Where Is He Now: Alfonso Rebeiro (Actor) as Carlton - Fresh Prince of Bel Air.
Updated: 5/30/2005
Name: Alfonso Ribeiro
Born: September 21, 1971 in New York, NY
Claim To Fame: Probably the role that all of us know Alfonso for is that of Carlton, the uptight, preppy cousin of Will Smith, in the 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air.'
Family Life: Robin married in January 2002, 1 child, daughter named Sienna
Info: Born in New York of parents who immigrated from the Dominican Republic, Alfonso
began his career when he debuted on the PBS show "Oye Ollie."
After
getting the starring role in the Broadway musical "The Tap Dance Kid" he was
spotted by Michael Jackson who cast him as a dancer in a Pepsi commercials.
At the age of 10 Ribeiro dabbled as a musician, releasing singles such as "Dance
Baby," "Not Too Young (To Fall In Love)", "Sneak Away With Me" and "Time Bomb".
It was about this time that he was cast as Rick Schroder's best friend on the
long-running series "Silver Spoons" (1982).
He attended California State University at Los Angeles after the end of the
series, and was later cast as Carlton Banks on the popular series "The Fresh
Prince of Bel-Air" (1990).
Trivia: There was a rumor that he died in the 80s while doing a head
spin, but he was confused with a break-dancing boy in a Pepsi commercial who did
die.
An avid racecar driver, he won The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach celebrity
race in 1994 and 1995.
Admits he's hooked on 'American Idol.'
Where Is He Now: Alfonso feels he has been typecast as Carlton.
He said in an interview, "People are still seeing me in that light... It's a
character people. I'm not playing myself, that's why they call it 'acting!'"
"The role has made it harder for me to do new work as an actor. For example,
Carlton's character can't dance, but I can. I've been dancing since I was a kid.
I don't think I'm anything like Carlton Banks."
In 2002 he returned to his New York roots to perform in the New York musical,
'Golden Boy.'
Then in 2003, he starred in a McDonald's commercial for McGriddle
breakfast sandwiches.
Even though he is still acting, most recently in 'Lovewrecked', a made for TV
movie, directing is clearly what Alfonso wants to do.
"People don't realize, I directed on 'In the House' and 'Fresh Prince.' I truly
enjoy directing. I attended New York's film school... I enjoy looking at the
words on the paper and visualizing how to make them come to life. As a director
you have the entire image in mind and bring it to life. The creative process is
really amazing."