Will Smith Pays Tribute to Mentor, ‘Fresh Prince’ Producer Quincy Jones

Will Smith is remembering his longtime mentor and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air producer Quincy Jones.

“Quincy Jones is the true definition of a mentor, a father and a friend,” Smith wrote alongside a photo of him and Jones on the Fresh Prince set shared via Instagram on Monday, November 4. “He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

Though Smith, 56, is now a renowned actor and Oscar winner, he got his big acting break in the 1990s when he starred on Fresh Prince, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996 and was initially produced by Jones’ Quincy Jones Entertainment and later by Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment.

Jones also composed the hit sitcom’s iconic theme song, performed by Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

The legendary music producer died Sunday, November 3, at his home in the Bel Air area of Los Angeles, his publicist Arnold Robinson said, per multiple outlets including The Hollywood Reporter and the Associated Press.

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him,” Jones’ family said in a statement.

Jones was best known for his work with Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin and Frank Sinatra. He produced Jackson’s Thriller, which is the best-selling album of all time.

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“Today, we say goodbye to the legendary Quincy Jones—a musical giant whose genius reshaped our world and left an enduring legacy. Rest well, Quincy,” actor Morgan Freeman shared via X on Monday.

“For decades, Quincy Jones was music. From producing Thriller, to composing the score for The Color Purple, to working with Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles, it seemed like every big record – and every big film – had Quincy’s name on it,” former U.S. President Barack Obama wrote via X.

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“His music appealed to listeners of every race and every age. And by building a career that took him from the streets of Chicago to the heights of Hollywood, Quincy paved the way for generations of Black executives to leave their mark on the entertainment business,” Obama continued. “Michelle and I send our thoughts to Quincy’s friends, family, and everyone who has lived their lives to his songs.”

Jones is survived by his children Jolie, 71, whom he shared with his first wife, Jeri Caldwell, Martina, 58, and Quincy III, whom he shared with his second wife, actress Ulla Andersson, Rachel, 61, whom he shared with ex-girlfriend Carol Reynolds, Kidada, 50, and actress Rashida, 48, whom he shared with third wife Peggy Lipton, and daughter Kenya, 31, whom he shared with ex-girlfriend Nastassja Kinski.