Random Things You Didn't Know About The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (18 items)

(#9) Only Four Actors Appeared in Every Episode

Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, and James Avery are the only cast members who appeared in every single episode of the show.
(#3) The Carlton Dance Came from Eddie Murphy and Courteney Cox

The popular Carlton Dance was actually a parody of the dance Courteney Cox did in the music video for Bruce Springsteen's 1984 hit "Dancing in the Dark." Said Alfonso Ribeiro, "The Carlton Dance was created when it said in the script: 'Carlton dances.' It was never even intended to be funny; it was just that he was dancing. The dance is ultimately Courteney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video 'Dancing in the Dark.' That's the basis. Or in Eddie Murphy's 'Delirious' video, 'White Man Can't Dance,' as he called it."
(#10) Prisoners Prefer Fresh Prince over Harry Potter

In August 2012, the Miami Herald reported that the show was especially popular among prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
(#16) Will Isn't Really Short For William

Well, on the show it was. But in real life, Will Smith's full first name is Willard.
(#14) Two Different Actresses Played Aunt Vivian

Aunt Vivian Banks was portrayed by two different actresses during the series run. Janet Hubert-Whitten portrayed the original Vivian in the first three seasons, but problems between Will Smith, the producers, and Hubert-Whitten caused her to leave the show. Daphne Maxwell Reid replaced her in the role for the final three seasons.
(#6) NBC Execs Nearly Fired Alfozo Ribiero

Even though he was one of the only four actors to appear in every episode of Fresh Prince, Alfonso Ribiero almost didn't make it past the first episode. He was initially cast in the pilot, but the new president of NBC at the time asked that Carlton be recast after seeing the episode. It's uncertain why the executive changed his mind, but the rest is TV history.