I Am Legend

Background:

Child actress Willow Smith, daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, first gained notice as daughter Marley on the box office hit “I Am Legend” (2007), starring her father. The role brought her a Young Artist nomination. She went on to share a Young Artist Award in the well-received drama “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl” (2008), starring Abigail Breslin, and to work with her mother in the animated installment “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” (2008, as the voice of Baby Gloria).

The 9-year-old Willow is set to work with brother Jaden on the upcoming film “Amulet” (2009).

The Youngest Smith

Childhood and Family:

Willow Camille Reign Smith was born on October 31, 2000, in Los Angeles, California, to celebrity parents Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. She has two older siblings, Willard Smith III (aka. Trey Smith) (born on November 11, 1992), her dad's son from his first marriage to Sheree Smith, and Jaden Christopher Syre Smith (born on July 8, 1998).

Kit Kittredge: An American Girl

Career:

Daughter of Hollywood heavyweights, Willow Smith made her big screen debut at age 7 in the successful sci-fi/thriller “I Am Legend” (2007), directed by Francis Lawrence and starring her father, Will Smith. She played Marley Neville, the daughter of Robert and Zoe Neville, respectively portrayed by Smith and Salli Richardson, and was nominated for a 2008 Young Artist Award in the category of Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Actress Age Ten or Younger for her acting job.

Shortly thereafter, Willow emerged on her own when she landed an important supporting role as Countee Garby in the drama/family film “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl,” widely released on July 2, 2008. Directed by Patricia Rozema and scripted by Valerie Tripp, it earned mostly positive reviews from critics. She won a 2009 Young Artist for Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Ensemble Cast, an honor she shared with costars Abigail Breslin, Madison Davenport, Austin Macdonald, Zach Mills and Max Thieriot.

Also in 2008, Willow provided the voice of Baby Gloria on the hit cartoon film “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” the sequel to DreamWorks' 2005 “Madagascar.” The film starred the voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, Andy Richter and her mother, Jada Pinkett Smith. It also featured voices from Bernie Mac, Sherri Shepherd, Alec Baldwin and will.i.am.

Recently, in 2009, Willow guested as Young True in “Testing True,” an episode of “True Jackson, VP.” She will act together with older brother Jaden in the adventure film “Amulet” (2009).

Awards:

• Young Artist: Best Performance in a Feature Film - Young Ensemble Cast, “Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, 2009