4 Stars From Philly To Hollywood
Will Smith
Although he initially became famous as a rapper, Will Smith went on to prove his acting talents in both television and films, eventually winning a reputation as an entertainer who could easily cross back and forth between musician and actor. A native of Philadelphia, Smith was born on Sept. 25, 1968. The son of middle-class parents (his father owned a refrigeration company and his mother worked for the school board) and the second of four children, he earned the nickname "Prince" thanks to his ability to talk himself out of trouble. The nickname became part of his popular persona when, with fellow rapper Jeff Townes, Smith (who had been rapping since the age of 12) formed the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Smith found fame as a rapper, producing two platinum albums and winning a Grammy for He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper.
For more, see Will Smith's bio on MovieTome.com.
Tina Fey
Tina Fey was born in Upper Darby and throughout high-school, she considered herself a "supernerd." She studied drama at the University of Virginia, and after graduating, she headed to Chicago and began taking classes at the famed Second City. When friend Adam McKay became head writer at Saturday Night Live, he had Fey send in a sample. Soon, Fey was working at Studio 8H, eventually rising to the position of co-head writer. Along the way, Fey revived Weekend Update with co-anchor Jimmy Fallon. Fey wrote and appeared in the film "Mean Girls," starred in "Baby Mama" and "Date Night," and writes and appears in "30 Rock." Her breakout impersonation of Sarah Palin during the 2008 Presidential campaign put her onto comedy's A-list. Fey has two children with husband and SNL band musician Jeff Richmond.
For more, see Tina Fey's bio on MovieTome.com.
Bill Cosby
William H. Cosby Jr. was born on July 12, 1937 in Philadelphia. Bill Cosby is an American actor, comedian, television producer, and activist. For over 30 years, he has been one of the world's most respected and well-known entertainers and comedians. After 10th grade, Cosby joined the Navy and completed high school through a correspondence course. Later he took up an athletics scholarship at Temple University, supporting himself during his studies by tending bar, where his easy-going style and witty joking with the clientele prompted suggestions that he try stand-up comedy. This he did and was soon to be discovered by the legendary Carl Reiner.
For more, see Bill Cosby's bio on MovieTome.com.
Kevin Bacon
Born in Philadelphia, Kevin Bacon attended both the Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School and the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts before moving on to his movie career. He first appeared in Animal House, but went largely unnoticed until his 1982 role in "Diner." He met his wife, actress Kyra Sedgwick, while on-set, and married her within months of meeting her. Bacon is renowned for performing in so many projects that in the early 1990s, the "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game arose, in which people tried to connect any star to Bacon through six or less related films. Bacon also plays music and has created a band with his brother, Michael.
For more, see Kevin Bacon's bio on MovieTome.com.
