Will Smith's father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr, has sadly died. The actor's ex-wife Sheree Fletcher shared the news on Instagram on Monday. "We're gonna miss you Daddio," she wrote, alongside a photograph of Willard Sr, Will, and Will and Sheree's son, Trey Smith. "You lived & played by your own rules… you truly were 1 of a kind. You instilled discipline, and a work ethic that has created a legacy in your honour! #RIPDaddio #donttellmetheresnothingyoucantdo #WillSMITH1."
Sheree and Will were married for three years, from 1992 until 1995, and share 23-year-old son Trey. The Suicide Squad actor went on to tie the knot with Jada Pinkett in 1997, and together they are parents to 18-year-old son Jaden and 16-year-old daughter Willow.
Sheree Fletcher shared a snapshot of Willard Sr, with son Will and grandson Trey
So far, Will has not commented on the news of his father's passing.
The superstar has previously praised his dad as a "steady and positive figure" in his life. He once told Essence magazine, "Dad was tough but not tyrannical. He kept me in line. He'd get this look that said, 'One more step. Will, and it will get ugly.'
"He was an independent businessman – he set up refrigeration in supermarkets – and he always provided for us."
The star pictured with wife Jada and his three children, Jaden, Willow and Trey
The sad news comes just a few days after Will was pictured filming his latest project, Bright, in Los Angeles. The 48-year-old stars in the Netflix fantasy series alongside Joel Edgerton and Noomi Rapace.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Bright is set in a world where magical creatures live side by side with humans, and the police have a division handling crimes involving magic. A human cop (played by Will) is forced to work with an Orc (played by Joel) to find something that unsavoury elements are prepared to kill for – a powerful wand.