On what date did The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiere on NBC?

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on NBC on September 10, 1990.

The sitcom introduced Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself: a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia sent to live with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air, Los Angeles. The fish-out-of-water premise combined family comedy, music, class differences, and cultural tensions.

The premiere episode, “The Fresh Prince Project,” established the Banks family and the show’s central conflict between Will’s relaxed Philadelphia style and his relatives’ affluent California lifestyle. It was written by series creators Andy and Susan Borowitz and directed by Debbie Allen.

A common mix-up is confusing the premiere date with the series finale, which aired on May 20, 1996. The series ultimately ran for six seasons and produced 148 episodes, becoming a major NBC hit and launching Smith’s television and film career.