Will Smith vs. a Giant Snake on Jimmy Fallon—The Struggle Is Real!
Will Smith recently stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to talk about his new National Geographic series, Pole to Pole with Will Smith, which is streaming now on Disney+. The show follows him traveling to extreme locations around the world, but it wasn’t the cold or wild animals in the field that got everyone talking, it was a surprise snake in the studio.
During the interview, Smith shared some of the wild experiences from filming. He talked about traveling to the Amazon and working with researchers. He even had to “milk” a tarantula for its venom, something he joked neither he nor the spider enjoyed. Then Fallon asked about a massive anaconda, and that’s when the real stunt started.
Fallon challenged Smith to hold a boa constrictor live on set. When Smith tried to answer hypothetically, Fallon quickly said, “We don’t live in hypotheticals; we live in reality.” Moments later, a large snake was brought in, and a thirty-second timer started.
Smith struggled to stay calm as the snake wrapped around his shoulders. “It’s moving…” he said, asking the audience to cheer quietly so the animal wouldn’t get spooked. He admitted he could feel the snake tightening its grip, but he powered through the countdown. When the timer hit zero, the audience clapped loudly, and Smith let out a relieved sigh. “The snake clearly didn’t like my shirt,” he joked to lighten the mood.
Jimmy challenges Will Smith to hold a boa constrictor for 30 seconds to overcome his fear of snakes 😳 #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/nwVvec1Dme
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) January 21, 2026
Beyond the snake, Smith shared more about his adventures for the series. He described surviving temperatures as low as minus thirty-seven degrees at the South Pole and a terrifying ice dive at the North Pole where he hit his head on the ice and had to find the surface by following a safety line.
Smith is also busy with major projects in 2026. He’s moving forward with I Am Legend 2, which will feature Michael B. Jordan and follow an alternate ending to the original film. He’s also starring in the thriller Fast & Loose as a crime boss with amnesia.
In his personal life, Smith recently appeared at Paris Fashion Week with Jada Pinkett Smith to support their son Jaden’s new creative project. Between his global adventures, film work, and family moments, Smith continues to be one of the most talked-about names in entertainment. His Tonight Show appearance proved that no matter how far he travels, some of the biggest surprises happen right on set.
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