Will Smith Receives a Loan From a Drug Dealer

Will Smith is revealing he was able to launch his career despite going broke for failing to pay his taxes, with the help of a loan from a drug dealer.

According to Yahoo, the star shared the details with Idris Elba during a promotion for his new autobiography “Will” at the Savoy Theatre in London. Smith said after getting into financial troubles in the early 90s, he asked a friend, who he described as “purveyor of neighborhood pharmaceuticals,” for the loan, and then promptly sold everything to move to Los Angeles.

His lead role on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” saved him from having to file bankruptcy, and, according to Smith’s biography, 70-percent of his pay during the first three seasons of the show went back to the IRS.

Source: Yahoo

Gallery: Will Smith

• Environmental Media Association Hosts Its 26th Annual EMA Awards Presented By Toyota, Lexus And Calvert – Red Carpet

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  BURBANK, CA - OCTOBER 22: Actors Jada Pinkett Smith (L) and Will Smith attend the Environmental Media Association 26th Annual EMA Awards Presented By Toyota, Lexus And Calvert at Warner Bros. Studios on October 22, 2016 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association)

• Nickelodeon’s 2019 Kids’ Choice Awards – Red Carpet

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 23: Will Smith attends Nickelodeon's 2019 Kids' Choice Awards at Galen Center on March 23, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

• World Premiere of Disney’s “Aladdin” In Hollywood

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  LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 21: Will Smith attends the World Premiere of Disney’s "Aladdin" at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood CA on May 21, 2019, in the culmination of the film’s Magic Carpet World Tour with stops in Paris, London, Berlin, Tokyo, Mexico City and Amman, Jordan. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
• Will Smith Attends “Seven Pounds” Madrid Photocall

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  MADRID, SPAIN - JANUARY 13: Actor Will Smith attends "Seven Pounds" photocall at Teatro Real on January 13, 2009 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

• Environmental Media Association Hosts Its 26th Annual EMA Awards Presented By Toyota, Lexus And Calvert – Red Carpet

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  BURBANK, CA - OCTOBER 22: (L-R) Actor Trey Smith, singer Willow Smith and actors Jaden Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attend the Environmental Media Association 26th Annual EMA Awards Presented By Toyota, Lexus And Calvert at Warner Bros. Studios on October 22, 2016 in Burbank, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Environmental Media Association )

• Premiere Of Disney’s “Aladdin” – Red Carpet

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  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 21: Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attends the premiere of Disney's "Aladdin" at El Capitan Theatre on May 21, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
• 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards – Arrivals

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  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 10: Actors Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith attend the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

• AFI FEST 2015 Presented By Audi Centerpiece Gala Premiere Of Columbia Pictures’ “Concussion” – Red Carpet

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  HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 10: Actor Will Smith attends the Centerpiece Gala Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Concussion" during AFI FEST 2015 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 10, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AFI)

• Premiere Of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Focus” – Arrivals

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  HOLLYWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Actor Will Smith attends the Warner Bros. Pictures' "Focus" premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre on February 24, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
• I Am Legend – Photocall

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  ROME - JANUARY 09: Actor Will Smith attends the 'I Am Legend' photocall at the Hassler Hotel on January 9, 2008 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Elisabetta Villa/Getty Images)