Alfonso Ribeiro remembered his dear friend and late actor James Van Der Beek in a recent podcast appearance and shared the lasting gift he received from spending time with him on his deathbed. While he didn't take a physical gift from him, his takeaway of being surrounded by the people he loves proved valuable.

Riberiro appeared on Joy 101 with Hoda Kotb ahead of Dancing With The Stars return to the 2026 TV schedule, and talked a bit about sharing James Van Der Beek's final moments. After his passing, the actor and host talked with his wife and began plotting his own plans for his eventual death:

Given how upset he was in his public statement at the time of Van Der Beek's passing, it's good to hear Alfonso Ribeiro came out on the other side with something positive. Losing a friend, especially one as close as Van Der Beek was to him, is tough.

James Van Der Beek's public battle with colorectal cancer received a lot of attention in Hollywood, with actors like Paul Walter Hauser offering to help with his bills for treatment. A GoFundMe for the family ended up bringing in millions of dollars, as actors and creatives alike helped bring them out of debt following all of his treatments.

Of course, there were also critics, some of whom questioned why a family with a multi-million dollar home was crowd-funding to pay medical bills rather than downsizing. While there were complaints, the crowd-funding effort still received a lot of support from the general public, and it seems any controversy tied to it has largely fallen off.

While James Van Der Beek is gone, he still has an appearance on the way. Van Der Beek's final performance will be on the Legally Blonde prequel Elle, which launches on July 1st for those with a Prime subscription. It'll be one final chance for audiences to appreciate the late actor, who rose to prominence on Dawson's Creek in the late '90s.

As for Ribeiro, he's set to return as co-host on Dancing With The Stars when it returns to ABC in the fall with Season 35. This season will be a big one, with a new spinoff airing ahead of time called Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro. Surprisingly, that series tapped the latest winner, Robert Irwin, to host the series, meaning Ribeiro and Julianne Hough get to kick back and relax until the fall season rolls around.

Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro premieres on July 13th. It'll be a good way to fill time as we wait for the flagship show's return in the fall, and for Alfonso Ribeiro to be back on television.

The death of James Van Der Beek on February 11 at the age of just 48 is a tragedy that resulted in outpourings of emotion from fans and fellow celebrities alike. The Dawson's Creek vet passed away after a battle with colorectal cancer, after first being diagnosed in 2023 and announcing the news publicly in 2024. Now, friend and Dancing with the Stars co-host Alfonso Ribeiro has opened up about the last time they saw each other, reflecting on the "roller coaster ride" of Van Der Beek's health.

While both men were big names in the '90s for Dawson's Creek and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, fans saw James Van Der Beek join Dancing with the Stars in Season 28. Alfonso Ribeiro has been associated with ABC's dance show going back to his victory in Season 19 and expanding to now place him as co-host. While fans may have known about the DWTS link between them, Ribeiro's Instagram post following Van Der Beek's death shines a light on the friendship that blossomed outside of the public eye:

Tragically, there were evidently points during Van Der Beek's battle with cancer when it appeared that he had beat it. The actor had to miss the Dawson’s Creek reunion due his illness, with his daughter stepping up to join Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes in his place. Ribeiro didn't share a timeline in his emotional tribute for when the future seemed bright, but went on:

The passing of his friend clearly doesn't mean the end of Alfonso Ribeiro's bond with the Van Der Beek family, not least because he is the godfather to Gwendolyn, the second youngest of James' six children. Ribeiro's post also resulted in a fresh outpouring of comments from fellow Dancing with the Stars vets. Take a look:

• Witney Carson: "He was so loved by you, and you could tell how much he loved you and your family. I’m sending so many prayers and healing your way. Love you so much ❤️‍🩹
• Julianne Hough: You are such a beautiful friend and soul mate, Al ❤️"
• Derek Hough: "🙏🏼💔"
• Carrie Ann Inaba: "Sending love and my sincere condolences to you and his family. The words 'gone too soon' keep repeating in my soul. 💔 His family and those he loved all now have a very special angel watching over them. 🕊️🙏 His light will continue to shine. 🙏🙏🙏"

Alfonso Ribeiro then went on to share a vulnerable moment with James Van Der Beek, shortly before their "last goodbye." The photo and the message go even further to demonstrate how close their friendship was, even if it wasn't constantly broadcast for the public to see. Take a look:

This wasn't even the end of Alfonso Ribeiro paying tribute to his friend and supporting James Van Der Beek's wife and six kids. Via Instagram Story, the DWTS fan favorite posted a link to the Go Fund Me started for Kimberly Van Der Beek and the rest of the family, which revealed that "Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future" due to the "costs of James’s medical care." Per the fundraising page, the family is "working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability."

At the time of writing, the Go Fund Me has raised more than $1.8 million for the goal of $1.5 million out of nearly 36,000 donations. Among the top donors are Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw, with a total of $25,000, and Jon Chu, with $10,000. There are also many anonymous donors, and plenty of supporters who shared what they could.

Our thoughts here at CinemaBlend are with the friends, family, and loves ones of James Van Der Beek in this difficult time. Alfonso Ribeiro's tributes aren't the first and surely won't be the last in honor of a man who was part of so many millennials' lives simply as the leading man of Dawson's Creek, as well as his many projects in the years since.

For the past few years, Ben Affleck has been contributing to some of the funniest Super Bowl commercials with his star-studded, Boston-loving Dunkin’ ads, and it looks like that trend will continue in the new year. When Super Bowl LX airs on the 2026 TV schedule, the two-time Oscar winner will reportedly be peddling those holey breakfast pastries with the help of several stars from the best sitcoms of all time — including Friends’ Jennifer Aniston and Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander.

After another round of the super-popular DunKings commercials during the 2025 Super Bowl, Ben Affleck is allegedly doing a Good Will Hunting riff for the upcoming big game in Levi’s Stadium, which will be titled, naturally, “Good Will Dunkin’,” per Page Six. Some big names have apparently signed onto the project, including Jennifer Aniston, Matt LeBlanc, Jason Alexander, Alfonso Ribeiro, Ted Danson and Tom Brady.

What in the 1990s is going on here? Whatever it is, I really do hope we get to see a Friends reunion between Matt LeBlanc and Jennifer Aniston in these wildly successful Dunkin’ commercials. There’s no word on whether they’ll be playing their characters Joey Tribbiani and Rachel Green, but Ted Danson will allegedly appear as his character Sam Malone from Cheers.

It will be interesting to see how all of these actors come together, with Jason Alexander (aka Seinfeld’s George Costanza) and Alfonso Ribeiro (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Carlton Banks) in the mix.

Tom Brady, meanwhile, obviously has a meaningful connection to Boston following a long career with the New England Patriots. He also previously appeared with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon as a member of the fictional boy band The DunKings.

Details of the upcoming commercial are being kept super secret, sources say, as the production staff reportedly were required to put “tape over the cameras on their cell phones for added security” while shooting in Los Angeles.

It’s not surprising that the actor wants to churn out another doughnut-themed mini-movie, given how much he makes from the Dunkin’ commercials. Plus, fans get pretty excited, too, when Ben Affleck is seen sporting that Dunkin’ Donuts tracksuit.

The most recent offering, which came at Super Bowl LIX in February 2025, featured appearances from Donnie Wahlberg, Jeremy Strong, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, Casey Affleck, Bill Belichick and Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson, who reportedly “forced her way” into the commercial.

I’m sure more surprises are in store this time around, but the actors who have already been allegedly announced are exciting enough for me. I can’t wait to see Ted Danson (presumably) back behind the bar as Sam Malone, and this will be Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc’s first time on-screen together since the Friends reunion in 2021 (available to stream with an HBO Max subscription).

Speaking of the Morning Show star, Jennifer Aniston has also appeared in Super Bowl ads in the past. She previously reunited with Friends co-star David Schwimmer in an ad for Uber Eats and continued to flaunt her comedic skills in a funny Skinny Pop commercial earlier this year.

We’ll definitely have our eyes peeled for what she, Ben Affleck and the rest are up to when the Super Bowl airs Sunday, February 8, on NBC and streaming with a Peacock subscription.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air remains one of the best NBC sitcoms ever, even almost 30 years after it ended. Even though the show centered on Will Smith’s character of the same name, much of the Fresh Prince cast also received their flowers, including Alfonso Ribeiro. His character, Carlton Banks, is a fan-favorite, and Alfonso Ribeiro offered up the secret sauce about why he was so popular on the show.

Carlton had some pretty great moments throughout Fresh Prince’s six-season run, especially when it comes to his infamous Carlton dance that Ribeiro even recreated on Dancing With the Stars. But it’s not just because of his dance moves that he was so popular. While talking to Parade, Ribeiro credited his work on fellow NBC sitcom Silver Spoons for giving him an experience that was able to take to Fresh Prince:

Ribeiro starred in Seasons 3-5 of Silver Spoons as Alfonso Spears. The sitcom ran for five seasons from 1982 to 1987 and was actually Ribeiro’s first acting role. He had a lot of personality as a child actor, so it's not surprising that just a few years after the series ended, he wound up getting Fresh Prince. It seems like he never forgot what he learned on Silver Spoons. And it was because of that experience he was able to take what he learned and apply it to Fresh Prince, which definitely helped in the long run:

Will Smith previously opened up about what it was like working with Ribeiro, praising him for his commitment and his comedic timing, so even he learned a lot from his co-star. The two have remained close since Fresh Prince, and the almost-birthday twins also show support for one another from time to time when it comes to projects, which is certainly nice to see.

That being said, just because of his prior sitcom experience, Ribeiro wasn’t always confident for Fresh Prince. He disliked his original audition because he didn’t dress like Carlton, and he thought he didn’t act well. However, that didn’t seem to matter to producers because they still saw the potential and knew that they had their Carlton, even if it didn’t come so naturally at first. It’s hard to imagine Fresh Prince without Ribeiro as Carlton, and it’s a good thing that fans will never have to deal with it.

Thanks to his popularity on Fresh Prince, Ribeiro is still very well known and loved to this day, and still occasionally references his Fresh Prince days. Now, as a co-host on DWTS and as the host of AFV, he’s still popular, but in a different way. But if he ever does another sitcom in the future, he definitely has the experience to take from. For now, fans can watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with an HBO Max subscription.

Alfonso Ribeiro is back to co-host another season of Dancing With The Stars alongside Julianne Hough, and I couldn’t be more excited to see them lead Season 34, which premiered last week on the 2025 TV schedule. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor has been a seasoned host for over a decade now, but apparently, there was one thing that made him really nervous about hosting DWTS compared to other gigs.

Season 34 of DWTS promises epic dance numbers, major growth from the new dancers, and killer themes, but one thing is not guaranteed: a break in the broadcast. Ribeiro told TV Insider this was the one thing he was concerned about when he started hosting DWTS, and the reason behind it is very relatable:

Before joining DWTS as a host in 2022, Ribeiro had already been hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos for seven years. But that’s a pre-recorded show. DWTS was the Catch 21 host’s first foray into the world of hosting a continuous live broadcast, so this being his one fear for hosting makes complete sense. Two hours is a long time, and under all those lights, you need to stay hydrated!

Thankfully, his good friend and mentor, former DWTS host Tom Bergeron, helped him learn the ropes of his new job. The two met when Ribeiro was a celebrity contestant on Season 19, where the Fresh Prince actor’s star quality helped win him the mirrorball trophy and land a referral to take over for Bergeron as host of AFV. Later down the road, the ABC legend and co-host Erin Andrews were shockingly fired in 2020, but Bergeron was thrilled that his buddy would be replacing him.

The Carlton actor also told TV Insider that there is nothing like being told you’ve won the mirrorball trophy by the OG DWTS hosts, and that he tries to channel the comfortable presence of Bergeron every episode, using his time competing on the show to relate to the current contestants.

This season, Ribeiro’s former pro-partner Witney Carson is paired with Robert Irwin, and after only one week, the duo has proven themselves to be frontrunners. Carson hasn’t won since Season 19 with Ribeiro, but came close last season with football player Danny Amendola. While the DWTS hosts have to remain fairly impartial, I wouldn't be surprised if the In The House actor is secretly rooting for his former dancing pal.

Given it’s the 20th Anniversary of the celebrity dancing competition, I would love to see Ribeiro and Carson back on the floor together, and maybe if we are lucky, Bergeron will return to cover for the current DWTS host so he can once again lace up his dancing shoes.

I also hope that with this anniversary approaching and with multiple seasons of hosting the show, Ribeiro has mastered the art of using the bathroom during a live broadcast.

It’s only the second week of competition, so there are sure to be many surprises in store. Be sure to catch new episodes of Dancing With The Stars every Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC or with a Disney+ subscription.

It’s almost time to return to the ballroom, as the cast for Dancing with the Stars Season 34 has been revealed ahead of the show’s return on the 2025 TV schedule. The cast is certainly stacked this season, between fan-favorite Olympians, actors, reality stars and more, but there are still so many others who would make for perfect competitors. Co-host and former Mirrorball champ Alfonso Ribeiro is still pushing for Fresh Prince co-star Will Smith to compete, but I'm more focused on the A+ actress he also mentioned.

Whenever a new season of ABC's long-running dance competition show comes around, the speculation about who will compete on DWTS that time around is always a big topic. While some fans have correctly predict some of the contestants each season, it’s always fun seeing the full cast. In my opinion, though, it's never to early to start thinking about casts for future seasons, though. Ribeiro spoke about his dream contestants while chatting with TV Insider, which is when he mentioned his on-screen cousin:

Most of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast members still remain close decades after the series ended, including almost birthday twins Smith and Ribeiro. Even though Ribeiro has admitted to initially not wanting to help Smith learn his iconic Carlton dance, he wants more than ever for Smith to compete on DWTS. Since Ribeiro even went viral for performing The Carlton on the show, it would be fun to bring another piece of Fresh Prince to the ballroom. Whether or not it will actually happen is unknown, but I hope it does.

That being said, Smith isn't the only dream celebrity contestant for Ribeiro. He also mentioned a certain actress who is not only part of the ABC family but is quite the scream queen and a fan of DWTS, and I would love nothing more than to see her join the series:

It might be a bit hard getting JLH on the show, considering she’s busy starring on 9-1-1. After all, the first responder drama is still going strong, even following that major death earlier this year. However, considering both shows are on ABC, maybe the network would work out the logistics so that Jennifer Love Hewitt could be on the show. I'm confident that Hewitt would crush it, though, especially considering that she's a star of many talents.

And on that topic, Ribeiro also threw out an NFL Hall of Famer who would be perfect, since athletes have also performed will on the show:

As of now, it's unclear just how long Dancing with the Stars, but I'm hopeful that it'll be on the air long enough for Will Smith, Jennifer Love Hewitt and any other A+ stars to join in the competition. For right now, though, let's look towards the season that's nearly upon us. DWTS Season 34 premieres on Tuesday, September 16 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be streamable with a Disney+ subscription as well.

It will soon be time to return to the ballroom when Dancing With the Stars Season 34 premieres on the 2025 TV schedule in the fall. The cast has slowly been getting revealed, with conservationist Robert Irwin and social media star Alix Earle being the first celebrity contestants announced. At this point, it’s hard to tell who else will be added. However, Michael Strahan inadvertently threw his hat in the ring, and I would love to see him on the dance floor after watching this.

Not only does the former NFL player have a relationship with DWTS’ home network, ABC, as he is an anchor on Good Morning America, but he’s previously appeared on the dancing competition series, just not as a contestant. In 2023, he was a guest judge for Season 32. Now, one of the current hosts is trying to get him on the show.

DWTS co-host Alfonso Ribeiro appeared on GMA earlier this month and said that a certain former Giants player would be great on the show, so Strahan took it as his cue to show off moves:

It might have been a very brief dance, as Strahan told Ribeiro that was all he was getting, but it actually wasn’t that bad. Although it might be hard to fly to and from New York and LA every week, I’m sure Disney would give Strahan a bit of flexibility if it meant competing on Dancing With the Stars and still co-anchoring GMA. Plus, he would be just the latest athlete to compete on the show, and they typically do pretty well.

Whether or not Strahan will ever actually appear on Dancing With the Stars as a contestant is unknown, but it could be possible. Ribeiro clearly seems interested in having him on, and since he certainly knows what it takes to not only be on DWTS but to win, I think he'd be a great competitor. For now, though, it seems like the athlete-turned-anchor is just fine announcing the season's casts on GMA rather than actually competing for the mirrorball.

Even if Strahan doesn’t do Dancing With the Stars, he'll still be a big presence on ABC. On top of Good Morning America, he’s hosting The $100,000 Pyramid. He seems to be quite dedicated to the network, so it's always possible that he could come back to DWTS as a guest judge for Season 34. Then, maybe they can try again to get him as a contestant for Season 35.

As of now, a premiere date for Season 34 has yet to be announced, but the wait will be worth it, especially if the cast keeps slowly getting revealed. I'm still hoping that Michael Strahan will compete and join fan-favorite Aussie Robert Irwin and influencer Alix Earle. However, for now, nothing is confirmed and we'll just have to hold out hope.

