs
"V" started as a 1983 television movie about aliens coming to Earth and was so popular it became a 19-episode series the next year.
"V" started as a 1983 television movie about aliens coming to Earth and was so popular it became a 19-episode series the next year.
Warner Bros.
"V" returned to television as an aliens-come-to-Earth series in 2009. It ran until 2011.
"V" returned to television as an aliens-come-to-Earth series in 2009. It ran until 2011.
Warner Bros.
TV remakes

In the meantime, we can always enjoy Smith reliving his glory days as the Fresh Prince.

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