Summary

• The Banks family from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is iconic and has left a strong impression on audiences due to their hilarious shenanigans and heart-to-heart moments.
• Uncle Phil is considered the best television dad, showing infinite patience and empathy. He treats Will like his own son and sets positive examples for his family.
• Hilary initially comes off as shallow and snobby, but after a tragic event, she matures and becomes more likable. Will's authenticity and personality earn him respect from the Banks family.

Despite its relatively small size, the Banks family from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is easily one of the most iconic television sitcom families of all time. While other memorable characters and even celebrities have shown up at different points in the beloved '90s sitcom, each member of the Banks family has left a strong impression on audiences almost thirty years after its conclusion. Whether because of the hilarious shenanigans that the Banks family finds themselves in or the heart-to-heart moments they share, the Banks resonated strongly with viewers.

The brilliant acting performances from the principal cast and the hilarious unscripted moments are just a handful of reasons why audiences hold the fictional family in such high regard. While there are other popular and beloved sitcom families similar to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, something about these characters has given them a special place in pop culture. From the oldest member to the youngest, the Banks family has been responsible for bringing plenty of joy and laughs to families all over the world.

Philip Banks

Played by James Avery

Often considered the best television dad of all time, Uncle Phil is the stern but fair patriarch of the Banks family as well as a hardworking lawyer and eventual judge. Played by the late James Avery, Uncle Phil is known for his near-infinite amount of patience and empathy for anyone he interacts with - especially when it comes to matters concerning Will. Despite Uncle Phil's towering presence, he just about always speaks to his wife Vivian and daughters Hilary and Ashley in a gentle and respectful tone, as he wants to set positive examples for Carlton and Will.

Despite Will constantly trying Uncle Phil's patience, he never treats Will differently from his biological children and even goes out of his way to ensure Will has a much better upbringing than what he was accustomed to prior to moving in. A particularly strong example of this is in the tear-jerker season four episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse" in which he consoles a vulnerable Will after his biological father walks out on him again. Whether engaging in petty rivalries with Geoffrey or standing up for his family, Uncle Phil is arguably the most respected member of the Banks family.

Vivian Banks

Played by Janet Hubert (Seasons 1-3) and Daphne Maxwell Reid (Seasons 4-6)

Better known as Aunt Viv, Vivian Banks is the matriarch of the Banks family and is depicted as a hard-working and intelligent woman. Regal and steadfast, Aunt Viv in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is someone whom many of the characters lean on whenever they need advice or guidance without invoking the more stern Uncle Phil's wrath. Nevertheless, Aunt Viv has been seen occasionally showing her more stern side - especially with Will and Carlton, whenever the situation calls for it.

A notable example of Aunt Viv's no-nonsense side was seen in the climax of the sixth episode of season 1, "Mistaken Identity" in which a furious Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil threaten corrupt police officers with legal action after discovering they neglected to do their jobs properly in favor of racially profiling Will and Carlton. Furthermore, Aunt Viv has been known to correct Uncle Phil in the rare instances when he's unreasonable with the boys. A loving wife and caring mother, Aunt Viv cemented herself as one of television's greatest role models.

Hilary Banks

Played By Karyn Parsons

The eldest of the Banks' children, Hilary Banks is often depicted as someone who is incredibly vain, shallow, dim-witted, selfish, and snobby. Her snobbish attitude was on full display early in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's run when she was seen blatantly judging Will on of his rough upbringing despite not knowing much about him. Irrespective of her spiky exterior, her younger sister Ashley ires Hilary as she knows deep down inside that she genuinely cares for her loved ones.

After the second episode of season 4, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2)," Hilary's boyfriend Trevor tragically dies in a bungee jumping accident, and it has a profound effect on her. After processing what happens, she has an easier time itting her faults and being nicer, thus maturing more than any member of her family or character in the show. Despite her initial carelessness toward other people, Hilary experiences plenty of growth that makes her much more likable throughout the show.

