### Will Smith Honors Quincy Jones as 'Father' in Emotional Tribute

Will Smith has paid a moving tribute to his longtime mentor Quincy Jones, who recently passed away at the age of 91. The acclaimed actor and musician shared an emotional post on Instagram, reflecting on the profound impact Jones had on his life and career.

The 56-year-old actor shared an old black and white photo of himself with Quincy Jones on the set of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," the show that launched Smith into stardom. In his heartfelt caption, Smith referred to Jones as a "Mentor, a Father and a Friend," crediting the legendary producer with helping him discover the best parts of himself.

"He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me," Smith wrote. "He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly." This powerful tribute encapsulated how deeply Smith felt about Jones, who played a crucial role in shaping his career.

Jones was instrumental in arranging Smith's audition for "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in 1989, a moment that changed Smith’s life forever. Since then, the two had maintained a close relationship for over 35 years. Smith's Instagram post has garnered nearly 350,000 likes and generated an outpouring of condolences and memories from fans.

Fans reminisced on Jones' remarkable influence, with one follower commenting, "The vision Quincy Jones had to cast you... jumpstarted one of the biggest careers in Hollywood." Even rapper Ludacris joined in by paying his respects with crown and king emojis.

Quincy Jones, known for his work with musical icons such as Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and Ray Charles, passed away on November 4, surrounded by his family. His death was confirmed by his publicist early on Sunday.