For over 35 years of his acting career, Will Smith has been the quintessential likable character, whether donning a multi-colored silk shirt or a well-tailored suit. Indeed, the actor has racked up chart-topping hits, playing serious historical figures, and seamlessly shifting between action, comedy, and drama.
Remember his charm in Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Or how about box-office juggernauts like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Bad Boys? With each role, he has solidified his place as a Hollywood heavyweight, proving that versatility is his middle name.
But the actor once humorously lamented his failure to be a superstar like Tom Cruise. However, there’s one arena where the former can beat Cruise hands down, and that’s in the art of “rizzology”—a term coined by social media to describe his unparalleled charm. Need proof? Just rewind to that legendary scene in Andy Tennant’s Hitch where his slick moves had everyone nodding with approval.
How Did Will Smith’s Attempt at Outworking Tom Cruise Go Wrong?
Will Smith once found himself in a hilarious battle with none other than Tom Cruise. In his memoir Will, the Hitch actor revealed he once set his sights on becoming the biggest movie star in the world—bigger than Cruise, if you can believe it (via Insider).
Smith, fresh off his sitcom success with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, was eager to make the leap to global stardom. And who better to seek advice from than The Terminator star Arnold Schwarzenegger; he gave Smith a piece of wisdom that could rival a fortune cookie’s best advice:
You are not a movie star if your movies are only successful in America. You are not a movie star until every person in every country on earth knows who you are. You have to travel the globe, shake every hand, kiss every baby. Think of yourself as a politician running for Biggest Movie Star in the World.
Inspired by this, Smith became the Sherlock Holmes of movie promotions, meticulously studying Cruise’s press tour tactics:
I started to notice how much other actors hate traveling, press, and promoting. It seemed like utter insanity to me…I started quietly monitoring all of Tom’s global promotional activities.
However, Smith soon discovered that Cruise’s “global promotions were the gold standard of Hollywood”. But the former wasn’t ready to throw in the towel. Instead, he pulled a rabbit out of his hat by leveraging his music career. He turned his international movie tours into electrifying events by adding live performances that drew massive crowds. Smith noted:
Tom couldn’t do that — neither could Arnold, Bruce, or Sly.
Well, he may not have surpassed Cruise in promotional skills, but he certainly made a name for himself in the global movie scene. And how can we forget Smith’s charm?
Will Smith’s Rizzology Skills Make Him Stand Out from Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise might have the explosive action and high-flying stunts, but Will Smith brings a different kind of magic to the table—an appeal so potent it could charm a snake out of its skin. According to an Instagram post, the latter’s rizz is the stuff of legends, illustrated perfectly in a scene from Hitch.
In this classic moment, Smith’s character is at a bar, trying his best to catch the attention of a woman. When she mistakes him for a staff member and lets him have it, the actor’s quick comeback is pure gold:
I’m sorry. The paramedics will have to come… to get my foot out of my mouth, sweetheart. I knew you didn’t work here. How else was I supposed to get you away from all those guys?
On the flip side, Cruise’s charm in Magnolia is a whole different kettle of fish. Playing Frank T.J. Mackey, a motivational speaker with a motto that should come with a warning label—Seduce and Destroy. Mackey’s seminars are more about playing the game than winning hearts, treating women like trophies to be conquered.
So, in this game, Will Smith’s charm is the ace of hearts that no amount of Tom Cruise’s high-flying stunts can beat. After all, sometimes it’s not about being the biggest name in the room; it’s about having that irresistible allure that makes you unforgettable!
Both Magnolia and Hitch can be rented on Apple TV.
