Will Smith’s Hollywood journey has been full of highs and lows, as he made his way from being a hip-hop artist to a sitcom star and then becoming a blockbuster leading man in the industry. Following his big-screen debut with the 1992 film Where the Day Takes You, he was offered to star alongside Stockard Channing in the 1993 comedy-drama Six Degrees of Separation.

Will Smith

Along with being one of his initial works on the big screen, the movie also made him aware of the dangers of going too far into his on-screen characters. The Oscar-winning actor shared his experience working on the movie and actually falling for his co-star during an interview with Esquire.

Will Smith’s First And Last Attempt at Method Acting

Will Smith starred alongside Stockard Channing, Donald Sutherland, and Ian McKellen in the 1993 comedy-drama Six Degrees of Separation. The movie follows a privileged New York couple that specializes in art dealing compelled by a man who enters their lives.

Six Degrees of Separation (1993)

During an interview with Esquire, Smith opened up about the impact the 1993 movie had on him. He shared that his character was in love with Stockard Channing’s character in the movie. As the filming ended and he went back home, he realized that he actually fell for his co-star.

“I went home, and I was dying to see Stockard,” the Bad Boys star shared. The actor further stated that it was the last time he tried method acting, as it requires one to alter their psychology. “You’re actually playing around with your psychology,” he said.

Will Smith and Stockard Channing in Six Degrees of Separation

He also shared that the movie made him realize the dangers of Method acting. “It is a really dangerous place when you get good at it,’” he said. Smith also claimed that his experience working on Six Degrees of Separation led him to decide not to opt for Method acting in the future.

Stockard Channing Delighted With Will Smith’s Confession

By the time Will Smith landed one of the leading roles in the 1993 film Six Degrees of Separation, Stockard Channing had been in the industry for over two decades. She had been an acclaimed Hollywood and Broadway actress and she was flattered by his confession.

Stockard Channing

“Well, I’m very flattered,” the Smoke actress told Page Six. She said that Smith was genuinely sweet since the moment she met him and “adored him from the first time.” She also stated that she was glad that he was opening up about his experience. “It’s amazing for me to hear that he felt that way, I’m delighted,” Channing said.

Six Degrees of Separation is available on Prime Video.