Alfonso Ribeiro Reflects on Iconic Role as Carlton Banks: “A Blessing and a Curse”

The Fresh Prince Star Opens Up About Career Challenges and Joys

###

####

In a recent interview with Closer Weekly, Alfonso Ribeiro opened up about the dual-edged impact of his iconic role as Carlton Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” While grateful for the opportunity, Ribeiro candidly described the role as both a career highlight and an obstacle.

“Playing Carlton on ‘Fresh Prince’ became a sacrifice. I used to always say doing Carlton was the greatest and worst thing that ever happened to me,” Ribeiro shared. “It was one of the greatest roles that I ever was fortunate enough to play. But it was also the role that stopped me from acting again because people couldn’t see me as anything else. The sacrifice was not having an acting career anymore.”

Despite the challenges, Ribeiro cherishes his memories from the set. “It was about the cast and spending time with them. Before every show, we would go into Will Smith’s dressing room, and we’d play music and dance and just have a great energy buildup to get ready for the show. Those are some great memories of just being together,” he fondly recalled.

Now 52, Ribeiro has found new success and satisfaction in his career. He currently co-hosts “Dancing with the Stars” with Julianne Hough, a role he stepped into after winning the show’s 19th season in 2014.

“I’m enjoying being a host and am very happy with it. But, yes, I would go back to acting if it was exactly the right thing,” he revealed.

Ribeiro also hosts “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild,” both on ABC. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “My happiest moments, career-wise, are winning ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and now becoming host of ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ And after winning ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ I got the opportunity to do the show that I always wanted to do – ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos.’”

Despite the challenges, Ribeiro cherishes his memories from the set. “It was about the cast and spending time with them. Before every show, we would go into Will Smith’s dressing room, and we’d play music and dance and just have a great energy buildup to get ready for the show. Those are some great memories of just being together,” he fondly recalled.

Now 52, Ribeiro has found new success and satisfaction in his career. He currently co-hosts “Dancing with the Stars” with Julianne Hough, a role he stepped into after winning the show’s 19th season in 2014.

“I’m enjoying being a host and am very happy with it. But, yes, I would go back to acting if it was exactly the right thing,” he revealed.