Carlton Banks is Will’s cousin in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and is known for his preppy style, conservative outlook, and distinctive dance to Tom Jones’s “It’s Not Unusual.” Carlton is the son of Philip and Vivian Banks and initially clashes with Will because their personalities and backgrounds are very different.
The character begins as an academically focused, status-conscious teenager who expects to follow a conventional path. His rivalry with Will supplies much of the show’s comedy, but the two cousins repeatedly demonstrate loyalty when serious problems arise. Their relationship becomes one of the sitcom’s central long-term bonds.
Carlton was played by Alfonso Ribeiro. The character’s nickname and mannerisms became strongly associated with the series, although Carlton is more than a comic stereotype. Storylines involving college, discrimination, friendship, and substance abuse also show his vulnerability and development.