So while perusing an LA Times Oscar 2008 photo gallery, I came upon a very disturbing fact. No, Paris Hilton isn’t vying for an Oscar, it’s much worse.

On September 25, 2008, the lovable Will Smith will turn 40.

Why is this disturbing?

Basically, as I near 30-years-old, I realize that I’ve watched pretty much the entire career of Will Smith. I’ve grown up with him, and him with me.

In 1987, when I was just 8-years-old and Smith was in his late teens, he and his partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were releasing their first album ‘Rock the House’.

I only vaguely remember this album, but I do remember listening to the hit single, ‘Girls Ain’t Nothing but Trouble’. It was a fun, party-pop, rap tune that set itself apart from the music of some raps more hardcore offerings of the time.

This lead to Will’s most popular album, ‘He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper’, which included the single ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’. That song won a Will a Grammy and sent his career skyrocketing.

Not long after that, in 1990, Will starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. For some reason I loved the fish-out-of-water story from the first time I heard the catchy opening theme (which everyone of a certain age is guilty of singing with a group of friends on a road trip or house party at one time or another) to the final episode in 1996.

Since then Will’s career has continued to soar with both dramatic and comedic roles, Oscar nominations and consistent praise by the celebrity press. Sure a few movies have been less than stellar (I, Robot, Wild Wild West), Will, however, is always enjoyable. I have to admit, almost everything the guy does I like. You can always count on Will Smith to make you smile. He seems like the friend all of us want to have.

Him turning 40 years old, after watching his entire and ongoing career, makes me reflect a bit on my own life and accomplishments. It’s not that I’m saddened or disappointed in where I am by any means, rather, it’s that I’ve been able to watch someone else work, fight and be successful.

For some reason, it’s like getting to watch a friend do well. As I’ve grown up, he’s grown up. Because the man works so damn much you get to actually watch him grow up throughout his music, TV and movie roles.

There are very few people, or celebrities rather, that I can say whose careers have been so enjoyable to watch. From Will’s first forays into music to his recent turn as a scientist alone in NYC, it’s been an amazing thing to see.

So all of that was a long, rambling, round about way of saying — I’m getting old(er).

Crap.