Will Smith's mother in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is named Viola Smith.
Viola appears in the show's premise and in the pilot episode, “The Fresh Prince Project.” After Will gets into trouble in West Philadelphia, his mother sends him to live with his wealthy aunt Vivian and uncle Philip Banks in Bel-Air. The character is played by Vernee Watson-Johnson in the series, although a different unidentified actress appears as Will's mother in the opening-title sequence.
The name is often shortened to “Vy,” which can make the answer seem less obvious. Viola is also distinct from Vivian Banks, Will's aunt, and from Hattie Banks, Carlton's grandmother. The series presents Will as a fictionalized version of actor and rapper Will Smith, but Viola Smith is the character's mother within the sitcom's story.