Actor Will Smith found a new way to celebrate turning 50 on Tuesday, by performing a daredevil stunt above the Grand Canyon in the USA. He bungee jumped from a helicopter. Anyone who watched the 90s TV sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” might find it hard to believe he’s now 50, and that he is also performing daredevil feats and adventure sports.
As reported by the BBC, The “Men in Black” and “Independence Day” star was featured live on YouTube on Tuesday after he was challenged to heli-bungee by a group called Yes Theory, who enjoy making videos of people getting out of their comfort zone.
Actor Will Smith and the daring challenge
As reported by ITV News, it turns out this isn’t the first time the actor has performed terrifying feats. Will Smith likes to challenge himself to overcome his fears by doing so. Previously he has skydived from a plane, gone scuba diving in the sea and performed a bungee jump from a bridge. Basically, the man is up to the task when it comes to daring stunts.
When Yes Theory challenged him to go heli-bungee jumping, he agreed to the challenge, but there were three conditions involved. It had to be done over the Grand Canyon, he had to finish filming his latest Film so there was no breach of contract and, most importantly, the bungee jump must benefit charity.
All proceeds will benefit Global Citizen, a group aiming to end extreme poverty.
Family and friends joined him in the Grand Canyon, including wife Jada Pinkett Smith and their three children, Jaden, Trey and Willow. One of the friends watching the action was Alfonso Ribeiro, Will’s cast-mate Carlton on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”
Bungee jumping over the Grand Canyon
In the video included below, Smith can be heard to say the scenery was ”some of the most beautiful stuff” he had ever seen, adding that it was gorgeous, as he gazed down at the Grand Canyon from the helicopter.
However, it wasn’t quite so blissful when he started the descent towards the landing zone, as he can be overheard to say the bungee jump went from “pure terror” to “absolute bliss.” The words “Never look down” were repeated by Smith a few times previous to the bungee jump.
The video is currently ranked at number 18 on YouTube Originals with over 12 million views. Add to that number by enjoying the video below.
Other celebs who took chances
Will Smith is not alone in attempting daredevil stunts. British TV celebrity James Corden went skydiving with actor Tom Cruise a while back in Perris Valley, California. Tom had been interviewed on “The Late Late Show with James Corden and had made the mistake of asking Cruise why he performed his own stunts. Cruise turned it back on Corden by inviting him to go skydiving. While Corden looked terrified at the time, it seems they both had a really great time together.