Throughout the history of TV, there have been great sitcom duos, like Sanford and Son’s Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson and Laverne & Shirley’s Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro deserve their flowers as well for their contributions. The show marked Smith’s first major acting gig, and he had to pick up quite a bit of skills on the job. As he recently revealed, he learned a lot from Ribeiro as well, and there’s a specific lesson that, as a fan, I’m truly glad he took to heart.

It’s not uncommon for Will Smith to warmly reflect on his tenure on one of the best Black sitcoms of the ‘90s. Smith did so yet again when he appeared on the Drink Champs podcast (which is available on YouTube). When Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks, came up during the discussion, Smith lauded his co-star and longtime friend’s commitment. He also recalled the keen way that his good buddy would work with the Fresh Prince writers:

That’s a smart way for an actor to approach their work. By giving it his all no matter the quality of the joke, the Silver Spoons alum was able to give the writers a clear indication as to whether something worked or didn’t work. It makes me wonder just how many of Carlton’s best jokes were formed due to the actor’s commitment. Will Smith went on to sing his co-star’s praises for his A+ “Carlton dance” and more:

Even today, Alfonso Ribeiro’s performance as Carlton is well remembered and still enjoyed by fans. It’s hard to imagine the star not landing the role in the first place, even though Ribeiro dislikes his audition due to the fact that he wore clothes that didn’t match Carlton’s personality. Of all the notable moments from his time filming the show, Ribeiro now says his favorite is from the Season 5 episode “Will’s Misery. It’s at the end of the installment that Ribeiro, in an unscripted move, runs around the set.

It wasn’t always easy for the child star to play the preppy Carlton, though, as the character arguably became a bit too popular, leading him to become synonymous with Banks. It’s for that reason that the Love Wrecked alum came to resent Carlton, especially amid a slew of post-Fresh Prince career struggles. Thankfully, TV personality Tom Bergeron helped him turn his career around, and he now hosts America’s Funniest Home Videos and Dancing with the Stars.

Alfonso Ribeiro now seems to have made peace with his performance as Carlton, and I’m glad, given that he, along with Will Smith, produced comedic gold. It’s great that Ribeiro’s dedication to the craft rubbed off on Smith the way that it did, as I’m not sure the show would’ve become what it did otherwise. You can stream all six seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the 2020 reunion special using a Max subscription.

Alfonso Ribeiro may have come to fame decades ago on TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but these days he’s likely known more for his dancing. Of course we’re all aware of the Carlton Dance, but Ribeiro proved he was more than his nerdy character when he won Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars and went on to become the competition’s co-host. He got to show off those moves recently, donning a pink suit for a moment that even got Will Smith’s attention.

There’s been no official word on when DWTS Season 34 will hit the 2025 TV schedule, but Alfonso Ribeiro had no intention of waiting to bust a move when he visited The Jennifer Hudson Show. Take a look at his walk to the stage:

Now, if you are unfamiliar with Jennifer Hudson’s spirit tunnels — where her crew lines the hallway outside of the guests’ dressing room, chanting, singing and dancing to pump them up as they take the stage — I implore you to stop now and go down that rabbit hole. It’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve lost hours watching videos.

Alfonso Ribeiro certainly looked to be embracing the “happy place,” as he hit them with some footwork, strutting down the hall with a big smile as he ultimately did a spin move that earned cheers from the hype team.

The viral video also earned props from his former TV cousin, Will Smith, who showed up in the comments to say:

I love this support from Will Smith three decades after the two actors starred together on one of the best TV sitcoms of all time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Men in Black actor knows all about Alfonso Ribeiro’s talents, and it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who recalls that Ribeiro was a child actor with a big personality whose career actually started on Broadway in 1983 when he played the titular character in The Tap Dance Kid.

Will Smith, of course, has been known to “get jiggy wit it” himself, and this isn’t the first time he’s shouted out “Alf.” A couple of years ago Alfonso Ribeiro reunited with his Dancing with the Stars partner, Witney Carson, for a viral dance to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song, prompting Smith to comment:

I think my favorite part about The Jennifer Hudson Show video, though, is that Alfonso Ribeiro didn’t feel pressured to do the Carlon Dance, even though he knows he’ll break the Internet (like he did on DWTS) if he does do it. Ribeiro has opened up about strangers constantly asking him to do the dance for them, which must be so exhausting. I love that he got the chance to show some different moves in the spirit tunnel.

If you want to relive Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro’s olden days, there are plenty of Carlton-centric episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that are available to stream with a Max subscription.

Dancing with the Stars Season 33 has come a long way from its first pair of high-profile eliminations, with a few episodes left to go before the winning pair is granted the Mirrorball trophy. Fans can look forward to seeing the show represented later in 2024 TV schedule with ABC's Christmas special, but Alfonso Ribeiro unfortunately suffered an injury while filming a dance number.

The special is currently in production in Florida at Walt Disney World, with Julianne Hough also taking part. According to TMZ, the Fresh Prince vet was in the midst of filming a dance routine when he stepped errantly on a trolley rail and rolled his right ankle.

Soon after, Ribeiro was understandably in pain, and he was seen wrapping his arms around the shoulders of Hough and a crew member to keep himself standing without putting any pressure on his right foot. Another crew member brought a chair for him to sit in before he was eventually put into a wheelchair. It's also reported that he vomited into a nearby trashcan.

When Will Alfonso Ribeiro Return To Dancing With The Stars After Injury?

The update from TMZ states that Alfonso Ribeiro suffered a minor ankle injury, but was otherwise not suffering any further lasting injuries. In fact, he was reportedly heading back to continue filming for the Dancing with the Stars holiday special, although without confirming whether or not he'd be dancing again.

Beyond that, it looks like viewers won't need to worry about him missing the milestone 500th episode filming on Tuesday, November 12. It's specifically said that he'll "participate in filming" the installment, which sounds like he might not be back in full capacity, but perhaps that's just reading too much into word choice.

In any case, it's great news to hear that the AFV host's ankle injury isn't as big of a potential obstacle as it seemed when it was initially reported. How much of a bummer would it have been for Ribeiro to have to miss out on such a huge night for the show due to a dancing injury?

On the way to its Season 33 finale, dancers Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson have been on a three-week winning streak, though Danny Amendola and Witney Carson shared top honors ahead of Halloween Nightmares Night's divisive elimination. Interestingly enough, that streak was preceded by the all-star pair Brandon Armstrong and Chandler Kinney taking the top score for the first four weeks of the competition.

Dancing with the Stars is set to debut its landmark 500th episode on Tuesday, November 12, at 8:00 p.m. on ABC, and is streaming for those with Disney+ subscriptions.

A great performance from a precocious young actor can steal scenes and even entire movies and TV shows. Like the kids on this list, who have so much personality at such a young age it's crazy. From TV stars like Gary Coleman on Diff'rent Strokes to supporting roles in movies that end up being the most-talked-about bits of the films, like Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire, these kids are just oozing charm and talent. 

Shirley Temple

You can't have a list like this without the original Hollywood kid star, the great Shirley Temple. Though Temple acted in films into her late teens before retiring in 1950, she is really best remembered for her roles as a clever witty kid in movies like 1935's Curly Top and 1936's Stowaway. After Temple retired, she went on to have a successful career as a spokesperson and even a foreign diplomat. 

Macaulay Culkin

There are very few kids that could ever carry a movie, much less a franchise, like Macaulay Culkin did with the Home Alone movies. The first movie is one of the most successful movies of all time, and while the entire cast of Home Alone is amazing, the movie would not be the same with anyone else as Kevin McCallister. 

Quvenzhané Wallis

Quvenzhané Wallis' performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild is, in all senses, a revelation. Her performance is so powerful and nuanced on a level that even many adult actors can't match. It was so good, that Wallis became the youngest actress ever nominated for an Academy Award. 

Ke Huy Quan

Ke Huy Quan comeback with his amazing, award-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All At Once was the feel-good story of 2022. It came, of course, four decades after he first blew audiences away with roles like Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom and Data in The Goonies, where he showed just how much personality a kid can have on screen. 

Peter Billingsley

For a generation of kids, A Christmas Story is THE definite Christmas movie. It was so popular that for a time, it would run a loop on cable TV around the holiday. Of course, while the whole cast is memorable, Peter Billingsley's role as Ralphie is the one people talk about the most. 

Soleil Moon Frye

The 1980s were awash with precocious kids leading shows and few were on a higher level than Punky Brewster. The lead character, played by Soleil Moon Frye, found herself in all kinds of spots, usually funny, though sometimes serious and Frye could handle it all. 

Emmanuel Lewis

For six seasons, Emmanuel Lewis brought joy to American homes as the orphaned Webster in the show with the same name. Like others in the decade, Lewis carried a network show with his comedic timing and cuteness. The diminutive Lewis, who was diagnosed with pituitary dwarfism, used his condition to his advantage, not to mention his great acting, to get people laughing everywhere. 

The Olsen Twins

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen are examples of kids who left acting behind, but their joint performance as Michelle Tanner in Full House will always be beloved by fans of the show. The twins both had enough personality to fill a soundstage when they played the role, starting when they were just babies. Incredible. 

Haley Joel Osment

Haley Joel Osment's big break came as the intense kid who could see dead people in The Sixth Sense. Like a few others on this list, he's a child star who is still acting today and it's not hard to see why given the talent he displayed at just 11 years old. 

Millie Bobby Brown

By the time Millie Bobby Brown was the ripe old age of 12, when she first starred in Stranger Things on Netflix, the actress was a seasoned vet. She had already had regular roles on a couple of TV shows both in the US and her native UK and had made a number of guest appearances on shows like NCIS and Grey's Anatomy. Of course, it would as a Eleven in Stranger Things that really proved how great she is. 

Christian Bale

Christian Bale is one of the best actors of his generation, something he started to prove very early in his life when he took on the starring role of a war orphan in  Steven Spielberg's Empire of the Sun. Bale was only 13 at the time and his performance is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. It's hard to fathom the ability to do that as barely a teenager. 

Gary Coleman

There isn't a more famous catchphrase from 1980s TV than "Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis?" Of course, those words were part of seemingly every single episode of Diff'rent Strokes. Gary Coleman's role as Arnold, the orphaned kid taken in, with his brother, by Mr Drummond was one of the most popular characters of the decade.  

Anna Chlumsky

While Macaulay Culkin was the big "star" of My Girl when it was released, his counterpart, played by Anna Chlumsky is every bit as charming as wonderful as Caulkin. Chlumsky's talents were on full display as a kid, talents that would eventually earn her many Emmy nominations for her work as an adult in Veep.

Jonathan Lipnicki

Let's be honest, is there a cuter kid than Jonathan Lipnicki in Jerry Maguire? His charm and unintentional wit is totally off the charts in the rom-com. He even knows how much a human head weighs (8 pounds) and that bees and dogs smell fear. No too shabby. 

Tatum O'Neal

When Tatum O'Neal won the Oscar for starring alongside her father, Ryan O'Neal, in  Paper Moon in 1974 she became the youngest person to ever win the award at just age 10. That pretty much says it all. While other kids have been nominated, she was the first kid to win. She continued to show her talents and personality in movies like The Bad News Bears and Nickelodeon before personal problems derailed her promising career. 

Henry Thomas

Acor Henry Thomas has had a long career in TV and on film, but the movies we all best remember are when he was a child actor full of skill and personality in movies like E.T. and the underrated Cloak & Dagger. E.T. was one of the most successful movies of all time and is ranked as one of Steven Spielberg's best movies, thanks in large part to Thomas' performance. 

Jaleel White

It's true that Steve Urkel on Family Matters is one of the more polarizing characters in TV history, but Jaleel White's performance as the nerdy neighbor shouldn't be controversial. He was perfect in the role and people are still making references to it decades later, which tells you all you need to know. 

Hailee Steinfeld

In literature, there are few kids with more personality than Mattie Ross in Charles Portis' classic novel True Grit. It takes a young actor with an equally big personality to play her on-screen and in the Coen Brother's 2010 adaption, Hailee Steinfeld just crushes the role. 

Drew Barrymore

When you come from Hollywood royalty, like the Barrymore family, you'd better have some acting chops. Drew Barrymore proved just how great she was before she was even seven years old when she starred in her breakout role as Gertie in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She continued acting as a kid in movies like Firestarter and Irreconcilable Differences, before moving on to adult roles and eventually, her own talk show. 

Keshia Knight Pulliam

The Cosby Show was among the most popular shows of the 1980s and while Bill Cosby was undoubtedly the star of the show, Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played the youngest Huxtable child, Rudy, stole a TON of scenes in every season. Who could ever forget the lip-syncing scenes with the whole family, and not immediately recall her legendary moments in those scenes? 

Hayley Mills

How about not one, but two roles that prove just how much personality one child actor can show off? For Hayley Mills, The Parent Trap wasn't her first movie, but it is the one most remembered from her child-acting days. She plays both twins in the movie and does it so well, that you'd swear it would have to be two people, even though they look alike. 

Abigail Breslin

Little Miss Sunshine was the surprise hit of 2006 and that was in no small part (pun intended) to Abigail Breslin's brilliant performance as Olive, the girl at the heart of the dysfunctional family's road trip. you know someone is a star when they stand out from a cast that includes Alan Arkin, Paul Dano, Steve Carell, and Toni Collette.

Anna Paquin

These days Anna Paquin is probably best known for her work in the X-Men series, but she really burst onto the scene as an 11-year-old in The Piano, for which she became one of the youngest actors to ever win an Academy Award. More than three decades later she's still lighting up the screen. 

Alfonso Ribeiro

In the 1980s television was filled with precocious kids tearing it up on shows like Silver Spoons. Ricky Schroeder may have been the star as young Ricky, a role that launched his career, but his best friend, Alfonso, played by Alfonso Ribeiro, stole a lot of the scenes he was in. After Silver Spoons, Ribeiro danced into our hearts as Carlton on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. 

Natalie Portman

It is undeniable that Natalie Portman is one of the finest actors of her generation and her career all started when she was just 12 in Leon: The Professional. It's a complicated role, one that even many adult actors would struggle with, but Portman showed right away just what kind of acting chops she had in the movie. It's a challenging role for audiences, thanks to her fantastic performance. 

Alyssa Milano

Alyssa Milano's career has gone through some peaks and valleys, like many actors. One of the highest peaks came when she was just a kid, starring as Samantha in Who's The Boss?, a classic '80s sitcom. Tony Danza played her father and the chemistry between them was legendary. Maybe one day we'll get that reboot we've been waiting for. 

Jerry Mathers

In the whole history of American television, one of the most enduring characters has to be from its golden age in the 1950s, Beaver Cleaver. Played by Jerry Mathers, The Beav was an instant hit with kids and parents alike and the show ran for decades in reruns all over the country. Mathers even returned to play The Beaver during the Baby Boomer nostalgia fad of the 1980s. 

Keisha Castle-Hughes

When Keisha Castle-Hughes was nominated for an Oscar in her breakout role in The Whale Rider, she was the youngest person to ever receive that honor. Her performance is fully deserving of the praise she received and she's continued to receive well-earned praise for her roles in Game of Thrones as Obara Sand, and as Hana Gibson in FBI.

Jodie Foster

Playing a role like Jodie Foster played in Taxi Driver takes a truly special actor. Foster, who was just 14 when she played the complicated role, has gone on to have an incredible and empowering career in Hollywood, but it's hard to imagine her having a tougher assignment than that part, with such adult complications, in Taxi Driver. 

Dafne Keen

There is something so magical about kids playing roles that really wrestle with adult themes and one of the best recent examples is Dafne Keen in Logan. It's a complicated role, dealing with complicated subjects and Keen is sublime throughout the movie. 

Heather O'Rourke

Heather O'Rouke's all too tragic life was taken way too soon. The Poltergeist star died when she was just 12 years old, but in those 12 years, she left a heck of an impression on the world. Her performance in Poltergeist completely steals the legendary horror film. 

Natalie Wood

While Natalie Wood is too often remembered for all the wrong reasons, in her short life (she died when she was just 43), she packed a ton of memorable performances in that life. One of the most enduring has to be her role in Miracle on 34th Street, which came when she was just 9 years old. 

Dancing with the Stars is on the way back to ABC and Disney+ in just a couple more weeks in the 2024 TV schedule, and even though all of the new celebrity contestants haven't been confirmed yet, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro previewed something special that he's bringing to Season 33. The former DWTS champion is proud of the weight that that he lost since the end of Season 32, and he's "ready to rock" in any upcoming dance numbers.

While there have obviously been a whole lot of celeb dancers on the show by the 33rd season, Alfonso Ribeiro has to be one of the most memorable after he broke the internet doing "The Carlton" in Season 19 from his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air days. He returned to the show as a host for Season 31 and joined forces with Julianne Hough for Season 32, which also was the first to introduce the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in honor of the late judge. Ahead of the upcoming Season 33 premiere, Ribeiro told People this:

Pretty much anybody who can dance as part of the Dancing with the Stars team will dance at some point in a season, so it seems like a safe bet that Alfonso Ribeiro will be able to strut his stuff after his weight loss even as a co-host instead of a pro or a contestant. At the time of writing, the only two competitors announced for Season 33 are Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik fresh off of his medals at the 2024 Games in Paris and convicted con artist Anna Delvey, whose exploits inspired Netflix's Inventing Anna.

