Stockard Channing, 80, reveals she felt 'very motherly' towards Will Smith, 55, while they were filming the 1993 film Six Degrees of Separation

  • Smith, 55, was just 23, newly married to Sheree Zampino and just welcomed their son Trey when he started filming Six Degrees of Separation in 1992
  • The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' and he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard' 
  • During a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 80-year-old Channing admitted they had, 'instant chemistry' but only had 'motherly' feelings for him 

By Brian Gallagher For Dailymail.com

Published: | Updated:

More than two years after Will Smith admitted he 'fell in love' with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the set, the actress is speaking out.

Smith, 55, was just 23, newly married to Sheree Zampino and just welcomed their son Trey when he started filming Six Degrees of Separation in February 1992. 

The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' on set, and added he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.'

During a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 80-year-old Channing admitted they had, 'instant chemistry' but only had 'motherly' feelings for him.

'He made a lot (of money) from his music, or even (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). Because I remember we talked about it,' though she said, 'there was no big shot stuff at all.'

More than two years after Will Smith admitted he 'fell in love' with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the set, the actress is speaking out.

More than two years after Will Smith admitted he 'fell in love' with his Six Degrees of Separation co-star Stockard Channing on the set, the actress is speaking out.

The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' on set, and added he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard'

The actor admitted in his 2021 memoir that he, 'fell in love with Stockard Channing' on set, and added he was, 'desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard'

'He had a real survival instinct in him, which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him,' she said.

The film was inspired by the true story of a con artist named David Hampton, who convinced an affluent couple that he was the son of Sidney Poitier.

Smith plays the con man Paul, with Channing and Donald Sutherland playing Paul's married targets, with Channing originating the role in John Guare's Pulitzer and Tony nominated play.

Channing revealed Smith and the film's director Fred Schepisi flew out to London to see the actress perform, and they formed an instant chemistry.

'We went out to dinner afterwards. And that was it. It was just natural and easygoing,' Channing said.

While Smith admitted to falling for Channing romantically, she didn't reciprocate those romantic feelings.

'There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,' Channing said.

Smith said in his book, ''Sheree and I were in the first few months of our marriage with a brand-new baby and for Sheree, I can imagine that this experience was unsettling to say the least.'

The film was inspired by the true story of a con artist named David Hampton, who convinced an affluent couple that he was the son of Sidney Poitier.

The film was inspired by the true story of a con artist named David Hampton, who convinced an affluent couple that he was the son of Sidney Poitier. 

'He had a real survival instinct in him, which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him,' she said

'He had a real survival instinct in him, which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him,' she said

Smith plays the con man Paul, with Channing and Donald Sutherland playing Paul's married targets, with Channing originating the role in John Guare's Pulitzer and Tony nominated play

Smith plays the con man Paul, with Channing and Donald Sutherland playing Paul's married targets, with Channing originating the role in John Guare's Pulitzer and Tony nominated play

'There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,' Channing said

'There was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,' Channing said

Channing ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for Six Degrees of Separation and she's coming off roles in Julia and Maryland, while also starring in the upcoming Knuckles series

Channing ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for Six Degrees of Separation and she's coming off roles in Julia and Maryland, while also starring in the upcoming Knuckles series

'She'd married a guy named Will Smith and now she was living with a guy named Paul Poitier,' he admitted, referencing his Six Degrees of Separation character.

'And to make matters worse, during shooting I fell in love with Stockard Channing,' he admitted.

Smith ended up divorcing Zampino in 1995, the same year his breakthrough hit Bad Boys hit theaters, which, along with 1996's Independence Day, catapulted him to superstardom. 

Channing ultimately earned an Oscar nomination for Six Degrees of Separation and she's coming off roles in Julia and Maryland, while also starring in the upcoming Knuckles series. 

Sheree Zampino