Will Smith tells ‘60 Minutes’ of Philly days

Will Smith, one of Philadelphia's most famous sons, talked about his sudden success while at Overbrook High on

60 Minutes

last night.

"You don't want to have a hit record on the radio when you're in high school," he said.

It seemed so easy - until the IRS came knocking, asking for millions.

"So, you went through five, six million dollars?" interviewer Steve Kroft asked.

"Probably, yeah," said Smith.

Smith told how he was soon starring on TV in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Then a film role as a gay hustler led to blockbuster success in Independence Day.

(Who can forget his dragging some alien creep and yelling, "Who da man?")

His next star turn will be in I Am Legend, an apocalyptic sci-fi thriller scheduled for release Dec. 14.

The key to his success, he told Kroft, has been plain old hard work.

"I've never really viewed myself as particularly talented. I've viewed myself as slightly above average in talent. And where I excel is ridiculous, sickening, work ethic. . . ."

"While the other guy's making love, I mean, I'm making love, too. But I'm working really hard at it," he said, laughing.

To watch the interview or to read a transcript of it, go to http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml.