Will Smith Says His Childhood Was ‘Marked By Fear’: ‘You Can’t Be Happy If You’re Scared’

He has done some extraordinary things on-screen and off it as well, but believe it or not Will Smith grew up filled with terror.

“A huge part of my childhood was marked by fear and a huge part of my drive in life was marked by fear,” the 50-year-old said on The Graham Norton Show, via Entertainment Tonight Canada. “You can generate great things, you can succeed and win, but you can never really be happy if you’re scared.”

These days, aside from his films, the Oscar-nominated actor is also known for his dangerous stunts — all part of completing his bucket list, as well as shaking off the restriction of his current lifestyle. “I’d turned 50 and I’d created this wonderful life and this wonderful career, but I felt trapped by being Will Smith. I have kids so I can’t do that, or I’m famous so I can’t say that, or people look at me so I can’t behave like that,” he explained.

“So, part of the bucket list was to give myself the freedom to do all the things that I had put in my mind that I couldn’t do. I’m not being adventurous and I’ve always wanted to be that,” the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum added. And Will has stayed true to his new way of thinking of conquering his fears — back in March he swam with sharks.

“We’re in the Bahamas, and I’m about to do my bucket list: diving with sharks,” the Suicide Squad costar said at the time while dressed head to toe in diving gear. “When I came up with this bucket list idea, in my mind I was in a cage. I wasn’t, like, diving free [and] wide open with the sharks.”

Afterwards, Will once again touched on not letting fear be an obstacle in his life. “I’ve achieved everything I’ve ever dreamed and the major thing that I’m still seeking is I know there’s more than that. And my fear of the unknown is keeping me from that divine wisdom,” he said. “When you’re not afraid to die, you’re no longer afraid to live.”

Will is truly an inspiration!