What actor played Alex "Hitch" Hitchens in "Hitch"?

Will Smith played Alex “Hitch” Hitchens in the film “Hitch.”

Released in 2005, “Hitch” is a romantic comedy directed by Andy Tennant. Smith plays a professional “date doctor” who coaches men on how to pursue relationships, while secretly struggling with his own romance.

The character’s full name is Alex Hitchens, but he is widely known as “Hitch.” His unusual career gives the film its central premise: he can help clients make convincing romantic gestures, yet his carefully developed techniques fail when he falls for Sara Melas, played by Eva Mendes.

“Hitch” also stars Kevin James as Albert Brennaman and Amber Valletta as Allegra Cole. The movie became a major commercial success, earning more than $370 million worldwide. A common mix-up is confusing Smith’s role with Kevin James’s character, Albert, the awkward client Hitch coaches.