Will Smith

Played By Will Smith

While not a biological son of Uncle Phil or Aunt Viv, Will is related to the Banks family on of his mother being the older sister of Vivian Banks. Unlike any of his maternal cousins, Will had an incredibly rough upbringing due to his father walking out on him and his mother and leaving them to provide for themselves in West Philadelphia. In spite of Will's circumstances, he's shown to be someone who is perpetually happy, effortlessly charismatic, and always willing to stand up for people weaker than him.

Easily one of Will Smith's best characters, Will endeared himself to audiences and everyone around him as he was authentic and always true to himself. While this authenticity initially clashed with his more regal family , they eventually learned to accept it as they realized Will's personality is largely what kept him out of trouble before being sent to Bel-Air. Will's amiability and ability were great examples for Ashley and Carlton, and his desire to be greater than what his circumstances allowed earned him Uncle Phil, Aunt Viv, and Hilary's respect.

Carlton Banks

Played By Alfonso Ribeiro

The firstborn son of Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv, Carlton Banks is typically seen carrying the brunt of the children's responsibilities. Even though Carlton often complains about these responsibilities, he inevitably accepts them as he realizes his parents do it to help him develop his character and personality. Outside of this, Carlton is often portrayed as a stereotypical preppy individual with little to no street smarts. This changes somewhat after Will moves in as his cousin's extroverted nature helps get Carlton out of his shell.

Despite Carlton's usual pretentious and cowardly characterization, he's displayed signs of bravery and fortitude when it mattered the most. In the eighth episode of season 4, "Blood is Thicker Than Mud," Carlton is seen standing up to an all-Black fraternity after its leader Top Dog questions his authenticity as a Black man due to his wealthy upbringing. The important moment had an impact on Will as he treated Carlton similarly to how Top Dog did, and it firmly established Carlton as a strong character in the face of his perceived weaknesses.

Ashley Banks

Played By Tatyana M. Ali

The second-youngest member of the Banks family, Ashley is an intelligent and caring young lady who immediately shows the most affection towards Will upon meeting him. Perhaps due to Will's hip-hop aesthetic and cool-guy demeanor, Ashley gravitates and even imitates Will over the course of the first few seasons to hilarious effect. Despite its hilarity, however, Ashley started butting heads with her parents early in the show because of Will's influence - something that completely shocked Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv.

In the seventh episode of season 5, "Father Knows Best," Ashley drops out of private school behind her parents' backs and convinces Will to cover for her. After the duo's failed plot, Ashley comes clean to Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv - and despite her punishment for the act, is commended for eventually telling them the truth. Nevertheless, Ashley displays an aptitude to follow in Aunt Viv's shadow throughout the series while still maintaining a close relationship with Will.

Nicky Banks

Played By Ross Bagley

The youngest member of the Banks family, Nicky is the second son of Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv and is shown to be a child wise well beyond his years, friendly, curious, and respectful for the most part. In other instances - usually with Will, he displays arrogance and rudeness, typically as a result of being frustrated with someone he deems a dork. Nicky was met with mixed reception when he was introduced since he was more a plot device to motivate older characters to improve themselves than a fleshed-out character. Irrespective of this, his chemistry with Will produced some of the funniest moments in the second half of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Joe and Hattie Banks

Played by Gilbert Lewis and Virginia Capers Respectively

Receiving the least amount of screen time out of any member of the Banks family, Philip's parents, Joe and Hattie Banks, are its oldest seen in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The elder Banks debuted in the season 1 episode, "Not with My Pig, You Don't," and it is in this episode that audiences learn more about Uncle Phil's humble beginnings as a child on his parents' farm. Even though Uncle Phil is embarrassed about his past, his family - Will in particular - thinks it's great that he grew up on a farm, believing that it's largely what contributed to his disciplined and principled character.

Whereas Joe only appeared in the season 1 episode on of ing away off-screen shortly after his debut, Hattie made five additional appearances throughout the show's run, with her last visit coming in season 6's Christmas episode. Moreover, despite Will having no blood relation to either Joe or Hattie, he affectionately referred to them as his grandparents and was seen bonding with Hattie in her subsequent appearances in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.