This won't be the first time that Alfonso Ribeiro has taken the Dancing with the Stars floor after losing some weight. While competing in Season 19 back in 2014, he told ABC News that he'd lost seventeen pounds, and it certainly wasn't by taking it easy. Before he'd even hit the halfway point of his season, he said to the outlet:

Talk about earning the mirrorball trophy! Ribeiro couldn't have known at the time that he'd eventually be the Season 19 champion alongside pro partner Witney Carson, let alone co-hosting DWTS within in a decade. Tom Bergeron was the host when the Fresh Prince alum competed. Tyra Banks was the next to occupy the hosting gig, before she was joined by Ribeiro. Banks ultimately left and was replaced by Julianne Hough, who returns with Ribeiro later this month for fans who watch on ABC or with a Disney+ subscription.

Weight loss isn't uncommon on DWTS due to the sheer amount of cardio and training involved with competing. Just last year, Alyson Hannigan – who ultimately came in fifth place with partner Sasha Farber – shared that she felt "confident and strong" after losing "20 pounds of both weight and emotional baggage" over the course of Season 32. Harry Jowsey had a different experience last season due to what he described as having "so many snacks around" on the DWTS set.

Fortunately, the wait to see Alfonso Ribeiro back in primetime and (hopefully) dancing isn't too much longer. Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars will premiere on Tuesday, September 17. Like Season 32, the episodes will both air on ABC and stream on Disney+.

Alfonso Ribeiro has been one of the hosts of Dancing with the Stars for a while now, but he first appeared on the show as a celebrity contestant during Season 19. During his time on the show, he went viral for doing the Carlton dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and to this day folks still adore that moment. While the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum “broke the internet” competing with the Carlton dance on DWTS, he recently revealed another moment that he absolutely loves.

It was easy for Alfonso Ribeiro and his dance partner Witney Carson to blow away the judges back in 2014. As soon as you heard the familiar Tom Jones tune “It’s Not Unusual,” you knew what was about to happen. When Carson recalled her favorite competitor moments in the show’s history she noted that people “lost their minds” in the best possible way seeing the two of them do The Carlton and how it was an unforgettable experience for her.

Even though her Dancing with the Stars co-winner feels the same way about that special moment, Alfonso Ribeiro told TV Insider another memorable moment of his time on the show that he absolutely loved:

While the Carlton moment brought us our nostalgic feels, I can understand the appeal of “Turn Down For What.” It really was an epic dance, and I loved seeing Ribeiro have not one but two equally talented dance partners take the stage with him. It was an unlikely but brilliant combo to turn the EDM trap song into a Paso Doble dance. Compared to the fun jazz vibes “It’s Not Unusual” gave audiences, “Turn Down For What” had a more serious tone with fast-paced choreography and sharp movements that made this dance completely worthy of all tens.

Fortunately, Alfonso Ribeiro’s time on Dancing with the Stars didn’t end with winning the show’s 19th season. In season 31, the American actor joined DWTS as a co-host alongside Tyra Banks. Once the former America’s Next Top Model judge exited the dance competition series, Ribeiro became the main host alongside Julianne Hough for the following season.

His feelings about his hosting role were nothing short of positive, as he's always excited to bring fun to the other judges and contestants. Considering the former sitcom actor told TV Insider he was a huge fan of the show before becoming a contestant, it must have felt like a dream come true to be able to go from a competitor to host on one of his favorite series.

Dancing with the Stars fans may remember Alfonso Ribeiro’s viral Carlton dance moment on the show that “broke the internet.” However, the co-host’s other favorite moment on the show was dancing to “Turn Down For What.” Now, he's making all sorts of new and fun memories on the show as one of its beloved co-hosts.

You can watch your favorite moments of DWTS Season 32 with a Disney+ subscription. Then, make sure to stay up to date with the 2024 TV schedule, because the 33rd season premiere of the ABC series is happening on September 17th.

Alfonso Ribeiro is mourning the loss of a Broadway icon. Three-time Tony winner Hinton Battle, who is known for starring in productions of The Wiz and Dreamgirls, died on January 30. As many in the Broadway community mourned his loss, Ribeiro was among those to pay tribute to his dance mentor and has opened up about his impact.

The Dancing With the Stars co-host took to Instagram to share a tribute to Battle. He shared videos of the two of them dancing on stage together when Ribeiro was quite young. Ribeiro shared a sweet message alongside the videos, sharing just how much Battle meant to him:

Ribeiro had starred in The Tap Dance Musical as Willie in 1983 alongside Hinton Battle, who portrayed Dipsey. The Fresh Prince alum was only 12 at the time of the production, and it sounds like the two became close during the performances. Considering Battle had starred in numerous Broadway productions, it’s pretty remarkable that Ribeiro had him as his mentor. He definitely learned a lot of Battle, and showed off his moves on both Fresh Prince of Bel-Air with "The Carlton" and from winning Dancing With the Stars. He even reunited with partner Witney Carson for a special TikTok that included his Carlton roots.

While Alfonso Ribeiro won DWTS Season 19, he is still very much of the show, of course. He wrapped his second season as a co-host in December, and there’s no indication that he’s leaving any time soon. He and fellow co-host Julianne Hough showed off their own moves in multiple performances during Season 32, and the skills were probably thanks to Hinton Battle. The video that Ribeiro posted proves more than enough that he knows what he’s doing when he’s on the stage.

Ribeiro doesn’t look back too often on his Broadway past, but it’s clear that it still  means a lot to him. Debbie Allen confirmed the news of Hinton’s passing on Instagram, saying he “left us to dance and sing in God’s Ensemble last night.” Many had taken to the comments to share their condolences and tribute, and for Ribeiro, it just took a little bit more time to compose his words, which isn’t surprising since they were close. 

Even though Dancing With the Stars is on hiatus until this fall as part of the 2024 TV schedule, it wouldn’t be surprising if the series paid tribute to Battle in some way. Not only did its co-host have a special connection to the Broadway icon, Battle also choreographed some dances on the ABC reality series, according to People. If that were to happen, Alfonso Ribeiro would definitely have to take part in it, and it would be as special as ever. However, that’s still months away, and there’s no telling if that will happen. Fans will just have to tune in and see.

The Dancing with the Stars family seems to be a very tight-knit unit, as there have been many occasions on which former contestants, hosts and judges have shown up for each other. As of late, much of the community born from the long-running ABC show have been rallying around Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert. Hough confirmed days ago that Erbert fell ill after they performed in Washington D.C. as part of their (now-postponed) Symphony of Dance tour. She ultimately had to have emergency surgery as a result of a cranial hematoma that resulted from a burst blood vessel. The outpouring of support the couple has received has been tremendous, and the latest person to send prayers amid Erbert’s recovery is Alfonso Ribeiro. 

Over the weekend, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum, who co-hosts DWTS alongside Julianne Hough, was one of several series alums to reach out by commenting on a post Derek shared. The former child star subsequently took to his Instagram account to share another message. He shared a photo of Hough and his wife in his post and also shared a direct message in which he asked fans to “put love in your heart” and show their support:

The sentiments are very sweet, and what was also lovely is that a lot of fans took to the comments to share affection for the pair of dancers. Former contestant Alyson Hannigan – who crushed “Monster Night” and more in Season 32 – sweetly responded by saying, “everything for her.” Leave it to someone like Alfonso Ribeiro to set off such a wave of positivity. Historically, he’s used his platforms for good, and it’s simply wonderful to see him doing that on behalf of good friends. 

As mentioned, the current host of America’s Funniest Home Videos was among a group of stars who reached out after Derek Hough provided an update on his spouse’s condition. Also showing love was Candace Cameron Bure – who’s known for supporting her DWTS co-stars, reacted with a string of prayer emojis and a heart. Series pro Koko Iwasaki also said that he’s “continuously praying and sending energy your way.” Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino sent sweet sentiments to the couple as well, saying “our family sends all our love to yours.”

In his latest post, Derek Hough explained that Hayley Erbert is now “on the long road of recovery.” He also took the time to thank the fans and his friends for the wave of support his family has received since he revealed the news. Additionally, the veteran dancer shared his hope that he and his relatives could have “somehow and someway pay it forward.” Hough and Erbert, whose marriage was met with love from many of their colleagues in August 2023, seem to have a large village of people behind them. 

This is a delicate time for the couple, to say the least, and they could surely use all the support they can get. Alfonso Ribeiro (who you can watch on Dancing with the Stars using a Disney+ subscription) definitely makes a great point in that we should show love. It’s a unifying feeling and one that can do a lot of good, especially when it comes to a situation like this. So here’s to sending plenty of that as well as loads of positivity to Hayley Erbert and Derek Hough at this time.

Alfonso Ribeiro is synonymous with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and also is with Dancing with the Stars. And the two shows collided in a way that made sense a few years ago. During his time as a contestant on the ABC dance competition, Ribeiro performed the Carlton dance on air, to much delight. This time, the DWTS co-host reunited with former dance partner Witney Carson to dance to the Fresh Prince theme. After the video went viral on TikTok, Riberio’s friend and former co-star, Will Smith, had some thoughts.

DWTS fans couldn’t hold back their excitement as Witney Carson posted her reunion video with her colleague on her TikTok. However, the former dance partners didn't simply recreate their memorable jazz number from 2014. This time, they substituted Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual” for the iconic TV theme song. Watch the duo nail a 2023 version of the iconic routine in the viral clip below:

Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson's reprisal of their acclaimed dance number seemingly warmed the hearts of many DWTS fans. The latter recently guest starred on the TV dancing competition after taking a break for personal reasons. So it's lovely that the duo made the time to shoot the dance video, and it's not surprising the moment went viral. Its virality led to the Fresh Prince alum posting the reunion on his Instagram account. Upon seeing Ribeiro's update, Will Smith decided to comment on the stellar routine, saying:

There’s nothing like a boost from a friend to make you feel good. Of course, the Oscar winner spent many years watching the America’s Funniest Home Videos host do the “Carlton” regularly on set. Will Smith cheering on Ribeiro was sweet, especially considering the latter never taught the former the actual dance. As the Emancipation star commented, the TV host has still got the moves years later. Everything was just as smooth as the original routine. That shouldn’t be surprising with the Carlton Banks' actors dancing background. However, the viral clip still marked a full-circle moment of sorts as his two worlds collided again.

What's even more special is that the clip is a reminder of the actor and media personality's journey from DWTS performer to co-host. Now, I'm wondering if Fresh Prince fans will see him break out into some moves if he appears on the dramatic reimagining, Bel-Air. At present, though, viewers may have to wait for more dancing from Alfonso Ribeiro as DWTS Season 32 just concluded. That is, unless he posts a dance video not related to the show in the meantime.

If you want to catch up on Dancing with the Stars, get a Hulu or Disney+ subscription. Once you’re done, revisit Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro’s time as frenemy cousins on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which is streaming for Max subscribers. Also, check out our 2024 TV schedule to stay in the know on what the stars have coming up.

Derek Hough is getting all the support from friends after his wife, Hayley Erbert, was hospitalized. The two got married in August after enjoying a year of engagement. During that time, many of their Dancing With the Stars pals shared all the love as they celebrated the couple. Now, they are sharing a different kind of love and support after Erbert’s medical emergency.

Earlier this week, Hough took to Instagram to share that Erbert was taken to the hospital after becoming disoriented. He said she was diagnosed with a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel, and she had to get an emergency craniectomy. On Friday night, Hough returned to Instagram to give an update on his wife, praising her resilience and thanking everyone for all of their support:

After the good news was posted, many of Hough and Erbert’s DWTS colleagues responded and gave their full support with plenty of thoughts and prayers. DWTS co-host and previous Mirrorball champion Alfonso Ribeiro spoke for many when he told his colleague there was no need to thank people for their prayers:

DWTS pro Koko Iwasaki’s message was short but sweet and filled with lots of hearts that show she is constantly thinking about them:

Academy Award winner Mira Sorvino, who competed on Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars, was as happy to hear the good news and gave all her love to the duo:

Former DWTS contestant Candace Cameron Bure gave all her love to the Season 32 contestants, and now she is giving all of it to Derek Hough and Hayley Erbert. All she put in her comment was emojis, but they are definitely worth a thousand words:

Plenty of others took to the comments and have likely been anxiously awaiting good news and updates. Going through any type of medical emergency is scary, but the support system Hough and Erbert have is incredible and will help them get through this. It’s going to be a long road to recovery, but it’s nothing the two of them can’t handle. 

Here are some more of the loving messages their friends sent in support:

• Nikki Garcia: ❤️❤️❤️
• Allison Holker: Sending all my love
• Chrishell Stause: So happy she is ok🙏🏼♥️
• Amy Purdy: We love you both so much! Hayley is a warrior!! Let all the love sink in and give you strength as you continue to move forward on your healing journey. Sending you both love and prayers for a full recovery. 🙌❤️‍🩹🙌
• Jennifer Love Hewitt: Haven’t stopped praying and won’t stop. So glad you have each other and beautiful families to help her and you. Sending you all healing and love ❤️
• Nina Dobrev: We love you both 

While Dancing With the Stars did just crown its first Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy recipient as part of the 2023 TV schedule during a supersized finale, Derek Hough has been on tour with Erbert and while filming DWTS in between shows. According to his official website, his Symphony of Dance tour has been postponed. 

The remaining dates will be rescheduled, likely once Hayley Erbert is fully recovered. Aside from the tour, hopefully, she has a speedy recovery, but at least she has the support and love from not only her husband but from friends and fans alike.

Dancing With the Stars went all out when it celebrated the Walt Disney Company’s 100th anniversary during its October 17 episode. The night was appropriately filled with magic -- and some might even say pixie dust as well. While the couples were dressed up as beloved characters to go with their themed performances, they weren’t the only ones getting in on the fun. Series co-host Alfonso Ribeiro’s daughter came along for the journey, too, and the video of her experience is so adorable.

The Fresh Prince alum shared his very sweet video to Instagram, and it perfectly highlighted the experience that his daughter, Ava, had while at the show. The actor noted that she had “the best time” and was even able to dress up as a Disney princess, with all of the glam included. But of course, she took a nap before her big debut. Check out the post:

Cue all of the "awws." The scenario is so sweet, but the fact that it was also her first time being at a Dancing With the Stars show makes it all the more special. I can’t think of a better time to visit than on Disney100 Night, and I'm sure the young lady was more than amused that Mickey and Minnie were in the house as well. It's great to see that Ava had such a great night. There's probably a good chance this won't be the last time she visits DWTS, though it may be hard for any of her subsequent visits to top this one.

Alfonso Ribeiro has dropped some sweet and personal posts as of late. On top of his daughter visiting the set for the first time, he also recently celebrated a big milestone with his wife. The couple just marked their 11th wedding anniversary. In the post he used to commemorate the occasion, Ribeiro praised his wife, Angela, for all that she does for the family. The former child actor is a man who always seems to be on the move, but it's always lovely whenever he carves out time to shoutout his loved ones. 

Meanwhile, fans surely loved that Dancing With the Stars was magical last week, yet it's about to get emotional. Former pros are returning to pay tribute to late judge Len Goodman, who died earlier this year. The series also memorialized him by renamed the Mirrorball Trophy in Goodman's honor. The late ballroom dancer may no longer be with us, but his memory will certainly live on.

That tribute is sure to be as memorable as Disney100 Night was. And of course, there are other themed nights set to take place before the season ends. So Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, who enjoy co-hosting, will surely be present for them. And time will tell if the adorable Ava Ribeiro returns for a night as well. 

Those angling to watch Dancing With the Stars should tune in on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC or stream it with a Disney+ subscription. Also, take a look at the 2023 TV schedule for other primetime viewing options.

Dancing With the Stars is in full swing for its 32nd season, and I'm so glad it's back on ABC. The long-running series instituted some big changes for this season, and that included bringing in Julianne Hough as co-host to replace Tyra Banks, who exited after Season 31. Alfonso Ribeiro is once again co-hosting, and he and Hough seem very happy to be co-hosting together. That was evident in a BTS post Hough shared, which was fun, but what really has me in my feels is Ribeiro's personal life post.

Julianne Hough was eager to return to the ballroom, as the show is closely intertwined with her career. The dancer and actress joined DWTS in 2007 and won two seasons before leaving in 2009. She returned as a judge in 2014 and left in 2017. Now, six years later, she's back as a co-host, and it almost feels like she never left. She decided to give fans an inside look at what goes on behind the scenes of the show by sharing a video to TikTok. Needless to say, it looks like she and the team have a blast:

It's one thing to hear that a lot of work that goes into making Dancing With the Stars work each week, but it's something else entirely to see it. Everyone seemed to be putting in maximum effort, and that included the two co-hosts. Some may forget that they themselves also get in on the dance numbers here and there. Their respective skills are surely why producers were so eager to tap them for the gigs. The duo has garnered praise from fans and love from replace Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, and it's great to see that they've more than stepped up to the plate for their jobs. 

