Alfonso Ribeiro Reflects on His Role as Carlton Banks on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Alfonso Ribeiro, best known for his role as Carlton Banks on the hit sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has recently opened up about how playing the iconic character ultimately hindered his acting career. In a candid interview with Closer Weekly, Ribeiro revealed that portraying Carlton was both a blessing and a curse.

“Playing Carlton on ‘Fresh Prince’ became a sacrifice,” Ribeiro shared. “I used to always say doing Carlton was the greatest and worst thing that ever happened to me.” Despite winning over fans with his standout performances and memorable moments on the show, Ribeiro admitted that the role limited his ability to branch out and explore other acting opportunities.

Ribeiro expressed his frustration at being typecast as Carlton, stating that people couldn’t see him as anything else. This led to a decline in acting offers and ultimately halted his career in the industry. However, Ribeiro has found success as the host of Dancing with the Stars, where he continues to entertain audiences in a different capacity.

While Alfonso Ribeiro will always be remembered for his portrayal of Carlton Banks, he hopes to break free from the constraints of the character and showcase his versatility as an actor. Despite the challenges he has faced, Ribeiro remains grateful for the opportunities that Fresh Prince of Bel-Air provided him and continues to find joy in front of the camera.