SAD NEWS: 20 minutes ago, Jaden Smith, son of Will Smith, painfully announced t… See more

Comments poured in. Tributes began appearing almost immediately.

For many, the idea of losing Will Smith felt personal.

Over decades, he built a reputation not just as a Hollywood star, but as a figure people connected with. From his early days on television to his performances in major films, he became part of pop culture in a way that few actors ever continue reading …