Will Smith considers changing his first name to Welsh after discovering surprise connection to country
The actor, 56, joined host Lucy Owens on BBC Radio Wales to discuss a series of links to the country which neighbors England.
She explained to the star that where he grew up in Wynnefield, Philadelphia, is actually named after Welsh physician Dr Thomas Wynne.
She also revealed that his mother's hometown of Bryn Mawr, Philadelphia, was named by 17th-century Welsh Quakers.
'So I'm Welsh?' Smith asked excitedly, 'I'm Welsh, basically.'
Owens joked in response: 'Yes, Will! You are Welsh and we are claiming you.'
The actor quickly decided he was a fan of his new heritage and pondered a name change.
'That might be my new name,' Smith laughed. 'Welsh Smith. I'm gonna be Welsh Smith.'
Owens then added that Bryn Mawr, where Smith's mother still lives, translates to 'big hill' in Welsh.
This again excited her guest: 'Big Will lives in Big Hill. This is crazy.'
The host then joked that the Men In Black actor could turn the newfound information into a rap and Smith gave it an impromptu try, rapping, 'Big hill, big Will — big still!'
Will is currently touring his new album Based On A True Story, his first since 2005's Lost And Found.
The singer has a performance set for Cardiff Castle on August 25, only days after Welsh performer Sir Tom Jones.
Will and Tom shared the screen on the '90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
'It was magnificent. When somebody with that kind of iconic status just walks into the room - he walked onto the set and you just get that [gasp], that thing when the audience recognizes what's happening,' Will recalled.
'It was one of the classic moments on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'
The singer teased a tribute to Sir Tom in his Cardiff show: 'There's a part in my show where we celebrate his connection to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'
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