https://screenrant.com/fresh-prince-will-smith-acting-lie-story/

Will Smith says that he initially lied about his abilities when The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air producer Quincy Jones asked him if he could act.

You can literally see him mouthing the others’ lines throughout season 1. It was so bad it was cringy haha

You can literally see him mouthing the others’ lines throughout season 1. It was so bad it was cringy haha

Yep.

Will got better, but that first season or so was rough.

I'm not surprised that Will "faked it till he made it"; he probably reasoned he could play a black kid from West Philadelphia, considering he was a black guy from West Philadelphia.

i think the lack of experience actually added to the performance. he was supposed to be a little rough around the edges and raw. i think the contrast between him and the family was the best in season 1.