As Julianne Hough gushed about her time working on DWTS Season 32, Alfonso Ribeiro -- who won the competition during Season 19 -- got reflective about married life. The former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast member took to Instagram to share a very heartfelt and lengthy message about his wife, Angela, on their wedding anniversary. Ribeiro's sentiments are lovely enough, but he also dropped two sweet photos, including one from their big day, that are sure to warm your heart, too:

The couple -- who share three children -- married in 2012 and, from the looks of the post, their love is still strong. As you can see above, the AFHV host praised his wife for doing “whatever it takes to make our entire family as healthy as possible while creating the most happy space.” His words are sure to resonate with those who've felt such love for a spouse. The Ribeiros are truly relationship goals and, after 11 years of marriage, let's hope they still have plenty to go.

Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro surely dazzle fans on the small screen, but you have to appreciate how they can give a person all feels through their social media posts. Chances are that's not the last time either will share anything that's fun or sentimental, and I'm looking forward to whatever tidbits they share next. 

Fans will have to make sure to tune in on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC to see them thrive even more on Dancing With the Stars, which airs as part of the 2023 TV schedule.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air may have ended years ago, but the cast is still very close with each other amidst their feuds. That’s especially proven to be true in the Fresh Prince reunion on Max. Perhaps one of the best friendships to come from the series, both on-screen and off, is between Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro as Will and Carlton, respectively. The two are part of some of the funniest moments on the NBC sitcom, and now I just found out the actors' birthdays are very close to each other, which is even better.

Just a few days ago, Smith made sure to give his former co-star a shoutout for his birthday on Instagram. It was complete with a 90s-themed pillow with Ribeiro’s face on it, and it definitely seems like Smith uses it from time to time. Or he at least keeps it on his couch so his buddy is always around even when he’s not there in person:

If Will Smith posing with an Alfonso Ribeiro pillow wasn’t good enough, the DWTS co-host solidified their friendship. Yesterday, he shared his own birthday post for his former co-star on Instagram, proving that the friendship between Will and Carlton is still very much alive:

It’s a pretty fun coincidence that their birthdays are so close to each other. Ribeiro’s is September 21, while Smith’s is September 25. The fact that there’s a chance their birthdays were celebrated on the set of Fresh Prince together means that they probably partied pretty hard back then, even if it was only on the set. Having a birthday close to a friend’s brings them even closer, and it’s blowing my mind that Smith and Ribeiro are that close, and I’m only just now finding out about it. 

Even after all these years, seeing that Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro are still close is a nice sight. Last year, Ribeiro even saw Smith’s latest film, King Richard. He revealed he enjoyed the movie, and he praised his Fresh Prince co-star. Either it’s been a while, or this is the first time they both have publicly wished each other a happy birthday, and the revelation is mind-blowing. 

Just before wishing Ribeiro a happy birthday, Smith celebrated another exciting occasion earlier this month. The actor marked the 33rd anniversary of Fresh Prince in true Fresh Prince fashion by throwing it back to a time he visited the iconic mansion in 2020. The photo was also taken when he and the rest of the cast took a tour of the house ahead of the reunion special, so it makes the post even more heartwarming and special. 

Three decades is definitely a long time, and it seems like these two will be friends for life. Fans can rewatch the best moments with Will, Carlton, and co. with a Max subscription.

Dancing with the Stars Season 32 is facing some big changes, most notably when it comes to the hosts. After Tyra Banks announced she was stepping down as co-host of the dancing series after just three seasons, we found out Julianne Hough would be taking her place. Now that Hough will be joining Alfonso Ribeiro as the co-host of the dance competition, the two are opening up about how they feel working together on the upcoming season of the Disney+ series.

Julianne Hough’s long history with Dancing with the Stars was the perfect reason to bring her in to host with Alfonso Ribeiro, and it seems like she agrees. The two spoke to ET about their exciting new journey together, and Hough called it a full circle moment. She’s also clearly ready to get back to the ballroom, whether she’s dancing or hosting, saying:

Hough joined DWTS back in 2007 as a pro dancer and left only two years later. She returned as a judge in 2014 and sat on the panel until 2017. Considering her history, becoming a host feels like a natural step, and pro dancer Gleb Savchenko even expressed his excitement to work with her. While it will take some time to get used to seeing someone new in the hosting gig, it’s going to be great having Hough back in the ballroom. It'll also be so fun to see her back on screen with her brother Derek Hough, who is serving as a judge. 

Meanwhile, Alfonso Ribeiro, who joined the show last year, will no longer be the newbie host. Aside from that, though, the Fresh Prince alum is looking forward to working with Hough and making DWTS a family once again:

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are definitely a match made in heaven, and it’s going to be exciting to see the energy they bring to the ballroom. While a premiere date for Season 32 has yet to be announced, it sounds like the two are already talking about the upcoming season, likely getting acquainted with each other to bring the best they can to Dancing with the Stars.

The hosting changes on Dancing with the Stars marks the latest shifts for the reality show. Longtime judge Len Goodman retired after Season 31, while pro dancer Cheryl Burke announced her departure as well. This also comes after the show’s first season on Disney+, a major move for DWTS after being on ABC. It should be interesting to see how Season 32 goes now that the series is starting to find its footing on streaming.

Seeing how Ribeiro and Hough do as co-hosts will definitely be something to look forward to when Dancing with the Stars finally premieres as part of the 2023 TV schedule. Just make sure to sign up for a Disney+ subscription to watch Dancing with the Stars Season 32!

Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars is seeing quite a lot of changes already. Even before Season 31 ended, it was announced that the series would be losing a few pro dancers and even some notable judges. Then, it was announced that Tyra Banks was stepping down as co-host, with DWTS vet Julianne Hough set to take the reigns. Now, pro dancer Gleb Savchenko is opening up about the hosting changes.

While at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards, longtime DWTS pro Gleb Savchenko talked to E! News about Julianne Hough coming on board as a co-host. It’s no secret that Hough has a dancing background, one that also includes Dancing With the Stars as both a pro dancer and judge. So, because of this Savchenko said that he is as excited as ever to have her back, and he is even hoping to dance alongside her in the upcoming season:

Savchenko’s sentiments about Hough echo what Derek Hough said about his sister, pointing out that she is perfect for the job. Not only does she have a background in dance, she's also being familiar with Dancing With the Stars, and she has had many other hosting gigs in the past. Overall, it's going to be exciting to see how she does in a different position alongside Alfonso Ribeiro, who will no longer be the newbie host. Speaking of Ribeiro, Savchenko noted that Hough is in great company with him, saying: 

As for Tyra Banks, it sounds like despite some controversial moments during her time on DWTS, Gleb Savchenko is sad to see her leave. However, he knows she'll succeed in whatever she does next, saying:

Tyra Banks is quite the businesswoman, and she’s kept busy amid Dancing With the Stars, so it’s not surprising that she ultimately decided to leave and focus on her other companies. Luckily she weighed in on Julianne Hough replacing her, and had nothing but nice things to say, especially considering that the Hough siblings will be on the series together again. It’s always possible that Banks could drop by the studio every now and then, but as of now, she’s putting DWTS in her rearview mirror.

Julianne Hough is in good hands on Dancing With the Stars, and having the history she does with the show, plus a sibling working there will likely make the transition smooth. However, that doesn’t make it any less scary. Since a premiere date for Season 32 has yet to be announced, Hough has some time to prepare, get the nerves out, and maybe get advice from former and fan-favorite hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews.

Just a reminder that Dancing With the Stars is now a streaming series, so be sure you’re signed up for a Disney+ subscription so you’re able to watch Season 32 to see Julianne Hough definitely kill it as a co-host alongside Alfonso Ribeiro!

Carlton Banks was viewed as the corny and stuck-up cousin of Will Smith on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But while Carlton was the foil to Will’s antics most times, he had some hilarious moments, which were perfectly executed by Alfonso Ribeiro. The actor, who admitted to resenting the Carlton character for years, has been open about his time on the show and what it was like to play some of the preppy student's funniest moments. When discussing the show just recently, the actor recalled his favorite moment. (And no, it doesn't involve the much-requested Carlton dance.) 

The America’s Funniest Home Videos host often went toe-to-toe with Will Smith on the show and that led to some pretty hilarious situations. While promoting AFV and Dancing with the Stars with Gizmodo, the star explained that there's one particular moment involving their two characters that truly stands out as his favorite. Ribeiro pointed out the much-talked-about ending of the Fresh Prince episode “Will’s Misery.” The television personality recalled how the scene came to be:

So the memorable scene was just a last-minute decision that resulted in comedy gold. The mere thought of Carlton running through the set is enough to make one laugh. The moment proved that Alfonso Ribeiro could match or outdo Will Smith’s ability to go for the laughs. The scene was pivotal in changing his view of Fresh Prince. And from a narrative standpoint, it was a perfect way to end the episode, given that Will was trying to get back at Carlton for helping a sorority play a trick on him.

The scene was also unique as not too many shows were breaking the fourth wall outside of Saved By the Bell. Alfonso Ribeiro, during the same interview, shed more light on just how the moment came to be and what was initially planned for it:

It was nice to know the director and crew were willing to take the actor's advice and go with it. It's interesting how the some of the most memorable moments in TV or film can be birthed from something like a last-minute suggestion. I, for one, am glad that the Carlton Banks actor spoke out and that he now has an awesome memory as a result.

If you want to revisit the episode, you can stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air using an HBO Max subscription. Don't forget to watch some of the best Carlton episodes while you're at it. You can also look over CinemaBlend's 2022 TV schedule so you'll know when you can catch Alfonso Ribeiro on America’s Funniest Home Videos on ABC and Dancing with the Stars on Disney+.

On The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Carlton Banks did well if he got one or two love interests a season. Meanwhile, his cousin, Will Smith, had a cavalcade of girlfriends over six seasons -- with one or two serious relationships in the mix. It seemed things might turn for Alfonso Ribeiro when one of the show’s most notable guest stars, Tyra Banks, popped up as Jackie in Season 4. Unfortunately, those plans didn’t work out, as she was revealed to be a childhood friend of Will. Years after the series ended, the Fresh Prince alums recalled their co-star's character cutting their on-screen romance short.

The former co-stars have reconnected but not romantically, as they prepare to co-host the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. It's hard to believe that the two entertainers haven’t shared the screen since The Fresh Prince Season 4. While speaking about the new season with The New York Post, Tyra Banks and Alfonso Ribeiro reminisced about the short-lived romance between Carlton and Jackie. It led to the following exchange between the co-hosts:  

Tyra Banks: We were love interests for one act. … It was Jackie, and Carlton and we were so into each other.

Alfonso Ribeiro: And then she sees Will. And the short guy gets dissed again. And it broke my heart a little bit.

Of course, Will Smith had come between Banks and Ribeiro. I mean, it wouldn’t have been The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air if Will (the character) didn’t get all the beautiful women who came through the classic sitcom. Unfortunately, it was to the detriment of Carlton’s love life.

After mentioning Alfonso Ribeiro mentioned that Carlton was heartbroken over the missed connection, the America’s Next Top Model creator got a little cheeky. She asked Ribeiro if it was him or his character that felt the pain. Ribeiro quipped that both he and Carlton were heartbroken over the situation. The fan-favorite actor went on to explain why he was disappointed by the development:

It's understandable that the star would've wanted the geeky Carlton to finally get a meaningful relationship, especially as the character began college. Sure, the preppy Bel-Air native had a few notable flings, but no recurring love that spanned a season or two. While Carlton wasn't made worse for not having had a steady girlfriend, a romance could've been great for him.

When it comes to Dancing with the Stars, viewers should only expect sparks to fly between those on the dancefloor, though. The reality dancing competition series’ shift to streaming marked Alfonso Ribeiro's new role after Tyra Banks hosted solo for Seasons 29 and 30. )The new season will premiere on September 19 and will be accessible with a Disney+ subscription.) Upon hearing the news of his hiring, former hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews sent Ribeiro some love. The congratulations were a full-circle moment as the Fresh Prince star credited his AFHV predecessor for getting him back on track in Hollywood.

But getting back to Fresh Prince, it would've been interesting had Jackie and Carlton paired up. I guess, at the very least, we can appreciate the fact that the actors who played them would've been all for it. It's a small bit of validation but validation nonetheless.

If you want to reminisce about what could’ve been between Alfonso Ribeiro and Tyra Banks, binge The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Season 4 by getting an HBO Max subscription. After you finish watching that season, watch every other season of the classic sitcom to see Carlton and Will’s relationship grow.

It was recently announced that Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vet Alfonso Ribeiro will be joining Dancing with the Stars as its newest co-host and will perform his duties alongside Tyra Banks. It's definitely a major moment for the star, though the accomplishment just got a bit sweeter. This is because former hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews showed him some love after he landed his new gig.

Tom Bergeron, who served as the host of Dancing with the Stars during its first 28 seasons, took to Instagram to share some sweet words about the reality show’s newest personality. Bergeron shared a couple throwback pictures to when Alfonso Ribeiro competed on DWTS during Season 19, and I can't think of a sweeter way for him to have passed the torch (or mic, I should say). Check out the post down below:

That tribute was lovely enough on its own, but the fact that Erin Andrews added to it only amplified the occasion. Andrews, who began her stint on the series during Season 18 left alongside her former cohort, responded in a very sweet and congratulatory way:

Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews’ departures at the end of Season 28 were definitely surprising. Even Mirrorball champ Jordan Fisher referred to Tyra Banks as an “odd"replacement. Despite their exits though, the Bergeron and Andrews have remained close. Also, fans remained hopeful that Bergeron would return to the competition series. While that hasn't panned out, it's great that he and Andrews are excited for their newest successor.

Alfonso Ribeiro and Tom Bergeron seem to have a very close relationship. Last year, the actor credited Bergeron for helping him get back on track when he was having post-Fresh Prince issues in Hollywood amid his participation on the ABC show. He admitted that Bergeron even pushed for him to be the next host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a job that Ribeiro still has today.

While Tyra Banks' hosting has marred with "diva" accusations, she and her new colleague should make for a fun pair of hosts. Their joint tenure coincides with the start of a new era in the franchise's history, as DWTS has moved away from ABC and now calls Disney+ home. On top of that, there's been speculation that some pros may be leaving ahead of Season 31.

Alfonso Ribeiro should definitely inject some well-needed energy (and maybe a Carlton dance or two) into the new season of Dancing with the Stars. And with a loving fanbase and the thumbs up from Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, he certainly has a strong support system behind him as he starts the new job.

Dancing with the Stars Season 31's release date has yet to be announced, but you'll want to be sure to have a Disney+ subscription so you can catch it. Also, check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to learn about other shows that are headed to the small screen this year.

The upcoming 31st season of Dancing With the Stars will see a number of changes. Not only will it premiere on Disney+ for the first time after airing on ABC since the show’s start, but host Tyra Banks will be joined by a co-host. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vet and former Mirrorball champ Alfonso Ribeiro will co-host DWTS for Season 31, and now I’m hoping the Carlton is involved.

It was recently announced that Alfonso Ribeiro, who memorably played Carlton Banks on NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in the '90s, will return to the ballroom on DWTS as Tyra Banks’ co-host. For Season 19 of the competition series, he was partnered with Whitney Carson in 2014 and won the season. The actor then returned for Season 25 in 2017 and participated in a trio Jive performance with Carson and Frankie Muniz.

Alfonso Ribeiro definitely has plenty of dancing experience aside from Dancing With the Stars. While on Fresh Prince, he famously created “The Carlton,” a dance routine his character of the same name would frequently perform on the sitcom. And it’s something that he still gets asked about to this day, but don’t expect him to do it for you. Hopefully with him returning to DWTS, he breaks out his dancing shoes and does it once or twice.

Despite Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ending over 25 years ago, the series still remains a favorite among fans, and the Carlton will never die down. Last year, Alfonso Ribeiro admitted that while he did add elements to the dance during the show’s six-season run, the main dance was established from the very beginning. Many have tried and failed to recreate it, including Will Smith, but Ribeiro will always do it perfectly.

Meanwhile, Ribeiro is no stranger to hosting. Since 2015, he has served as host and narrator for ABC’s long-running series America’s Funniest Home Videos, taking up the mantle from John Fugelsang, Daisy Fuentes, former DWTS host Tom Bergeron and the late Bob Saget. Since 2021, he’s been hosting AFV’s Animal Edition spinoff on Nat Geo Wild.

As of now, there is no set premiere date for Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars, but it will premiere this fall as the first live series to stream on Disney+. With Alfonso Ribeiro coming on as co-host, whether or not some of the pro dancers will leave is still up in the air. Fingers crossed if there are any more changes, they will continue to be good and not bad, though it’s hard to tell with the move from ABC to Disney+.

