How a Tube Driver Traveled the World as Will Smith's Double
From London Tube Driver to Will Smith's Double
Shad Ellis, a London tube driver, found himself in an unexpected journey when he stumbled upon a striking resemblance to one of the world's most recognizable faces: Will Smith.
It all began in 1997 when Ellis, then a station assistant in east London, noticed the Men in Black posters plastered across the tube network. Commuters couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarity between the Hollywood star on the walls and the man behind the barrier.
Ellis, who had been a Will Smith lookalike since he was 18, was approached by a stranger with a life-changing tip. The stranger suggested that Ellis could make money as a lookalike, and Ellis, intrigued, took the advice. He sent photos of himself recreating Will's magazine poses to an agency, and soon after, he landed his first job as the front cover of an electrical magazine.
As social media and selfie sticks weren't around yet, Ellis had to take photos with a film camera, carefully recreating Will's poses. His unique talent grew, and he started meeting people, networking, and landing more jobs. He performed tribute artist slots at clubs, corporate events, and even global marketing campaigns that took him to places like Dubai and Singapore.
However, Ellis was protective of Will Smith's brand and turned down many offers that didn't align with his values. He refused to be 'the guy that's been cashing in' after the actor's infamous slap at the 2022 Oscars. Instead, Ellis focused on his day job as a tube driver, even during his glamorous brush with fame.
In 2022, Ellis's life took an even more extraordinary turn when he was hired as a body double for the National Geographic series Pole To Pole, where Will Smith journeys across seven continents in 100 days. Ellis was flown to various locations, including Botswana, Norway, and Papua New Guinea, to prepare shots and lighting before Smith's arrival.
During the filming, Ellis and Will Smith crossed paths, and the lookalike was embraced with a handshake and a shoulder bump. Smith described Ellis's work as 'genius' and appreciated the tribute artist's efforts. The two even took a walk along a remote beach in Papua New Guinea, where Ellis expressed his gratitude for Smith's influence on his life.
Despite his fame, Ellis hasn't given up his day job as a tube driver. He finds comfort in the thought that he could be driving a train instead of being a body double. Ellis is open to future collaborations with Will Smith and the production teams he met during the Pole To Pole series, and he continues to embrace his unique talent as a tribute artist.
