Will Smith shares 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' cast reunion selfie for sitcom's 30th anniversary

They gathered to film a one-time reunion special.

September 11, 2020, 12:00 PM

This is a story all about how the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" cast reunited on the iconic sitcom's 30th anniversary.

Will Smith shared two photos of the one-time reunion special for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" for HBO Max, which was taped Thursday, exactly 30 years after it originally premiered on Sept. 10, 1990.

The reunion special, described as "a funny and heartfelt night full of music, dancing and more special surprise guests" by the streamer, is set to air around Thanksgiving, according to a press release.

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" featured Smith playing a fictionalized version of himself named Will, a teen from West Philadelphia sent to live with his rich Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv in their Bel Air mansion with their children -- Hilary, Carlton and Ashley.

The first photo is a family reunion of Smith, 51, with the entire cast of series regulars -- including Tatyana Ali (Ashley), Karyn Parsons (Hilary), Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey, the family's butler), Daphne Maxwell Reid (Aunt Viv) and Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton) -- plus DJ Jazzy Jeff on set in the Banks' home.

The one person missing, of course, is Uncle Phil himself, James Avery, who died in 2013 at the age of 68.

The other photo was of Smith in the middle of what appears to be a lively chat with Janet Hubert, who originated the role of Aunt Viv. Hubert played the character from seasons 1 through 3 before Reid took over for seasons 4 through 6.

Per a press release, this was the first time Smith and Hubert spoke in 27 years, sitting down for what is described as "a candid conversation." The two have famously been at odds since Hubert's departure from the show.

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" ran for six seasons, airing 148 episodes before its series finale on May 20, 1996.