Who played the recurring character Jazz on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?

Who played the recurring character Jazz on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? DJ Jazzy Jeff played Jazz, Will Smith's best friend on the sitcom. DJ Jazzy Jeff is the stage name of Jeffrey Allen Townes, an acclaimed Philadelphia DJ, producer, and actor.

The casting connected the show's fictional world to Smith's real musical career. Before and during the sitcom, Townes and Smith performed together as the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Their partnership produced hits including “Parents Just Don't Understand,” and their music helped establish Smith's public identity before his television career expanded.

Jazz was initially a recurring character and became one of the show's most memorable visitors. His signature handshake with Will and the running gag of Uncle Phil repeatedly throwing him out of the Banks mansion became hallmarks of the series. The character is also written as having an unrequited crush on Hilary Banks. A common mix-up is to answer Will Smith, because Smith played the lead character and used “the Fresh Prince” as his rap name; however, Jazz was played by his real-life musical partner, DJ Jazzy Jeff.