Alfonso Ribeiro says playing Carlton in Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air 'ended his career'

“It’s not unusual to be loved by anyone, It’s not unusual to have fun with anyone…” I bet there’s just two people that could come to your mind when you hear those lyrics.

And if it wasn’t music star Tom Jones, then it has to be Carlton Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, obviously.

The classic dance move pulled out by the cousin was an absolute staple of the 90’s TV show, with actor Alfonso Ribeiro becoming well-loved for it.

However, the 52-year-old now says playing Carlton ‘ended his career’ in the industry.

Ribeiro appeared in the popular sitcom from 1990 until 1996, of course alongside Will Smith. But nearly two decades on since Fresh Prince ended, he spoke to Closer Weekly about what seems to be the consequences of the job.

Ribeiro said: “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.”

Reflecting on his entire career and everything that came after the end of the show, the actor spoke about the good and the bad as the world copied the Carlton Dance.

Ribeiro played Carlton on the hit show. (NBC)

“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,” he explained.

“The sacrifice was not having an acting career anymore.”

While Ribeiro hasn’t had a major acting role (or a career line like co-star Smith’s) in the last decade, he certainly hasn’t been away from our screens.

Back in 2013, he appeared on UK telly as he entered the jungle for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! He’s also appeared as both a contestant and then host on the US’ Dancing with the Stars as well as filling in as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

He is still regularly on our screens. (Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images)

Ribeiro has had a list of hosting gigs, advert work and also appeared in a TV special of Muppets Haunted Mansion back in 2021. The star has also done some directing with kids’ shows K.C. Undercover, Shake It Up and True Jackson, VP.

And while he says Fresh Prince was a ‘sacrifice’, the star admitted he doesn’t regret signing up to the NBC sitcom and that he loved spending time with his co-stars.

“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 build-up to get ready for the show,” he added. “Those are some great memories of just being together.”

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