<P> The theme song and opening sequence set the premise of the show . Will Smith is a street - smart teenager, West Philadelphia "born and raised". While playing street basketball, Will misses a shot and the ball hits a group of people, causing a confrontation that frightens his mother, who sends him to live with his aunt and uncle in the opulent neighborhood of Bel Air, Los Angeles . </P> <P> Will's working - class background ends up clashing in various humorous ways with the upper - class world of the Banks family--Will's uncle Phil and aunt Vivian and their children, Will's cousins: Hilary, Carlton, and Ashley . </P> <P> The premise is loosely based on the real - life story of the show's producer Benny Medina . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Actor / actress </Th> <Th> Character </Th> <Th_colspan="11"> Seasons </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> </Th> <Th> 5 </Th> <Th> 6 </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Will Smith </Td> <Td> Will Smith </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> James Avery </Td> <Td> Philip Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Janet Hubert - Whitten </Td> <Td> Vivian Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> Main </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Daphne Maxwell Reid </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> </Td> <Td_colspan="3"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Alfonso Ribeiro </Td> <Td> Carlton Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Karyn Parsons </Td> <Td> Hilary Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tatyana M. Ali </Td> <Td> Ashley Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Joseph Marcell </Td> <Td> Geoffrey Butler </Td> <Td_colspan="6"> Main </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ross Bagley </Td> <Td> Nicholas "Nicky" Banks </Td> <Td_colspan="4"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> Main </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Who was the fresh prince of bel-air based on