Remember the dramatic thriller “Six Degrees of Separation” from 1993? Well, it turns out there was some serious behind-the-scenes drama – but not the kind you might expect!
Stockard Channing, the legendary actress who played Ouisa Kittredge in the film, recently opened up about her experience working with a young Will Smith, then just starting his rise to superstardom.
On “The Hollywood Reporter’s It Happened in Hollywood” podcast, the 80-year-old Channing revealed she felt an instant connection with Smith, now 55. But plot twist – it wasn’t romantic!
“I felt very motherly towards him,” Channing said. She gushed about Smith’s charm and sweetness, calling him a “sweetheart” and “natural.” High praise from Hollywood royalty!
This might come as a surprise considering Smith recently admitted in his memoir that he actually fell in love with Channing while filming. Whoa!
However, Channing clarifies there were no sparks on her end. “There was nothing [romantic] that was between me and him,” she shut down.
It seems Smith’s dedication to his craft might have gotten a little too real. He reportedly felt a “real survival instinct” that aligned perfectly with his character, a smooth-talking con artist. Maybe a little too perfectly?
Despite Smith’s off-screen infatuation, Channing remembers him fondly. She even complimented his professionalism, noting there was none of the “big shot” attitude despite his growing fame from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and his music career.
“Six Degrees of Separation” was a big deal for both actors. It was one of Smith’s first major film roles, and Channing received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
The movie itself is based on a crazy true story of a real-life con artist who weaseled his way into wealthy families’ lives. Talk about dramatic inspiration!
While a real-life romance between Channing and Smith wasn’t in the cards, their on-screen chemistry definitely crackled.
Catch Channing on the upcoming series “Knuckles,” and see Smith back in action with Martin Lawrence in “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” hitting theaters this June!