Make sure you have a Disney+ subscription so you can catch Season 31 of Dancing With the Stars! Check out CinemaBlend’s 2022 TV schedule to see what to look out for in the coming months.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most beloved comedies of the 90s, and still today, people are watching and identifying with it. With a successful reboot on Peacock, the Will Smith-led series will likely not be going away any time soon. And something from the series that will never go away is the fan-favorite Carlton dance, much to Alfonso Ribeiro's chagrin. Now the actor is opening up about getting asked to do it by fans nearly 26 years after the show ended.

Alfonso Ribeiro portrayed Carlton Banks during Fresh Prince’s six-season run. Having done the popular dance numerous times throughout the show’s run, Ribeiro admitted on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he’s not nearly as fond of the dance as fans are, and if you ask him to do the dance while out in public, you may not like his answer:

It makes sense that Alfonso Ribeiro feels that way when fans ask him to do the Carlton. He is not his Fresh Prince character, and he's under zero obligation to put on a show for strangers. He has occasionally skillfully performed the Carlton dance for Dancing with the Stars or in other contexts, but I totally get him not wanting to constantly do it for random strangers on the street.

Not only does Ribeiro not want to do the dance most of the time, but he also mentioned wanting to know what is going through someone’s mind when they ask for the favor. The actor admitted that it’s “weird” that people or OK with asking a random person to “dance” for them:

Even with all this in mind, this doesn’t mean that Alfonso Ribeiro is anti-talking about his Fresh Prince roots. Last year, he discussed doing the dance for the first time and how he added elements to it during the show’s run, saying the “dance was the dance” from the very beginning. While Ribeiro may not appreciate the Carlton as much as he used to, at least he knows how many people still do.

Meanwhile, fans are not the only ones who love the Carlton. In 2021, Ribeiro admitted to wanting to make Will Smith look bad. He refused to teach his co-star the dance simply because he didn’t want him to perfect his signature dance. It makes sense the actor didn't want to be overshadowed by something, or someone, else. The actor may not want to do the dance on command, but it's still his thing.

Fans should probably stop asking to see Alfonso Ribeiro do the Carlton IRL, but they can still watch him as Carlton Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. There are plenty of Carlton-centric episodes of the NBC sitcom that will get you in the mood that are available to stream on HBO Max with a subscription.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is streaming on HBO Max in full if you ever want to rewatch the rest of the series while you're at it.

Will Smith has delivered some strong performances in some excellent films, such as Six Degrees of Separation, Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness. Well, you can add this year’s King Richard to that list, as Smith channels Richard Williams in a perfect way. The film is gaining plenty of momentum as awards season prepares to kick off, and many are taking particular note of the lead actor’s work. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Alfonso Ribeiro is among those who have seen the movie, and he has a pretty funny take on it.

The Carlton Banks actor has always been honest when it comes to his former co-star, whether it be in regards to his viral dad bod pic or his recently released memoir. While speaking with Access Hollywood, the America’s Funniest Home Videos host revealed that he enjoyed the movie. He even mentioned that the movie “inspired” him in a pretty humorous way:

It’s honestly hard not to get swept up into the inspirational tone of Reinaldo Marcus Green’s sports biopic when you’re watching it. Now, I wouldn’t say that I felt compelled to hop onto a tennis court myself or to start formulating a plan for my potential future children like Richard Williams did. Nevertheless, you can certainly see where Alfonso Ribeiro is coming from. 

This seemed to be a very personal project for Will Smith, considering that it’s an intimate story and he plays a father in it. And as it turns out, he’s had great respect for Venus and Serena Williams’ father for some time now. The actor recently recalled watching an interview a reporter conducted with a young Venus years ago, during which the older Williams intervened. The devoted dad and coach did so in order to allow his daughter to better articulate her thoughts. Smith explained that the moment always stuck with him and that he’d hoped to serve as a similar presence for his own kids. 

The Oscar-nominated star’s admiration of the man and commitment to his eventual role seem to have paid off in a big way. So far, he’s been nominated for a number of honors and just received Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice nods this week. Aunjanue Ellis, who plays family matriarch Oracene Price, is also receiving awards love. Additionally, “Be Alive,” Beyoncé’s hit single from the film, seems to be headed for some Oscars love. 

The movie will be up against some stiff competition this year, but it does have the chance to make some serious noise. As time goes on, movie buffs will see just how the Will Smith-led drama fares against its peers. Meanwhile, some may also want to keep an eye on Alfonso Ribeiro and his brood to see if he’s able to churn out some champions of his own.

Those who’ve yet to see King Richard, and the cast and crew’s impeccable work in it, can see it in theaters now.

Will Smith has never been shy about sharing details from his life, but he's gone above and beyond over the past several months. He's shared a number of surprising revelations, many of which come from his newly released memoir, Will. Devoted and casual fans have been clamoring to learn more about the Hollywood star, but not everyone is chomping at the bit to read every juicy tidbit from Smith’s life. One of those hesitant parties is his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air co-star, Alfonso Ribeiro. The America’s Funniest Home Videos host recently spoke on why he’s unsure if he’ll read the book.

Having worked with and been friends with Will Smith for decades, the Fresh Prince alum has witnessed and shared in multiple events and moments from the King Richard star’s life. The Carlton Banks actor, of course, knew a lot about Smith and his family before the public at large found out. And it seems that closeness might deter the fan-favorite actor from cracking open his former co-star’s book. The TV personality took the chance to express his views while talking to Extra, saying:                                                                                                                           

Knowing someone personally would keep anyone from wanting to read their words and thoughts. In the the case for Alfonso Ribeiro, he’s surely lived some of the many stories that his old friend spoke discussed in his book. So there’s no reason for him to grab some hot tea, sit in a comfy chair and crack open the memoir for himself.

But as mentioned, he isn’t the only one that not interested in learning more about Will Smith and his family. Some fans (and haters) decided to start an online petition to stop the media from interviewing Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Currently, the petition has over 22,000 signatures. The signers believe the couple have been over-sharing about their lives in recent years. The pushback seems to be the combination of the media blitz surrounding Smith's King Richard, his new book and Pinkett Smith’s recent Red Table Talk episodes.

Whether you're enjoying it or not, most would agree that the beloved actor has gotten very personal. The Gemini Man star gave key anecdotes about his life, like his relationship with his wife, a $10,000 loan he got from a drug dealer and a call from his late father about Independence Day’s opening numbers. Given the varied nature of the stories, it's probably not too surprising that some of the details didn’t sit well with certain fans.

It'll be interesting to see if Alfonso Ribeiro ever does end up cracking open the heavily-discussed book. But regardless of whether he does or doesn't it's likely that it won't impact his years-long friendship with the man once known as the Fresh Prince.

The idea of the Muppets spending the night in the spookiest of Walt Disney World’s famous attractions is so brilliantly funny on its own that I am surprised it has never been done before. The fact that the the likes of Will Arnett, former Community cast member Yvette Nicole Brown, Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson, and Darren Criss from the Glee cast will be joining them makes me even more excited to see the Disney+ original special. There are plenty of other humans in the Muppets Haunted Mansion cast to look forward to seeing interact with Jim Henson’s iconic creations, but we will begin with our spirited guide.

Will Arnett (Ghost Host)

In Disney’s original attraction, the Ghost Host is a disembodied voice, but in Muppets Haunted Mansion, the felted friends are guided by multi-Emmy nominee Will Arnett, who first skyrocketed to fame in the Arrested Development cast as the despicable Gob Bluth. The Canadian actor might have even gotten this part with his voice alone, which is famous from his role as Batman in both of the LEGO Movie installments and his own spin-off, as well as the animated Netflix original, Bojack Horseman, as the title character. Arnett will next lend his voice to the 2022 monster comedy, Rumble, and you can currently see him on The Morning Show Season 2 on Apple TV+.

Taraji P. Henson (Constance Hatchaway)

One of the most famous (and sinister) entities from the Haunted Mansion attraction is Constance Hatchaway (otherwise known as “The Black Widow Bride”), who will be brought to life in Muppets Haunted Mansion by Taraji P. Henson (no relation to Jim) - best known for her Golden Globe-winning role on Empire as Cookie Lyon, whose own spin-off is now in the works. On the big screen, she earned an Oscar nomination for playing Brad Pitt’s adoptive mother in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, earned praise for the Oscar-nominated biopic Hidden Figures, and earned laughs in movies like Date Night, Think Like a Man, and What Men Want (a gender-swapped update of What Women Want). She will also lend her voice, in 2022, to Minions: The Rise of Gru and is playing Miss Hannigan in NBC’s upcoming Annie Live! broadcast.

Darren Criss (The Caretaker) 

Someone with previous experience performing in musicals is Glee alum Darren Criss, who stars as the Caretaker of the Haunted Mansion in the Disney+ special, which is not too far from qualifying for one of his darkest roles to date. The 34-year-old appeared on American Horror Story: Hotel, won an Emmy as Gianni Versace’s killer in American Crime Story Season 2, and has crossed comic book adaptations off his bucket list by voicing Superman in two animated DC movies, Raphael in Batman vs. the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and playing Music Meister in the Arrowverse shows. The star of Netflix’s Hollywood miniseries has also recently lent his voice to two original anime series for the platform (Yasuke and Trese), and to Rick and Morty Season 5, as well.

Yvette Nicole Brown (The Hearse Driver)

Rick and Morty co-creator Dan Harmon made a star out of Emmy nominee Yvette Nicole Brown (who drives the horse-drawn hearse in Muppets Haunted Mansion) by casting her as Shirley Bennett on Community, despite already achieving sitcom royalty for younger audiences as Helen on Nickelodeon’s Drake & Josh. She was also a series regular on CBS’ The Odd Couple reboot, had a recurring role on Mom, and has been involved with both Marvel movies and DC TV shows with an Avengers: Endgame cameo and by voicing a lighter version of Amanda Waller on DC Super Hero Girls (to name just a couple). Her next big Disney project is Disenchanted - the long-awaited Enchanted sequel.

Chrissy Metz (Harriet)

Muppets Haunted Mansion finally confirms that Harriet (whose name appears on a tombstone in the attraction) is a ghostly opera singer seen near its end, who is played in the special by Chrissy Metz. One of her earliest breakthroughs (not meant to be a pun relating to her part in the 2019 faith-based film Breakthrough, initially at least) was playing Ima “Barbara” Wiggles on American Horror Story in its fourth season, but it was her Emmy-nominated role on This Is Us that made her a household name. She will continue to voice Mei Mei on Season 2 on Amazon Prime’s series spin-off from Kung Fu Panda, and her upcoming drama, Stay Awake, is in post-production.

Alfonso Ribeiro (Fred)

Playing Fred, a man who died when a "great big rock fell on his head,” in Muppets Haunted Mansion is Alfonso Ribiero, whom you may recognize best from the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast as Carlton Banks. If you do recognize him by his real name, then you must be a fan of Dancing with the Stars (on which he has appeared as a contestant and guest judge) or of America’s Funniest Home Videos, which he has hosted since 2015. 

Sasheer Zamata (Mary) 

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the inspiration for a few funny sketches on Saturday Night Live, on which Sasheer Zamata was a main cast member from 2013 to 2017 before playing a ghost named Mary in Muppets Haunted Mansion. In addition to other comedies like the Amy Shumer movie I Feel Pretty from 2018, the animated Tuca and Bertie, or Netflix’s The Mitchells vs The Machines, the actress has also starred in darker films, such as Blumhouse’s Sleight in 2017 or the Joe Keery-led found footage thriller, Spree, in 2020. She is currently a series regular on ABC’s Home Economics and will voice a role in Disney Channel’s upcoming series Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.

John Stamos (Himself) 

John Stamos has played many different kinds of characters since he became a star by joining the Full House cast as Jesse Katsopolis (whom he reprised on Netflix’s Fuller House). The actor has been a doctor (on ER, Glee, and You), a suave burglar (on short-lived ABC drama Thieves), a celebrity publicist (on short-lived ABC dramedy Jake in Progress), a playboy restaurateur (on Fox’s Grandfathered), and even a killer (in the 1991 TV movie Captive). However, it seems quite fitting that he is credited as himself in the Muppets Haunted Mansion cast.

Danny Trejo (Huet) 

I would not have been surprised if Danny Trejo was also playing himself in Muppets Haunted Mansion, but I love the idea of him playing one of the attraction’s most famous unseen characters, Huet. The 77-year-old Mexican-American actor and former convict’s breakout acting role was in Heat from 1995, the same year as Desperado - his first of many collaborations with Robert Rodriguez, including From Dusk Till Dawn and the Spy Kids movies. The next of his 400-plus credits will see him re-team with Taraji P. Henson in Minions: The Rise of Gru and, hopefully, his most badass character ever will return in Machete Kills… in Space soon.

Ed Asner (Claude) 

Since starting his career in the late 1950s, seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner became a legend of both the big and small screen, from his role as Lou Grant on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, to playing Santa alongside Will Ferrell in Elf in 2003. The role of Claude in Muppets Haunted Mansion marks the final collaboration with Disney for the Up actor, who passed away in August 2021 at the age of 91. However, he is set to appear posthumously in several more titles, including a documentary profiling Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the star-studded animated film, Back Home Again.

Craig Robinson (Singing Bust #2)

One of the five Muppets Haunted Mansion cast members portraying the famous Singing Busts is Craig Robinson, who would evolve into one of the most prominent voices in comedy after his recurring stint in the Office cast as Darryl Philbin became a series regular role. This promotion came following the comedian’s starring roles in hit movies like Zack and Miri Make a Porno from 2007, Pineapple Express in 2008 and 2010’s Hot Tub Time Machine (and its 2015 sequel). The This Is the End star (who also had his own short-lived sitcom on NBC called Mr. Robinson) has also appeared in dramas like 2020’s Songbird and the upcoming thriller, Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon. 

Justina Machado (Singing Bust #4)

Sitcoms, dramas, and reality TV competition shows, as well, have defined Justina Machado’s career, which include recurring roles on shows like Six Feet Under and Jane the Virgin, her acclaimed lead role on the Netflix’s One Day at a Time, and her success on Dancing with the Stars as a contestant. She once worked with Steven Spielberg on A.I.: Artificial Intelligence and is a bit of a Scream Queen, appearing in horror movies Final Destination 2 and The Purge: Anarchy. After playing one of Muppets Haunted Mansion’s Singing Busts, Machado will star in Covid-19-themed anthology film With/in: Volume 1, and has landed the title role in Amazon Prime’s The Horror of Delores Roach.

Skai Jackson (Singing Bust #4) 

So far, playing a Singing Bust in Muppets Haunted Mansion is the closest Skai Jackson has come to starring in a horror movie, but her relationship with Disney goes back a long way, starting with her role on Disney Channel’s Jessie as Zuri Ross, whom she reprised on the spin-off, Bunk’d, after playing Dwayne Johnson’s daughter in G.I. Joe: Retaliation. She has lent her voice to a few animated Marvel TV shows, Dragons: Rescue Riders (Netflix’s series spin-off of How to Train Your Dragon), and an upcoming modern twist on J.M. Barrie’s classic novel called Peter Pan, Land of Forever.

Geoff Keighley (Uncle Theodore) 

The leader of the Singing Busts, Uncle Theodore (voiced by Thurl Ravencroft in the original attraction), is played in Muppets Haunted Mansion by Geoff Keighley, in what is technically his acting debut. His claim to fame is being one of the most high-profile journalists to specialize in video game reporting. In fact, one of his only other real acting credits is voicing an asylum patient in the PlayStation 3 release of Twisted Metal from 2012. 

Pat Sajak (Singing Bust #1) 

While Pat Sajak’s role as a Singing Bust in Muppets Haunted Mansion is not his acting debut, it is one of the few times he is not playing himself on screen, which he first did in Airplane II: The Sequel in 1982, before doing it again on TV shows like The A-Team and even Rugrats. Of course, his best-known “performance” is hosting Wheel of Fortune since 1983.

Seeing the likes of Pat Sajak and Geoff Keighley in the Muppets Haunted Mansion cast is quite a surprise, making one wonder what other surprises (and even scares) are also in store. Find out by watching the special on Disney+ on Friday, October 8, 2021.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Carlton Banks is regarded as one of television’s most beloved sitcom characters. That love for the uptight cousin of Will Smith was greatly due to Alfonso Ribeiro’s performance in the classic show. No matter the scene, Ribeiro always managed to steal the show – whether it be through his iconic dance or other silly hijinks. Certain Carlton moments stick out to devoted fans of the show. But there’s one particular scene that sticks out most for Ribeiro. Recently the America’s Funniest Home Video host revealed the moment that changed his perspective on the '90s sitcom.

