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Entertainment • TV Series

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz that aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz that aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996. It stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a teenager from West Philadelphia who moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. The series became one of the best-known sitcoms of the 1990s.

Premise

The series follows Will, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia, after he moves to Bel-Air to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins. Much of the comedy comes from the contrast between his background and their upper-class lifestyle.

Production and broadcast

The show was created by Andy and Susan Borowitz and broadcast by NBC from 1990 to 1996. It ran for six seasons and produced 148 episodes.

Cast and characters

Will Smith played the lead role as a fictionalized version of himself. The central family includes his uncle Philip, aunt Vivian, cousins Carlton, Hilary, and Ashley, and the butler Geoffrey.

Cultural impact

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air became widely recognized for its theme song, comedic style, and portrayal of class and family differences. It remains a familiar reference in popular culture.

Key facts

  • The series is a sitcom about a culture clash between Will and his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air.
  • Will Smith plays a fictionalized version of himself, known as the Fresh Prince.
  • The show ran for six seasons on NBC.
  • It produced 148 episodes.
  • The series became one of the best-known sitcoms of the 1990s.
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Canadian context

The series was widely syndicated internationally, including in Canada, where it became familiar to audiences through North American television reruns and pop culture references.

Frequently asked questions

What is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
It is an American sitcom about a teenager from West Philadelphia who moves in with wealthy relatives in Bel-Air.
Who created the series?
The series was created by Andy Borowitz and Susan Borowitz.
Who starred in the show?
Will Smith starred as a fictionalized version of himself.
When did it originally air?
It aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996.
How many seasons and episodes did it have?
The show had six seasons and 148 episodes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fresh_Prince_of_Bel-Air
    Supports: Created by Andy and Susan Borowitz; NBC run from 1990 to 1996; premise; starring Will Smith.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_The_Fresh_Prince_of_Bel-Air_episodes
    Supports: Six seasons and 148 episodes.
  3. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q309063
    Supports: Identification as an American television series (1990–1996).
  4. Fandom — https://freshprince.fandom.com/wiki/The_Fresh_Prince_Of_Bel-Air
    Supports: UK broadcast information.