Friday, January 16, 2026

Will Smith Explains Origin of ‘Fresh Prince’ Nickname: ‘Thank You for That, Mrs. Brown’

Will Smith gave a special acknowledgment to his former teacher during a street renaming ceremony in Philadelphia.

The Oscar winner was honored Wednesday when the 2000 block of North 59th Street was renamed Will Smith Way.

The street is next to Smith’s former school, Overbrook High, and Smith recognized teacher Mrs. Brenda Brown, who inspired his “Fresh Prince” nickname.

Smith used this nickname as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and later in his hit sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

“Where’s Mrs. Brown?” Smith asked the crowd in the Instagram reel below. “Mrs. Brown, Brenda Brown, was my first teacher in 10th grade when I walked through these doors. Mrs. Brown’s about 5 feet tall, and she used to walk up in my chest, and she would be like [gives beckoning gesture].”

Will Smith gave a special acknowledgment to his former teacher during a street renaming ceremony in Philadelphia.

The Oscar winner was honored Wednesday when the 2000 block of North 59th Street was renamed Will Smith Way.

The street is next to Smith’s former school, Overbrook High, and Smith recognized teacher Mrs. Brenda Brown, who inspired his “Fresh Prince” nickname.

Smith used this nickname as part of DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and later in his hit sitcom, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

“Where’s Mrs. Brown?” Smith asked the crowd in the Instagram reel below. “Mrs. Brown, Brenda Brown, was my first teacher in 10th grade when I walked through these doors. Mrs. Brown’s about 5 feet tall, and she used to walk up in my chest, and she would be like [gives beckoning gesture].”

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