Playing Carlton Banks allowed Alfonso Ribeiro to let go of all his inhibitions, and that freedom led to a key memorable moment during the show’s six-year run. The Fresh Prince alum opened up about the time he and the director collaborated on an outrageous ending:

The scene in question occurred at the end of the Season 5 episode, "Will's Misery" and still stands as one of the show's best moments. The improvised moment marked the first time Ribeiro let his straight man schtick go for some great physical comedy. The television host told Looper about how the scene changed his mindset about The Fresh Prince:

It's interesting to hear how letting go and allowing an organic moment to happen changed how Alfonso Ribeiro viewed Carlton Banks. For an actor, it must be fun to be silly and outlandish without worrying about how audiences might perceive you. Of course, as Ribeiro pointed out, doing a sitcom like Fresh Prince is all about making not only the audience laugh but the cast and crew as well, and there's certainly no judgement amongst co-stars.

Alfonso Ribeiro has come a long way in embracing the iconic character. For years, he resented Carlton until former Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron helped him over his career slump. He even spilled about his embarrassing Carlton Banks audition for the show. Yet that's definitely change as, even now, the Carlton dance conjures up fond memories for the actor. If you want to see more Ribeiro as the iconic character, you can watch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on HBO Max.

Typecasting is absolutely a thing in Hollywood, and there are also challenges for actors who portray a certain, recognizable character in regard to breaking free of a specific role after it has comes to an end. Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one such character, and Alfonso Ribeiro, the actor who played him through all six of the iconic series’ seasons, apparently had some post-Fresh Prince struggles. The actor had a hard time distancing himself from the Carlton persona he took on on-screen. But Ribeiro credits his time on Dancing With The Stars and the host at that time, Tom Bergeron, for helping him get back on track with his career.

Alfonso Ribeiro, who was essentially a household name in the ‘90s, recently opened up about what he want through following the end of the show's run. In an interview with Atlanta Black Star, Ribeiro talked about the frustrations of playing the character and how the role ultimately impacted his career. Here’s what the actor had to say about those early post-Fresh Prince of Bel-Air years:

While he did struggle for a long time after his stint with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Alfonso Ribeiro seems to be doing just fine now. Back in 2014, he appeared as one of the contestants on Dancing With The Stars and actually won Season 19 - it makes sense for someone with their own famous dance move! In the same interview, he discussed how important that experience was and how host Tom Bergeron played a role in getting things back on track for him:

It would seem that spending all that time on set of Dancing With The Stars made Tom Bergeron see some serious hosting potential in Alfonso Ribeiro, and he would definitely be one to know, seeing as he has hosted most of his career. Ribeiro has been seemingly stuck doing odd jobs after Fresh Prince, either appearing as himself, acting in smaller projects, and even trying his hand in directing some TV spots. It's also cool to hear that Bergeron actually actually recommended him for his current position as host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a role that Bergeron held for almost 15 years.

One has to admit that many within the public will always see Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks, but there are plenty of others who have fallen in love with him for his recent endeavors. And it'll be exciting to see where Ribeiro could go next.

When Will Smith revealed his “dad bod”, the internet went into overdrive. For more than three decades, Smith has been the "ideal action hero," with his toned body and muscles, but the actor received nothing but support when he showed off his body and initiated a challenge. Of course, not everyone responded to the challenge immediately and, now, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Alfonso Ribeiro has finally shared thoughts on his former co-star's dad bod challenge.

Films such as Independence Day and Bad Boys turned the nice-guy rapper into a bonafide sex symbol. And maintaining that status was built on a lot of arduous work and gym time. Alfonso Ribeiro was able to witness this up close so, of course, he would have his thoughts on Will Smith’s challenge. The Fresh Prince alum said about the action star’s fitness challenge:

As The Fresh Prince alum told Extra, it was just refreshing to see someone of Will Smith’s caliber just succumb to the quarantine hibernation. Since his days as a world-famous rapper, Smith had always been in top shape, as doing films such as Ali and I, Robot meant he had to maintain that body. But being in quarantine allowed him to finally let go and indulge for once. So as Alfonso Ribeiro pointed out, the actor allowed himself to enjoy being human.

After debuting his quarantine “dad bod”, Will Smith set his “dad bod” challenge into motion. Since then, the box office star has been documenting his progress to getting back in shape. His challenge has even inspired other stars such as Marlon Wayans and black-ish star Anthony Anderson to strive for better health in 2021. As seen from other examples, let’s hope the challenge inspires others to be healthy while accepting themselves.

But Will Smith’s less-than-ideal physique wasn’t a surprise to his Fresh Prince co-star. During the same interview, Alfonso Ribeiro revealed he witnessed firsthand the change in Will Smith’s diet during the Fresh Prince reunion last year. He recalled going into the Hollywood star’s dressing room and seeing various unhealthy foods laid out. Ribeiro said his dressing room was the complete opposite and even hinted at the roles being reversed during their years on the classic NBC sitcom. That role reversal showed the former co-stars’ bond has never waned.

The bond between Smith and Ribeiro hasn’t dissipated since starring together in The Fresh Prince. Despite not participating in the challenge, it’s nice to see Alfonso Ribeiro support Will Smith getting back in top physical form. To see more Will and Carlton in action, you can stream the classic sitcom on HBO Max.

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Spoilers for various episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air lie ahead.

There are a number of reasons to love The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, from its signature running gags to its tackling of real-life issues. But of course, what truly makes the show iconic is its memorable cast of characters, including the charming and scheming Will Smith and the always sarcastic Geoffrey Butler. The one character who has truly “danced” his way into pop culture and fans’ hearts, though, is resident preppy Carlton Banks, who was played perfectly by Alfonso Ribeiro. The beloved actor made a serious splash and, as a result, there are still plenty of Carlton fans. And if you’re a part of this group, there are a number of Carlton-centric episodes you need to watch.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast wouldn’t have been what it was without the addition of Alfonso Ribeiro. It’s honestly hard to believe the actor was actually disappointed by his original audition, though most would agree that things worked out. To some, Carlton may just be a straight-laced and condescending overachiever, but he’s much more than that. Thanks to Ribeiro and the writers, the young man managed to grow over the course of six seasons, and he had some big moments in the process. So let’s revisit some of them as we list off the Fresh Prince’s best Carlton-centric episodes:

Mistaken Identity (Season 1, Episode 6)

This is easily one of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s most iconic episodes and is essentially the series’ first “very special episode.” With Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv in Palm Springs with Mr. Furth (Phil’s legal partner) and his wife, Will and Carlton drive Furth’s Mercedes down there for him. However, the two are unfortunately pulled over and arrested for allegedly being car thieves. While in jail, the two are then forced to pull a media stunt to get the attention of Philip, Vivian and Mr. Furth. The episode is filled with funny moments, but it also deepens the relationship between Will and Carlton. Additionally, it teaches the sheltered Carlton a hard lesson about racial-profiling, and he further reevaluates his views on the topic after learning of his father’s own experience with it. The episode is filled with sobering truths, and it definitely serves as a turning point for Carlton’s characterization.

Watch “Mistaken Identity” on HBO Max.

Courting Disaster (Season 1, Episode Episode 11)

Jealousy is the key theme here, as it’s exactly what Carlton feels when Will becomes the star player of Bel-Air prep’s lagging basketball team. It’s the first time in the series’ run where the arrogant Carlton truly feels overshadowed by Will. Most probably remember the sad and hilarious sight of Carlton and his teammates practicing, before Will (accompanied by Jazz) leaves coach Smiley in awe. Of course, the funniest moment comes during the game when Carlton steals the ball from Will and takes the game’s final shot, only to miss horribly. He ultimately learns that there are some things that Will can do better than he can, while Will recognizes that he’s had a swollen head since becoming the star. It’s a very “‘90s sitcom” kind of resolution, but it still holds up quite well.

Watch “Courting Disaster” on HBO Max.

72 Hours (Season 1, Episode 23)

“72 Hours” is another episode that perfectly develops the relationship between Carlton and Will, which was a bit contentious during the early part of the show. Carlton, tired of being criticized by Will and Jazz, agrees to spend a weekend in Compton. And to the surprise of his cousin, Carlton (or should I say C-Note) manages to fit right in with Will’s friends. As a matter of fact, he’s so comfortable that a nervous Will, who lied to Phil and Vivian about the trip, comes clean in an attempt to stop Carlton from visiting MacArthur Park at night. Alfonso Ribeiro nails this episode, especially the Compton scenes and Will’s wild fantasy. And by the end, Carlton manages to look past the teasing and takes pride in who he is. And of course, he also takes pleasure in the fact that Will does care about him.

Watch “72 Hours” on HBO Max.

Striptease For Two (Season 2, Episode 24)

This is another one of Fresh Prince’s signature installments, and it’s one of the best examples of how Will and Carlton’s schemes can place them in some wildly hilarious situations. In this episode, Carlton convinces Will to invest on an insider trading tip, and the two pawn Aunt Viv’s bracelet to get the necessary cash for their stock. But when the company files for bankruptcy, the two look for ways to earn back the money, ultimately landing on a stripper gig. And of course, the episode’s climax sees Carlton take to the stage to strip -- only to discover Hilary and Vivian are at the club along with a socialite group Phil wants Hilary to join. There are plenty A+ gags here, but Ribeiro’s dance is the centerpiece. Needless to say, this is a must-see for Carlton Banks lovers.

Watch “Striptease for Two” on HBO Max.

Mama’s Baby, Carlton’s Maybe (Season 3, Episode 5)

Although Carlton had been in trouble before, this episode put him in a situation that not even Will had been in. Carlton is overjoyed to see his ex-girlfriend Cindy (played by Saved by the Bell alum Lark Voorhies), but he and the family are shocked when she claims he’s the father of her infant son. Despite his parents’ objections, Carlton wants to solidify his new “family” and ultimately sneaks off to marry Cindy. But when Will finds him, he discovers that Carlton never slept with Cindy and that he’s not the father. “Mama’s Baby, Carlton’s Maybe” is both funny and refreshing because it places Carlton in a story many might’ve expected of Will. It also gives us the first hint of Carlton’s embarrassment over his virginity, a topic that will take center stage in a later episode on this list.

Watch “Mama’s Baby, Carlton’s Maybe on HBO Max.

The Alma Mater (Season 3, Episode 18)

You really can’t get anymore Carlton-centric than this installment. When a rep from Princeton arrives at Bel-Air prep, Carlton can’t wait to interview but is shaken when the school accepts Will. In an attempt to get in, Carlton emulates his cousin, yet he only earns a rejection and a suspension for making a desperate death threat towards the rep. Carlton, depressed and in a funk, is visited by his idol and guardian angel, singer Tom Jones, who shows him what his family’s life would be like if he were never born. It’s a funny moment that, of course, ends with Carlton and Jones dancing and performing “It’s Not Unusual.” While the It’s A Wonderful Life approach has been done on TV shows countless times, the Carlton-esque spin makes it fun. And from a narrative standpoint, Carlton’s Princeton rejection ultimately sets him up to attend ULA with Will in the latter half of the series. All in all, this episode is a pure classic.

Watch “The Alma Mater” on HBO Max.

It's Better to Have Loved and Lost It… (Season 4, Episode 5)

After chasing women for years, Carlton finally loses his virginity to Jo Ann, a beautiful woman he meets on the ULA campus and, with this, he hopes to begin a relationship with her. This also happens as he prepares to re-apply to Princeton. However, worlds tragically collide when he learns that Jo Ann is married -- to a dean that could give Carlton a major recommendation for Princeton. The young man is saddened to learn that Jo Ann used him for a one-night stand and is ultimately comforted by Will. It’s a bittersweet episode, but one that shows a more vulnerable side of the typically confident Carlton.

Watch “It's Better to Have Loved and Lost It…” on HBO Max.

Blood Is Thicker Than Mud (Season 4, Episode 8)

If you’re a Fresh Prince fan, then chances are you’ve seen this episode at least once, and it’s probably one of your favorites. Will and Carlton try to join an African-American fraternity at school, but Carlton is later hazed as a result of the fraternity president’s prejudice towards his Bel-Air upbringing. Things come to a head when Carlton learns he’s been denied by the frat and gives a poignant (and viral) speech about what brotherhood really means. The story as a whole deftly tackles the bias that some African Americans face from those of their own race and, ultimately, it serves as one of Carlton’s finest moments in the entire series.

Watch “Blood Is Thicker Than Mud on HBO Max.

Soul Train (Season 5, Episode 8)

“Soul Train” admittedly focuses mainly on the relationship between Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv, but Carlton still plays a great role in it. As Philip and Vivian clash about the latter’s feelings on their Soul Train 25th anniversary reunion, Carlton and Will compete to impress host Don Cornelius with their skills. Will makes a great impression, but it’s ultimately Carlton who steals the spotlight. Even though the story doesn’t do much for Carlton in terms of character development, it’s just a fun time and, as always, it’s great to see Alfonso Ribeiro show off his A+ dance skills.

Watch “Soul Train” on HBO Max.

Bullets Over Bel-Air (Season 5, Episode 15)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as you can see from this list alone, never shied away from tackling more grounded stories, and this one certainly falls under that category. The plot sees Will and Carlton get held up by a mugger, who ends up shooting Will. Carlton is left shaken by the ordeal, feeling that the justice system he’s always depended on has let him down. With this, he buys a revolver for protection but, when Will discovers the gun after Carlton visits him in the hospital, he demands his cousin hand it over since he owes him for saving his life. The final exchange between Carlton and Will is one of the show’s most powerful scenes and, because it deals with the law, it feels a bit like a spiritual successor to “Mistaken Identity.”

Watch “Bullets Over Bel-Air on HBO Max.

Bourgie Sings The Blues (Season 6, Episode 4)

Oddly enough, “Bourgie Sings the Blues” also serves as a spiritual sequel to “The Alma Mater.” After several years, Carlton finally gets another shot at interviewing for Princeton, but his nerves get the better of him after he comes to believe he can’t live up to his father’s legacy. As a result, he opts to forsake college and live at a bar alongside blues singer Pappy (played by the great B.B. King). Will then takes it upon himself to pose as Carton during the interview until Carlton comes to his senses and returns home. All in all, it’s a funny episode that sees Carlton take on one of the biggest moments in his life.

Watch “Bourgie Sings the Blues” on HBO Max.

Viva Lost Wages (Season 6, Episode 8)

Viewers knew that Carlton could become obsessive long before seeing this episode, but it’s on full display here. For Carlton’s 21st birthday, Uncle Phil sends him and Will to Las Vegas. Things start off smoothly, but Carlton’s gambling addiction (first seen in Season 3’s “You Bet Your Life”) gets the better of him. After depleting their funds, the two find that the only way to scrape up some cash is to enter a dance contest. And Fresh Prince fans likely know that this leads to the fan-favorite “jump on it” scene, where the two dance to The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache.” So with a manic Carlton and a perfect dance sequence, what more could fans want from this episode?

Watch “Viva Lost Wages” on HBO Max.

There’s a lot to love about Alfonso Ribeiro’s Carlton Banks and, while there are plenty of Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes that give him time to shine, die-hard fans will definitely want to make these a priority viewing. Check out the rest of the show by streaming it on HBO Max, and be sure to check out our 2021 Summer TV schedule for the latest shows premiering or returning over the next few months.

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There are a number of reasons The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most iconic television shows of all time. The classic NBC series featured plenty of lovable characters and some downright hilarious running gags. One of these was the fan-favorite Carlton dance, which was skillfully performed by Alfonso Ribeiro. The beloved actor performed the dance countless times during the show’s six-season run, but Ribeiro has now shed light on the first time he ever performed it on set.

Many have tried to perform and replicate the Carlton dance, even Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith. But to this day, Alfonso Ribeiro can perform it like no one else, and it’s become synonymous with him and his character. During a recent interview, Ribeiro explained that he added elements to the dance during the show’s run but that the main dance was established from the beginning:

Alfonso Ribeiro has previously cited a few sources of inspiration for Carlton Bank’s signature dance. The two he’s most consistently mentioned are Eddie Murphy’s “White Man Dance” from his routine in 1987’s Raw and Courteney Cox’s routine in Bruce Sprigsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” music video. This may sound like a weird combination but, as Ribeiro further explained on NPR’s Ask Me Another Question, it definitely worked:

TV (and pop culture) history was certainly made that day. Not only was the dance hilarious, but it also solidified the fact that Alfonso Ribeiro was perfect for the role of Carlton Banks. And to think, the actor was actually disappointed with his original audition for the show.

We’ll always be grateful to Alfonso Ribeiro for his work on the show, and it’s likely fans will continue to emulate the Carlton dance for years to come. You can see more of Ribeiro’s work on the show by streaming The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.

When it comes to dance moves on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, nothing tops the Carlton dance. It’s still imitated to this day, thanks to Carlton himself Alfonso Ribeiro. It was so popular that even the show’s star Will Smith once wanted a piece of the action, but Ribeiro wouldn’t let him in on the secret sauce. Now, the Fresh Prince alum has spoken on the time he refused to help Smith with the iconic dance.

