Patrick Jabari Campbell (born August 2, 1998), known professionally as Jabari Banks, is an American actor and musician.[2] He is best known for starring as Will Smith in the Peacock drama Bel-Air (2022–2025). In addition to acting, he releases music under the mononym Jabari, including the EP ULTRA (2025).[3]
Jabari Banks | |
|---|---|
 Banks speaking onstage at CultureCon in 2025 | |
| Born | August 2, 1998 |
| Alma mater | University of the Arts (attended) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2022–present |
Early life
editBanks was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland.[1] He attended Riverdale Baptist School in Upper Marlboro, where he first became involved in acting, singing, and writing music.[citation needed]
Banks has family in West Philadelphia and spent time there throughout his upbringing. After high school, he moved to Philadelphia full-time and lived in North Philadelphia for about six years while attending the University of the Arts.[1] He studied musical theater before leaving the program during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1]
According to Banks, he began using his middle name, Jabari, professionally in high school. He later chose the surname "Banks" as a stage name, inspired by his favorite television series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[citation needed]
Career
editActing
editBanks made his television debut in 2022 in the leading role of Will Smith in Peacock’s Bel-Air, a dramatic reimagining of the 1990 sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.[4][5] His performance earned him a nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series at the 2024 NAACP Image Awards.[6]
In 2024, Banks appeared in the heist thriller Bad Genius.[7]
Music
editBanks is also active as a musician, releasing work under the mononym Jabari. His official Spotify biography highlights his creative background, his early artistic development, and the importance of spiritual alignment in his work.[8]
He released his debut single "Something Else" in 2023, followed by "Weekend Drive" in 2024. In 2025, he released the 8-track EP ULTRA, which includes the songs:
- "Lobby"
- "No Trouble"
- "that one laundromat"
- "Makeup Sex"
- "Eastside bb"
- "In My Head"
- "ULTRA"
- "Amen."[9]
Filmography
editTelevision
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2025 | Bel-Air | Will Smith | Main role |
Film
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Bad Genius | Bank Adedamola | Feature film[10][7] |
| 2025 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw | Lenwood Heath (voice) | Feature film |
Discography
editAwards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BET Awards | 2022 | Best Actor | Bel-Air | Nominated | [13] |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2023 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | [14] | |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | [6] | |
| Black Reel Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Drama Series | Nominated | [15] | |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2025 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | [16][17][18] | |
| NAACP Image Awards | 2026 | Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | [19][20][21] |
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "From PG County to Bel-Air: Jabari Banks' Story". Sommer Time Podcast. October 1, 2025. Retrieved December 1, 2025.
- ↑ Caruso, Skyler (February 11, 2022). "What to Know About 'Bel-Air's Breakout Star Jabari Banks". People.
- 1 2 3 Victoria, Kenyatta. "Jabari Banks drops debut EP as Bel-Air ends". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Petski, Denise (December 16, 2021). "'Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere". Deadline. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Peacock Announces 'Bel-Air' Cast". Essence. September 14, 2021. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- 1 2 "NAACP Image Awards 2024: Complete Winners List". People. March 16, 2024.
- 1 2 Jackson, Angelique (March 23, 2023). "Benedict Wong, Jabari Banks and Callina Liang to Star in 'Bad Genius,' Directed by JC Lee". Variety. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "Jabari – Artist Profile". Spotify. Retrieved November 29, 2025.
- ↑ "Jabari Releases Debut EP ULTRA via Epic Records". Sheen Magazine. September 13, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Mancini, Maggie (March 24, 2023). "Jabari Banks to star in his first movie, 'Bad Genius,' a remake of a 2017 Thai film". PhillyVoice. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "New Music This Week: Jermaine Dupri, Mario, Coi Leray And More". Essence. September 12, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Baker, Josh. "Jabari Banks Unveils 'Something Else' Album in TV Spotlight". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "BET Awards 2022: Jabari Banks' Fashion Is Nothing Short of 'Fresh'". BET. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Hilary (February 26, 2023). "NAACP Image Awards: Will Smith, Angela Bassett, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Among Top Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Complex, Valerie (June 15, 2023). "Black Reel 7th Annual Television Awards Featuring Gender Neutral Categories Announces Nominations; 'The Best Man: Final Chapters' Leads With 18 Noms". Deadline. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "NAACP Image Awards 2025: See the Complete Winners List". People.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2025. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Hilary (February 23, 2025). "2025 NAACP Image Awards: Keke Palmer Named Entertainer of the Year as 'The Six Triple Eight' Nabs Two Wins". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Dixon, Delaina. "NAACP Image Awards Reveal 2026 Nominees". EBONY. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "'Sinners' Runs the Table at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards". BET. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ Lewis, Hilary (March 1, 2026). "2026 NAACP Image Awards: 'Sinners' Dominates With 13 Wins, Including Best Motion Picture". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
- ↑ "NAACP Image Awards Unveil 2026 Nominees, Led By Teyana Taylor, Kendrick Lamar, And Cynthia Erivo". Essence. January 12, 2026. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
External links
edit- Jabari Banks at IMDb