Steven Ferdman/Getty; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic Alfonso Ribeiro reflected on the 35th anniversary ofThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwhile speaking exclusively with PEOPLE at the Disney Upfront 2025 event in New York City on May 13 Ribeiro revealed that he and former costar Will Smith still "talk every once in a while" "There's a lot of love and 35 years is pretty special," he says Alfonso Ribeirosays he still keeps in touch with hisFresh Prince of Bel-AircostarWill Smith. Reflecting on the show's upcoming 35th anniversary while walking the red carpet at the Disney Upfront 2025 event in New York City on May 13, Ribeiro, 53, told PEOPLE exclusively that he and Smith, 56, "talk every once in a while." "I talk to everyone when I can," he adds of the cast of the '90s sitcom. "We're all obviously doing many different things, but there's a lot of love and 35 years is pretty special." InFresh Prince, which aired for six seasons from 1990 to 1996, Smith famously played a fictionalized version of himself — a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia whose mother sends him across the country to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in Bel Air, Los Angeles, after a scary confrontation during a street basketball game. Ribeiro starred as Carlton Banks, Will's preppy and politically conservative cousin. Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank In December, Smith revealed on an episode of VICE'sBlack Comedy in Americaseries that hisbond with Ribeirowas one of the "creative relationships I've had that have totally transformed my life." "Where you meet somebody who understands you in a way that other people don't understand you — and they're able to understand you, then craft things for you to create and shine and explode," he explained. "And Alfonso was that guy for sure." The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Smith recalled instantly knowing that Ribeiro was the perfect fit for the character of Carlton and appreciating his willingness to go for it when it comes to comedic scenes. "When he came in for the audition, there was like no question, that's the one," Smith said. "Nobody commits as hard as Alf. We call it the 'comedic limb.' You know where you gon' try this joke and you gon' go out there with it and you gon' risk it all." John Nacion/WireImage Ribeiro reacted to Smith's remarks during a March appearance onThe Jennifer Hudson Showand reflected on their special friendship. "It was wonderful to hear him say that. Will is my brother for life. And obviously our friendship and bond has now withstood the time of four or five decades. He's absolutely the best," Ribeiro told hostJennifer Hudson, noting that he believes the two actors together "created incredible magic that can't be repeated" on the set ofFresh Prince. Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Ribeiro reiterated that it was "wonderful to hear Will give me some of my flowers." "Obviously, I give him flowers all the time. He is just so incredible. He is the most talented guy I know and the most dedicated guy I know. So it's mutual love," he told Hudson, 43. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air— which also starredJames Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten,Karyn ParsonsandTatyana Ali— will mark the 35th anniversary of its premiere on Sept. 10. Read the original article onPeople