Carlton Banks and his dance helped solidified The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s place in pop culture. So having Alfonso Ribeiro and Will Smith do the dance together in the series finale was a massive moment. But Smith didn't nail it as well as his co-star did, and Ribeiro wasn't too keen on helping him. When chatting with Yahoo! Entertainment about his refusal to teach Smith his signature dance, the actor said:

Alfonso Ribeiro may seem hilariously petty for not helping out, but you can't really argue with his logic. Ribeiro wanted the Carlton dance to be his considering Will Smith was the star of The Fresh Prince. Had Smith landed the dance perfectly, it might have slightly taken away from something that was always linked to Carlton. But it wouldn’t have hurt for Ribeiro to maybe teach his co-star a watered-down version -- you know, to balance things out.

As mentioned in the Yahoo! article, Will Smith revealed in last year’s Fresh Prince Reunion that he could never master the Carlton dance, so way that the moment between Will and Carlton in the series finale played out makes even more sense. Alfonso Ribeiro went full throttle, while Smith stopped after the initial steps.

But looking back on the NBC sitcom, Alfonso Ribeiro didn’t have anything to worry about. While Will Smith was the star, it was Carlton who got the big laughs. Whether it was the dance his mannerisms or preppy ways, Ribeiro always managed to steal any scene he was in, despite starting out with a rough audition. Being on other classic sitcoms such as Silver Spoons and A Different World seemed to hone his comedic timing and sensibility. To be honest, fans came for the Fresh Prince but stayed for Carlton Banks and his antics.

But there’s no love lost between the former co-stars. 25 years after The Fresh Prince ended, Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro have remained tight. I mean only a few years ago the two reprised their iconic Apache (Jump on It) dance from the “Viva Lost Wages” episode. So even though Ribeiro never taught Smith the Carlton, it didn’t stop them from sharing other special moments.

As far as '90s pop culture goes, the Carlton dance will always hold a special place in viewers’ hearts, and we should be grateful that Alfonso Ribeiro really embraced the iconic character. But if you want to see the actor go all in, you can stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on HBO Max.

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When it comes to TV shows, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sits among some of the most popular series to ever grace the small screen. The Will Smith-led comedy painted a humorous, yet grounded, portrait of an affluent Black family dealing with the ups and downs of everyday life. Those “downs” in particular were covered in a number of the show’s more serious installments or as many sitcoms used to call them, “very special episodes.” Those particular stories were standouts for Fresh Prince, and series alum Alfonso Ribeiro recently opened up about the episodes and where the ideas for the stories came from.

Alfonso Ribeiro, known affectionately for his role as Carlton Banks, is well aware of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s far-reaching legacy and understands just how important those “very special episodes'' were. During a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he explained that the premise allowed the show to tackle a variety of issues in a multifaceted way. Ribeiro made this point, by recalling one of the show’s most famous episodes, which sees Will and Carlton get pulled over by police:

Will and Carlton’s varied views on life sometimes served as a source of strife, especially early in the show’s run but, as Alfonso Ribeiro and Kelly Clarkson both mentioned, they led to some interesting conversations. That episode, “Mistaken Identity,” tackled racism, and the actor is pleased that the show managed to approach crucial topics like this:

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air did a masterful job of balancing the comedy with the seriousness of the issues of the day. Not only did these episodes add new layers to the characters, but they also left viewers with a few things to ponder. Those episodes and more are available to stream on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.

The “very special episodes” of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air only added to the rich legacy of the show and, to me, the show is only better for having them. And while it’s still only in development, it looks like the upcoming “reimagining” will follow in the footsteps of the original by not shying away from important topics.

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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the most beloved sitcoms in television history, so many were likely surprised when it was revealed that a new, dramatic iteration of the show had entered development. While the new show will definitely bear similarities to the original show, it’s apparent that it’s going to be quite different in a number of ways. Fresh Prince alum Alfonso Ribeiro recently shared some thoughts on the matter, even explaining why he prefers to refer to it as more of a “reimagining” than a reboot.

With so many different film and TV properties having returned over the past several years, words like “reboot” and “remake” have become commonplace. Alfonso Ribeiro is conscious of that fact and, while discussing Peacock’s Bel-Air, he sought to make the distinction between “reboot” and “reimagining” clear:

Alfonso Ribeiro makes a fair point. A reboot would imply a property’s original characters and all of its original collaborators would be returning to continue the stories told in that universe. Peacock’s Saved by the Bell would be a prime example of this. However, Bel-Air will only take the motif and premise that was established by Will Smith’s ‘90s sitcom. During the same interview with E!, Ribeiro continued to share his thoughts on the upcoming series:

In the midst of emphasising the differences between the two shows, Alfonso Ribeiro also expressed his interest in seeing how the show pans out. This lines up with the thoughts of his former co-star, Tatyana Ali, who was excited by the concept of the show. Likewise, Daphne Maxwell Reid also told us that she’s interested in the idea of a dramatic version of their classic show. You can stream that show on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.

Bel-Air was inspired by a viral trailer made by filmmaker Morgan Cooper, who sought to present the show as a drama as opposed to a comedy. The footage caught the attention of Will Smith, who helped will (sorry) the project into existence, as Peacock has picked up the show for two full seasons. Morgan Cooper is serving as director, co-writer and executive producer, while Smith also serves as an executive producer.

One can only imagine what Morgan Cooper and his collaborators will do with Bel-Air. But it can certainly be said that he, at the very least, has the public’s attention, including that of former Fresh Prince of Bel-Air stars like Alfonso Ribeiro.

Last fall, HBO Max released a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special in honor of the series’ 30th anniversary. Joining the special was Janet Hubert, who played Will Smith’s Aunt Viv for the first three seasons before being replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. Smith and Hubert sat down together for the special for the first time in 27 years to discuss why she had left the show, and Alfonso Ribeiro has spoken out about the emotional moment.

Alfonso Ribeiro, who memorably portrayed Carlton Banks for all six seasons, spoke to HollywoodLife about the 30th anniversary reunion special and how thrilled he was that the two made peace after it was rumored Janet Hubert had clashed with Will Smith behind the scenes of the popular 90’s sitcom:

There were speculations that Janet Hubert was difficult to work with and Will Smith had her fired, thus starting the feud. The two hashed out the events that surrounded her departure during the special and it was revealed that Hubert turned down an offer to return for 10 weeks of filming Season 4, which would have included a salary cut and a clause preventing her from taking other jobs outside of Fresh Prince.

In January, Tatyana Ali, who played Ashley Banks throughout all six seasons, recalled a sweet moment during the reunion with Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid that wasn’t even shown. It’s great to know that after everything that has happened, Hubert and the rest of the cast, especially Will Smith, have buried the hatchet and have pretty much been given a fresh start.

Last year, Janet Hubert spoke out about the real reason why she ended up leaving the series, saying that she was pregnant at the time and her home life was not good. None of the cast knew what was going on and she was offered a bad deal for Season 3. She didn’t accept the offer and she was told they were going to replace her. Daphne Maxwell Reid stuck around for the back half of the series, but it’s always a wonder how the series would have ended up if Hubert was around for those last seasons.

It’s refreshing to know that the cast has cleared the air with each other and Janet Hubert, and that the reunion made everyone emotional and happy. It was a long time coming but it was worth it. Maybe Janet Hubert and Will Smith will work together again in the future!

As far as pop culture is concerned, Alfonso Ribeiro and Carlton Banks are synonymous with each other, so likely many enjoyed seeing the actor reminisce about his beloved character with Will Smith and their former castmates on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion. But there was one moment from the reunion that may have really stood out for fans -- when Ribeiro entered the stage from the staircase, unlike his co-stars. Now, the actor has revealed the special meaning behind this entrance.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air series finale was a huge moment for '90s television, to say the least. It was filled with many big moments, including the Banks family going their separate ways. And as usual, Alfonso Ribeiro’s Carlton stole the show in its closing moments. Extra interviewed the actor about the Fresh Prince reunion, and he began by talking about the significance of the way he entered the re-created set:

Considering how special that moment was in the Fresh Prince finale, it was nice of both Alfonso Ribeiro and the reunion’s producers to recreate it. It both acknowledged the original series and created a fresh moment for newer fans. The special entrance was just one of the reunion's many special moments, such as the first ever meeting between the two Aunt Viv actresses.

Carlton Banks was one of the most popular and iconic characters in the '90s, thanks to Alfonso Ribeiro’s comedic timing and acting skills. And even today, the Carlton dance is still widely referenced in pop culture. Believe it or not, the actor is still surprised he even got the role after what he felt was a disastrous audition involving a tracksuit and bad acting. But had things not worked out with Fresh Prince, the actor had another gig lined up, as he could’ve been a full cast member on another NBC sitcom – A Different World. So looking back, the actor had two incredible options but chose the right one for him and his career.

Playing Carlton wasn't always easy, though, as the actor and host has admitted to holding some resentment towards his role as Carlton for a time. But it's clear to see he now still holds plenty of affection for his preppy character.

The recreation of that special finale moment for the reunion speaks to how invested and thoughtful Alfonso Ribeiro and the producers were. The reunion was filled with little details only hardcore fans would catch, and they likely appreciated the nod to Carlton's final comedic scene. If you want to check out Ribeiro’s special entrance and more from Will Smith and the cast and crew, you can stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion on HBO Max.

In the history of television, there are certain characters that manage to transcend their small-screen roots and become true mainstays within the pop culture zeitgeist. Sitcoms have produced quite a few iconic characters, and one of them is most definitely The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Carlton Banks. The nerdy and lovable preppy is an excellent character, which is greatly due to the performance of Alfonso Ribeiro. But as perfect as the actor was for the role, Ribeiro is still embarrassed by his original audition for the role.

One of the best parts of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion is that it allowed Alfonso Ribeiro, Will Smith and their co-stars to relive some of the earliest moments from the popular show. This included viewing Ribeiro and Karyn Parsons’ original auditions. As you would expect, the actors found it a bit cringy to watch their vintage auditions, but Ribeiro has expanded on why he’s a bit embarrassed by his:

As Alfonso Ribeiro explained to Extra, he’s still not over the fact that his attire was so out of tune with the character of Carlton, and he does have a point. Let’s be honest, Carlton is less of a tracksuit and sneakers kind of guy and more of a polo shirt and loafers sort of gentlemen. But clothes aside, the producers were still able to see the potential in the young Ribeiro’s delivery.

Alfonso Ribeiro starred on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for all six seasons of its run. While the role brought him widespread recognition, it also caused him to become almost exclusively connected to the role. This led to him being typecast after the show’s run, which caused him to hold a bit of resentment towards the iconic character for a while.

Despite going through that period, Ribeiro still holds great affection for his fan-favorite character and his iconic dance. The actor has since moved on to other productions like America’s Funniest Home Videos, but he still catches up with his Fresh Prince family often. He spoke highly of the reunion special and seems to have relished the opportunity to reflect on the series with his co-stars.

It’s honestly hard to believe Alfonso Ribeiro wasn’t satisfied with his Fresh Prince audition, especially when you consider just how well he embodied the role in the years that followed. But if anything, fans should just be grateful the powers that be saw fit to give him the job, despite his choice of attire.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and its reunion special are currently available to stream on HBO Max.

When you think of memorable ‘90s sitcom characters, there are probably plenty that come to mind. This could include charming schemer Zack Morris, clumsy but well-meaning nerd Steve Urkel and sassy maid Fran Fine. Another character who also stands as a symbol of pop culture is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Carlton Banks, who was perfectly played by Alfonso Ribeiro. The actor would star on the Will Smith-led sitcom for six successful seasons, and he would become incredibly recognizable to TV watchers. However, despite mostly enjoying his time on the show, the actor has revealed that there was a time when he resented his famous role.

It didn’t take long for Alfonso Ribeiro’s Carlton Banks to become a hit with viewers, as the character’s preppy but lovable personality was fun to watch. But because the character was so specific, Ribeiro admits that landing other roles was difficult:

Type casting is something that happens frequently in Hollywood, and it was definitely the case for Alfonso Ribeiro during and after his tenure on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Even after the show, he went on to play a similar character on UPN’s In the House.

Aside from the scarcity of acting roles, Ribeiro explained to The Ringer that he also ran into another problem with Carlton. Given the character’s rich upbringing and occasionally snobby nature, he was sometimes referred to as a sellout, something that was explored on the show. Carlton proved to have depth as a character, yet many began to think that Ribeiro had the same personality:

Alfonso Ribeiro had quite a few hurdles to jump after starring on Fresh Prince but, thankfully, his career has more than turned around in recent years. Not only did he find success as a director, but he’s also become a major TV personality as the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos.

It’s a shame Alfonso Ribeiro had to go through so much, but it’s good to know he’s turned a corner in his career. And it’s also nice that he still maintains affection for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and his character, Carlton dance and all.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is available to stream on HBO Max.

Since the 2010s, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Alfonso Ribeiro has seen a career renaissance, from winning Dancing with the Stars to hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos (assuming the mantle from former DWTS host Tom Bergeron). But for many kids of the 1990s, the veteran actor will always be Will Smith’s uptight, corny cousin, Carlton Banks. While the series is burned into pop culture, Ribeiro was almost a lead in another hit sitcom.

The role of Carlton was a gamble for the then-18-year-old Alfonso Ribeiro after spending three seasons on the family sitcom Silver Spoons. At the time, he was doing guest spots on other shows along with appearing in television movies. But there was one guest spot that could’ve turned into more. Ribeiro recently revealed an interesting fact to The Ringer about turning down another NBC sitcom for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and explained why he did so:

Before landing the role of Carlton on The Fresh Prince, Alfonso Ribeiro had done a guest spot in a Season 3 episode of A Different World. His character, Zach Duncan, was expected to join as a series regular in the fourth season, but the actor was forced to choose between the two influential NBC sitcoms. It would seem Ribeiro believed that choosing the Will Smith-led show (an unproven series) would still leave him with a viable option in A Different World, should the former sitcom not work out. Obviously, he chose the bigger of the two, as The Fresh Prince has continued to run in syndication and streaming since ending its original run.

But Alfonso Ribeiro’s career doesn’t begin or end with either of those shows. His career spans 40 years, during which he's earned praise for his dancing as the lead role in the Tony Award-winning musical, The Tap Dance Kid. That role led to dancing with Michael Jackson in a Pepsi commercial and later playing Rick Schroder’s best friend, Alfonso Spears, on Silver Spoons (another notable NBC sitcom).

Even then, NBC recognized how talented Ribeiro was and was determined not to let him go. After The Fresh Prince, the actor was a series regular on the NBC/UPN sitcom In the House, starring alongside NCIS: LA star LL Cool J. Throughout the years, the actor has done voiceover work as well.

In recent years, Alfonso Ribeiro has not only hosted AFV but gone behind the scenes to direct some of today’s up-and-coming stars on television series such as Young & Hungry, Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover. All in all, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air may have pushed his career forward, but his talent was able to keep him working in a fickle town like Hollywood. And as evidenced by the recent Fresh Prince reunion, he still cherishes his beloved character.

Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion, not to be confused with the Fresh Prince reboot that’s also happening, has finally landed a trailer. And it’s one that is introduced by the former Fresh Prince himself. Will Smith shares some footage from the upcoming HBO Max special in a video that features fun throwback footage, set stories and a whole lot of love.

In the first look footage at the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion, we see how some of the cast has changed physically in the years since the ‘90s sitcom was originally on the air. On set buds Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro are certainly older -- though they still dress sharply -- and there is a little bit of sadness over the loss of the show’s patriarch, as James Avery passed in 2013. Take a look at the trailer for the reunion special below.

There's been a lot of interest in '90s programming and in particular the Fresh Prince brand recently. The series is getting a reboot, after all, but the main cast, including the likes of Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro and Tatyana Ali are all still well-remembered and well-liked. So, they decided to reunite earlier in 2020 for the fans. They aren't the only cast of a major movie or TV franchise that spent 2020 reconnecting with the fans. There's been a dearth of content overall, but actually filming a reunion special professionally takes things to a whole 'nother level compared to the Zoom call reunions we've gotten used to this year.

The trailer does a good job of giving us the gist of what to expect from the HBO Max reunion ahead of the reboot that's coming down the pipeline on Peacock (and has already been renewed for a second season). My favorite moment probably has to be when Alfonso Ribeiro peeks his head around the stairwell wall in a way similar to what Carlton and Will got up to back in the day.

Will Smith has seemingly been pumped about this whole reunion for a while. He's been big about hyping the cast spending time together on social media, as he even notes at the start of the trailer, and earlier this year he also toured the home when it was turned into an Air BNB and the cast had a mini reunion then that was shared. There's a lot of anticipation for this event and hopefully it will live up to the hype.

HBO Max has been pretty good about generating new and interesting content for its users so far, and the throwback special seems to be no exception. Along with the trailer, HBO Max has announced The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion special will begin streaming on November 19.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and the festivities will only continue when the reunion special hits HBO Max. With so much history baked into the show, there’s a lot for the cast to discuss. Alfonso Ribeiro has spoken a bit about the special, but he’s now opening up about one of its best moments. He also happened to weigh in on the chances of a reboot featuring the original cast.

