Will Smith views himself as “one of the most prolific actors of our time,” a claim that’s difficult to dispute. During a recent Plaqueboymax stream, the King Richard Oscar winner included himself alongside legendary actors when asked about his Mount Rushmore of acting.
“I mean, that’s definitely how I’m feeling but I just don’t feel like I should say that publicly,” Smith admitted when Max suggested he include himself. “Alright, Mount Rushmore. Actors. Damn. So I would start with Marlon Brando. I’m trying to look at the whole spectrum. … So three of them, and I’m not really saying this to be arrogant, I do think I’m like one of the most prolific actors of our time.”
Smith then named Denzel Washington third before distinguishing between actors and movie stars. According to Smith, an actor delivers “a transformative experience,” while a movie star “can put a movie on their back and carry it.” He completed his list with Daniel Day-Lewis as his fourth pick.
“You go to a Denzel movie because it’s Denzel,” Smith added. “You go to a Will Smith movie because it’s Will Smith.”
When Max asked about his Mount Rushmore of actresses, Smith named Taraji P. Henson first. Cicely Tyson, Halle Berry, and Whoopi Goldberg completed his list, with special recognition for Goldberg’s range and EGOT achievement.
“She really covered a spectacular range,” Smith praised Goldberg’s career spanning from her Oscar-winning role in Ghost (1990) to The View, which has earned her multiple Emmy nominations and one win.
Will Smith has several major projects in the works, including an I Am Legend sequel and a potential Netflix action film with original Bad Boys director Michael Bay. His new album, Based on a True Story, drops next Friday.
