Hollywood actor Will Smith’s father, Willard Carroll Smith Sr, has di-ed. His de-ath was confirmed by his ex-wife, Sheree Fletcher.

Willard was a refrigeration engineer and a former member of the US Air Force. In the book, ‘Will Smith: A Biography’, it claims Will’s dad put him off doing dr-ugs when he was younger by driving him to tough neighbourhoods in Philadelphia to show him what it was like for people on such sub-stances.

On the fear of his father if he ever took dr-ugs, he is quoted as saying: ‘I felt my father would k-ill me. Literally.’ Will has also previously praised his dad as a ‘steady and positive figure’ in his life. He once said: ‘Dad was tough but not tyrannical.

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‘He kept me in line. He’d get this look that said, ‘One more step, Will, and it’ll get ugly. ‘He was an independent businessman – he set up refrigeration in supermarkets – and he always provided for us. He’s a steady and positive figure in my life.’