Alfonso Ribeiro recently spoke about the fact that the special will set aside to honor the late James Avery, who viewers came to know affectionately as “Uncle Phil.” Ribeiro called his TV dad the backbone of the show and said that his absence makes the chances of a continuation series relatively slim:

Ribeiro’s sentiments to Yahoo! are sure to be shared by a number of fans, as James Avery’s performance as Philip Banks was integral to the show. While the character did engage in his own share of shenanigans, his intelligence and love for his family helped to ground the sitcom. The cast surely miss him, but Ribeiro previously explained that when they discussed him during the special, positivity overcame any sadness the group may have felt.

All in all, Alfonso Ribeiro seems to have enjoyed catching up with his co-stars. Though when speaking about it, he mentioned that the special was pretty chill since the cast gets together quite often. This is definitely true, as the group loves to connect and show love to each other whenever they can. Still, he’s happy that the world will pretty much get to see what they do all of the time.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion is bringing together Ribeiro, Will Smith, Tatyana M. Ali, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Most notably, one segment of the show will also feature the long-awaited reunion between Smith and original Aunt Viv actress Janet Hubert. Although Ribeiro confirmed that he and his co-stars did not take part in that segment of the show, he is happy to see that Smith and Hubert were able to get together to hash things out.

There’s certainly a lot to look forward to when it comes to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion. One can only imagine the great behind-the-scenes stories we’re going to hear. I would personally be interested to learn what the cast’s personal favorite episodes are. Let’s hope this question and more are revealed when the special finally arrives.

And before the reunion drops on HBO Max, you can stream all six seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air now.

America’s Funniest Home Videos, or AFV, has for years given families a fun escape just before primetime programming in which to watch kids having silly accidents and dogs doing goofy things. While most known for hosts Bob Saget, Tom Bergeron and more recently Alfonso Ribeiro, new allegations indicate the company behind the series may have had a darker underbelly. In fact, some former employees are claiming the workplace was “predatory” and racist.

In a series of complaints, former America’s Funniest Home Videos employees have spoken on the record about their employment issues on the series in recent years. The complaints stem from the most recent iteration of the series, though it’s worth pointing out Alfonso Ribeiro and other on camera talent is not mentioned related to any of the complaints.

The three women, Columbia Crandell, Tunisha Singleton and Jessica Morse, are fighting a lawsuit about their reported experiences and spoke to THR on the record about what they believe happened during the time they worked on America’s Funniest Home Videos. The three women have separate complaints about their experiences while on the show.

The first, Tunisha Singleton, said she had experienced casual racism in the workplace for getting teased for not having seen Black Panther, but it was at a workplace comedy event with 50 people that things escalated. She says a supervisor at the company joked about her “doing blow in the bathroom" and allegedly dropped the term "crack whore" in relation to Singleton. It was Singleton who says she was soon after laid off, and she attribute that layoff to being mortified about the racist jokes.

For her part of the lawsuit, Columbia Crandell said she was asked to test out an Oculus VR set when a coworker attempted to put a camera up her skirt. An in-house investigation was undergone, but Crandell says she took things a step further and filed a report with the LAPD.

The third woman, Jessica Morse, had been present at the aforementioned comedy event and says she voiced concerns about being uncomfortable afterwards. She and Crandell both eventually put in their notices and were expecting unemployment, but the company behind AFV fought the claim.

Last year, the three women filed a lawsuit seeking damages including, ‘wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation and emotional distress.”

According to Vin Di Bona Prods.’ Official commentary on the matter, the issue was looked into and resolved, though THR’s new report could bring it back into the limelight for the company.

Hollywood has changed a lot of standards and practices recently in response to the #MeToo movement, but also simply to make productions more diverse and welcoming. Inclusion riders, intimacy coordinators on set, diversity training and more have becomes more common, though they were not as common back in 2017 when the alleged incidents first began. We’ll keep you posted if any additional allegations come to light. In the meantime, America’s Funniest Videos did film host some episodes during quarantine this year and is still producing new episodes.

Fans of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air have had more than a few reasons to celebrate this year. 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the show’s original debut on NBC, and the show’s stars have been celebrating in some fun ways. Not only did they recently tour the beautiful mansion that was featured on the show, but they also shot a reunion special that’s set to air on HBO Max. Now, Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks during the show’s six-season run, has opened up about what it was like to film the retrospective with his castmates.

Alfonso Ribeiro had nothing but warm feelings when looking back on the special and thinks it’s going to be “great” for the fans. But as fun as it was, he sees it as being no different from the many other times he and his Fresh Prince of Bel-Air “family” have gotten together:

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast has been known to catch up quite often, though it’s never happened in a filmed setting. Still, one can understand why doing the reunion special wouldn’t be different in Ribeiro’s eyes.

During his recent chat with TV Insider, Ribeiro also spoke on the long-awaited reunion between Will Smith and original Aunt Viv actress Janet Hubert. Ribeiro confirmed that he and his co-stars did not take part in that segment of the special, but he was still glad to see that the two had a chance to talk things out:

Hubert was fired from the show following the third season and was replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid. In the years since the show ended, many have pointed to her difficulties working with Smith as the reason for her dismissal. However, it would now seem that the two have eased the tensions between them.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special is shaping up to be something truly special, and I think I speak for most fans when I say it will be nice to see Alfonso Ribeiro and his co-stars together again.

And ahead of its premiere, you can revisit classic episodes of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air by streaming them on HBO Max.

Even if you happen to not be the biggest celebrator of yearly occasions, I think most of us still enjoy receiving a good birthday wish or two to commemorate the day we first set foot onto this big, (mostly) blue, floating ball. It's always nice when our friends and other assorted loved ones send a card / email / text or give us a call, but it can be especially cool when they share the warm wishes with the world. Well, Will Smith just showed some love in honor of his good friend / fellow The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro's birthday, and the result will give you all the feels.

It's always a wonderful thing when friendships last for as long as the one that Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro have had. Not everyone can say that they've had a good buddy for most of their adult life, so it's cool to see that, even in the often difficult world of Hollywood, two people can meet, hit it off and manage to stay friends as their careers take them in very different directions. Smith just took to Instagram to show some birthday love to Ribeiro, and the message was perfectly sweet. Take a look:

Awww! Will Smith calls Alfonso Ribeiro "Alf"! I love it so, so much, you guys! Now, it's no secret that these two have been able to maintain their friendship across several decades at this point, and it all began with their hit NBC sitcom in 1990. Honestly, another one of the things I really love about this post is the photo, which appears to have been taken during the 30th anniversary celebrations on the set for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. And, just look at them. Who knows what they were laughing about, but I'd almost be willing to put money on it being some long-held inside joke that no one but those two would understand.

As Will Smith noted in his caption, you can't get through this many years of friendship with someone and not see them at their best and their worst; experiencing all of their good times and bad times right along with them, and with them doing the same for you. The fact that Smith also calls Ribeiro "my guy" is just so sweet and such a personal touch, no wonder those two are leaning into each other like that as they have a chuckle. They're a picture perfect example of brotherly love, as far as I'm concerned. 

And, in case you're wondering, Alfonso Ribeiro did return the favor in his response to the post:

See? Ribeiro's response might be short and to the point, but it's hard not to see the brother-from-another-mother affection in his words. I think most of us could do worse than an actual romance that's filled with as much fun, love and respect as this friendship has.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is slated to have that anniversary special up on HBO Max around Thanksgiving (Yes, with both Aunt Viv's!), so be sure to tune in, because maybe we'll even get to see what Will Smith and Alfonso Ribeiro had the giggles about. There's also a pretty cool dramatic reboot of the sitcom on the way, and you can count on CinemaBlend for additional details on that as they become available. For more to watch on the small screen in the coming weeks, check out our guide to fall TV!

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is coming back to television... kind of. Prepare for some chillin' out, maxin', and relaxin' all cool with Will Smith and several members of the original cast, who are reuniting for a special that will release on HBO Max, which is proving to be the home of beloved sitcom reunions.

The HBO Max special will be unscripted and timed to honor The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's 30th anniversary. The cast members set to appear are Will Smith (who played a character of the same name), Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks), Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian Banks II), Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks), and DJ Jazzy Jeff (Jazz).

A notable exception here is, of course, Janet Hubert, who played the original Aunt Viv for the first three seasons of the six-season series. That said, her absence for the reunion special likely won't come as a surprise to any Fresh Prince fans who have kept up with Hubert's comments over the years. Hubert once claimed that Will Smith screwed everyone over on Fresh Prince, and she dropped some interesting comments on a previous occasion that the cast reunited without her.

Sadly, James Avery, who played Philip Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, passed away back in 2014. Still, the Fresh Prince reunion special should be a cause for celebration among fans, although I for one will be disappointed if there's not some kind of recreation of the opening credits with the iconic theme song and/or Alfonso Ribeiro busting out his dance moves for "the Carlton." The night will reportedly be full of music, dancing, and special surprise guests, so I'd say the odds of at least "the Carlton" are pretty great. Ribeiro clearly didn't forget the moves when the show ended!

The unscripted special will look back at the show and its cultural impact since its debut in 1990. Although the special itself isn't scheduled to release on HBO Max until around Thanksgiving, it will be taped on September 10, which is 30 years to the date of the Fresh Prince premiere. HBO Max is already the exclusive home of all six seasons of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air streaming.

News of the reunion comes not too long after reports that a dramatic reimagining of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is in development, with none other than Will Smith himself attached. The series was reportedly being shopped around to streaming services earlier in August, including Peacock and Netflix as well as HBO Max. Does the reunion special bode well for a potential reboot of the show coming to the HBO streamer, with the dramatic twist? Fresh Prince was known to get dramatic at times, but this reimagining sounds like it would be in a whole different genre than the original.

For now, you can look forward to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion special with most of the original cast (aside from the original Aunt Viv and James Avery) premiering around Thanksgiving 2020, and enjoy streaming the original run of the series on HBO Max. If you're in the market for some newer viewing options between now and Thanksgiving, check out our 2020 fall TV premiere schedule!

It’s kind of crazy to think that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air debuted all the way back in 1990 since it’s still wildly popular today. Whether it’s the style, the dance moves (it’s cheesy, but who doesn’t whip out “the Carlton” every now and then at a party), or even the theme song, but the show that made Will Smith a household name still has a legion of fans even today.

And with HBO Max now streaming all 6 seasons, there’s no better time than now to hail a taxi to a town called Bel-Air. But once you do, you’ll probably remember that it wasn’t just the Will Smith show, as it was the whole cast that made the series special. So, what’s the cast doing now since the show ended in 1996? This article aims to find out.

Will Smith (Will)

Will was the brash, fun-loving star of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air (I mean, he WAS the Prince after all) who always got on his Uncle Phil’s nerves and liked to romance the ladies. That said, he always found a way into everybody’s heart and brought his West Philadelphia charm to L.A. in a major way. In the last episode, Will stayed in California to finish school, while everybody else pretty much left, creating an interesting close to the show. But since the series ended back in 1996, Will Smith kind of disappeared from the limelight. Just kidding. He’s been everywhere since then.

He had a successful rap career with DJ Jazzy Jeff both before and during the show, but he had an even bigger career after it ended, releasing the albums Big Willie Style (which went 9X platinum!), Willennium, Born to Reign, and Lost and Found. He also had a monster single on the Men in Black soundtrack, which he also starred in. In fact, some of his biggest movies during the ‘90s and 2000s were the aforementioned MIB and its two sequels, Independence Day, Bad Boys 1 and 2, The Pursuit of Happyness, I Am Legend, and pretty much every major movie produced in Hollywood for awhile. If you saw a major blockbuster in the '90s and early 2000s, he was probably in it.

As of late, Will Smith was the Genie in Aladdin, a pigeon in Spies in Disguise, the comic book character Deadshot in Suicide Squad, and most recently reprised his role as Detective Mike Lowrey in Bad Boys For Life, which is the third movie in the series. There’s also a Bad Boys sequel in the works (So they probably should have saved the last movie title for this one so it could be Bad Boys 4 Life), and his Civil War action thriller Emancipation will be heading to Apple+. So yeah, he’s still doing pretty well for himself.

Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks)

Carlton was the Tom Jones loving, happy-go-lucky son of Philip Banks who had his head on his shoulders, but also knew how to break it down and sing into a hair brush every now and then. He had a love-hate relationship with Will, but in the end, they became good friends. In the last episode, he went to Princeton because he was also a Mr. smarty pants.

Alfonso Ribeiro himself has been keeping busy. He’s still making people laugh as the current host of ABC’s America’s Funniest Home Videos. He directed numerous episodes for shows like Meet the Browns, Are We There Yet? and K.C. Undercover. And he also participated (and won!) Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars with Witney Carson. As of late, he also sued Epic Games for using his “Carlton Dance” in the game Fortnite, but ultimately dropped the suit. 

It’s not unusual to love Alfonso Ribeiro.

Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks)

Hilary was the drama queen diva of the show who often looked down upon people without money. Still, she got along well with Will—even better than he did with Carlton—and even had her own daytime talk show simply titled “Hilary.” In the last episode of the series, she moved to New York since that’s where her show was moved to.

As an actress, Karyn Parsons’ last gig was in in a short film in 2017 called On Monday of Last Week. Other than acting, she also recently published her first middle-grade novel in 2019 titled, How High the Moon, which is about a girl growing up in Jim Crow South.

Tatyana M. Ali (Ashley Banks)

Ashley Banks was always Will’s closet cousin. She looked up to him and liked to walk in his footsteps since he wasn’t as uptight or stuffy as her brother, Carton, or her sister, Hilary. When she got older, she dropped the good girl attitude and got a little rebellious, but it never got too bad. Will always made sure that she didn’t stray too far to dark side. In the last episode, she moved out of California and went to New York with Hilary.

Tatyana Ali continued acting from 2007-2013 on the soap opera, The Young and the Restless as the character, Roxanne. And in 2013, she also was in the BET comedy, Second Generation Wayans alongside Craig Wayans and Damien Dante Wayans. She also acted as a spokesperson for Barack Obama during his 2008 Presidential run, doing a rock the vote sort of thing at campuses to get young people to the polls. Her music career has also stayed buoyant. Her debut album, which came out in 1998 called Kiss the Sky, went gold, and she released Hello in 2014. Her most recent contribution was a single for the album Music to Inspire: Artists United Against Human Trafficking with the song, “Ghost Town” back in 2017.

Janet Hubert (The First Vivian Banks)

The first Aunt Viv (who’s directly related to Will since her sister is Will’s mother) was strict and to the point, but she cared for Will and tried to steer him and her children on the right course. She was also quite witty and my preferred Aunt Viv. She got a PhD at UCLA and met her husband, Phillip Banks there. She left the show (or rather, was ousted) around mid-third season, and she’s still not happy about it.

Janet Hurbert is still acting. She recently played Yvonne Godfrey on General Hospital from 2018-2019, and also recently played Whitley in a BET TV movie called Christmas Belles. She also has Osteoporosis and is an Ambassador for the National Osteoporosis Foundation. Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that she STILL has a feud going with Will Smith since she says he got her fired. Now that’s commitment.

Daphne Maxwell Reid (The Second Vivian Banks)

The second Aunt Viv was the complete opposite of the first, often just being super supportive of her children and Will. She has her fans, but I much prefer Janet Hubert. In the last episode, she moved out East with Philip and their son, Nicky (remember him?) to be with the rest of her family.

Daphne Maxwell Reid has mostly stayed busy in television, but she has also been in movies, most recently the 2019 film, Harriet as Miz Lucy. Her next slated project, according to IMDb is a movie called The Business of Christmas, which is slated for this holiday season, but we’ll see. You know. Coronavirus.

Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler)

Geoffrey Butler (oh, my God. Was Butler really his last name?) was the witty voice of reason and butler of the Banks family. He was British, so Will was usually cracking on him for that, but he was loyal to the family, even if he did think they were sort of beneath him. It was just the aristocrat in him. In the last episode, he went back to London to be with his son.

Joseph Marcell has been sticking mostly to British TV and movies, but you can currently see him on Netflix as Chief Wembe in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which also stars Chiwetel Ejiofor.

James Avery (Philip Banks)

Last but certainly not least is the patriarch of the family, Philip Banks. Philip was the stern, protective poppa of the Banks family, and often got annoyed by Will’s antics. But he also cared deeply for him, taking him in as his own and being like a father to him. He was once a lawyer, but eventually became a judge. And he is by far my favorite character on the show.

Unfortunately, James Avery passed away in 2013 from complications of open-heart surgery. His last film role when he was alive was in a TV movie called Go, Bolivia, Go! as Commissioner Morocco, and he was also Sam in a 2012 episode of Grey’s Anatomy. He also carried the title of Judge with him on his role in The Young and the Restless for two episodes as Judge Roy Daley. Quite recently, the cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Minus Janet Hubert, who was most likely not invited) also honored him recently with a virtual reunion tribute. Gone but not forgotten, Uncle Phil will always be remembered.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has a long legacy and an unbelievable fan base. It’s good to know that most of the actors are still staying busy and seem to be happy. Catch the show on HBO Max whenever you just want to smile and be nostalgic.