‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ child actor Floyd Roger Myers Jr. dies at 42
Floyd Roger Myers Jr., who portrayed a young Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has passed away from a heart attack at his Maryland home
Floyd Roger Myers Jr. is best known for portraying a young Will Smith in the hit 1992 episode “Will Gets Committed” from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He has passed away at just 42 years old. According to family reports, Myers suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on October 29, 2025.
His mother, Renee Trice, confirmed the heartbreaking news to multiple outlets. Thus, revealing that her son had endured three prior heart attacks in the past three years. “He had been doing better,” she said in one interview. Thus, noting she spoke with him the night before his passing. His sudden death came as a devastating blow to family, friends, and the small but passionate community who remembered his presence on one of television’s most beloved sitcoms.
Through the repeated airings of the show, his youthful appearance is unforgettable.
Early Fame on ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’
Myers first appeared on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1992, during the show’s third season. There, he was playing a young Will Smith in a flashback scene that revealed Will’s early life in West Philadelphia. The performance, though brief, left an impression on audiences. They connected with the show’s mix of comedy, heart, and family lessons.
That episode—“Will Gets Committed”—has long been praised as one of the show’s most nostalgic moments. Therefore, helping deepen the backstory of the character who made Will Smith a global star. Myers’ natural charm and authenticity in that childhood portrayal gave fans a glimpse of the vulnerability behind the laughter, making it one of his most memorable roles.
The same year, Myers appeared in another high-profile project, The Jacksons: An American Dream, where he played a young Marlon Jackson in the acclaimed ABC miniseries chronicling the Jackson family’s rise to fame. He later made a brief appearance in the 2000 drama Young Americans before stepping away from Hollywood.
Life After Acting: Building Community and Business
After leaving the entertainment industry, Floyd Roger Myers Jr. turned his focus to entrepreneurship and community outreach. He became the CEO and co-owner of Dr. Duct LLC, an air duct and dryer vent cleaning business based in Maryland, which he operated with his wife, Krista Myers.
Friends and clients consistently described him as professional, warm, and trustworthy. His company earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, with dozens of testimonials highlighting his personal touch and commitment to quality.
But beyond his business success, Myers devoted much of his time to Fellaship Men’s Group, a nonprofit organization he co-founded to support men’s mental and emotional health. The group’s mission was to create judgment-free spaces where men could discuss life’s challenges, build brotherhood, and strengthen community ties.
Through social media, Myers often promoted upcoming Fellaship meetings, encouraging followers with messages about resilience, faith, and self-worth. His Instagram, @rocwonder, served as both a motivational hub and a reflection of his deep love for family.
A Devoted Father and Community Mentor
Those closest to Myers describe him as a devoted family man, proud of his four children and his strong Maryland roots. He often shared family photos online, writing captions like, “Family Over Everything — MyersGang forever.”
His obituary paints a portrait of a man whose legacy stretched far beyond the screen. It describes him as “a mentor, a brother, and a friend who instilled confidence, hope, and purpose in everyone he met.” Former classmates from Suitland High School’s Class of 2001 recalled his infectious laugh and larger-than-life personality, calling him “a spark of energy in every room.”
Myers’ mother emphasized that while his acting career was brief, his greatest impact came later in life — not through fame, but through kindness. “He touched people wherever he went,” she said. “That’s who he really was.”
Tributes Pour In Across Social Media
As news of his passing spread on October 29 and 30, tributes flooded X (formerly Twitter), where the post by @DailyLoud quickly surpassed 15,000 views within hours. Fans who grew up watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air expressed sorrow and nostalgia in equal measure, many remembering the innocence of his flashback scene and the warmth it brought to the series.
“Rest in peace to the young man who played Will as a kid — 42 is way too young,” one user wrote, while another added, “He’ll always be a part of our childhood memories.” Others noted his later efforts to support mental health, praising him as a “quiet hero” for his community.
Major outlets like TMZ and Daily Mail amplified the news, generating widespread mourning across fan networks and nostalgic TV communities. Instagram and Facebook tributes followed from local Maryland businesses, former classmates, and fellow community leaders.
Remembering His Legacy
Though Floyd Roger Myers Jr. left the entertainment world decades ago, his role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air remains an unforgettable thread in the fabric of 1990s television. For a generation that grew up with the show’s mix of humor and heart, his contribution — however small — helped humanize one of pop culture’s most iconic characters.
But Myers’ greatest legacy lies beyond Hollywood. Through his business, mentorship, and community involvement, he embodied resilience and compassion. In an age when fame often defines worth, Myers quietly redefined success as service — to family, to community, and to purpose.
As one online tribute summed it up perfectly: “He may have played young Will Smith, but in real life, he became everything that character aspired to be — driven, caring, and full of love.”
Conclusion
Floyd Roger Myers Jr.’s passing is a solemn reminder of how fleeting life can be, even for those who once lit up the screen with joy and promise. While his time in the spotlight was brief, his influence stretched far beyond Hollywood. For millions of viewers, his appearance as young Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air captured an innocence and optimism that mirrored the best of 1990s television — a moment that continues to live on in reruns, streaming playlists, and fan memories more than three decades later.
In Maryland, he became a different kind of star. Through his company, Dr. Duct LLC, and his nonprofit work with the Fellaship Men’s Group, Myers channeled that same charisma into service. He built not only a business but a sense of community — one rooted in brotherhood, faith, and love. Friends say that even when facing his own health battles, he was the first to call, to encourage, or to show up. That quiet consistency defined the man far more than the fame he left behind.
For those who knew him, Floyd’s life stands as proof that success isn’t measured by celebrity but by the lives we touch. His children, family, and the men he mentored carry his lessons forward: to lead with compassion, to live with integrity, and to keep showing up for others.