‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ child actor Floyd Roger Myers Jr. dies at 42; family says cause was a heart attack

Floyd Roger Myers Jr., best known for portraying a young Will Smith in a 1992 episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has died at age 42. His mother, Renee Trice, said he suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Maryland in the early hours of October 29, 2025. She added that he had endured three previous heart attacks over the last three years. Tributes from friends, former colleagues, and fans quickly followed, spotlighting both his early screen work and his later community leadership.

Floyd Roger Myers Jr.: early roles and lasting impact

Myers’ most widely remembered appearance came in Season 3 of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (“Will Gets Committed”), where he played Young Will, a flashback version of the show’s lead. That same year, he appeared as young Marlon Jackson in the Emmy-nominated miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream, a breakout ensemble for several rising child actors of the era. He would go on to add credits in the late 1990s and early 2000s before shifting his focus to family and community work.

Friends say the early experience on a top-rated sitcom gave Myers a lifelong appreciation for storytelling, mentorship, and the discipline of professional sets—traits he later channeled into youth engagement and men’s support initiatives.

Community work, family, and advocacy

Beyond entertainment, Myers co-founded The Fellaship Men’s Group, an organization aimed at helping men build healthier lives through accountability, service, and open conversation about mental health. Those who worked with him describe a steady presence who showed up consistently, emphasized fatherhood, and turned lived experience into practical support for others.

Myers was a devoted father to four children—Taelyn, Kinsley, Tyler, and Knox—and maintained close ties with his extended family. Loved ones have organized efforts to assist with memorial expenses and to support his children in the months ahead.

Health history and what we know about his passing

• Date and place of death: October 29, 2025, at home in Maryland.

• Cause: Cardiac arrest related to a heart attack, his fourth in roughly three years, per his mother.

• Age: 42.

• Memorial plans: A funeral service is scheduled for Monday, November 3, 2025; details may evolve as the family finalizes arrangements.

Relatives emphasized Myers’ optimism despite prior cardiac events, noting he had been focused on family responsibilities and community projects.

‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ legacy and fan response

The role of Young Will occupies a small but memorable corner of Fresh Prince lore—one of several flashback beats that deepened the show’s backstory during its run. As news of Myers’ death spread, fans resurfaced clips and stills from the episode, honoring a performance that, while brief, connected to a defining piece of 1990s television. Cast alumni and crew members who remembered the shoot described him as polite, prepared, and quick to make others laugh between takes.

Name confusion: not the same as “Roger Myers Jr.”

Given the search traffic around his name, it’s worth clarifying: Floyd Roger Myers Jr. is not related to the animated character Roger Myers Jr. from The Simpsons. The similarity has triggered some misdirected searches; all current tributes and memorial information refer to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air child actor.

Career highlights at a glance

• 1992: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — portrayed Young Will in “Will Gets Committed.”

• 1992: The Jacksons: An American Dream — portrayed young Marlon Jackson.

• 2000: Young Americans — additional on-screen credit.

• 2020s: Community leadership through The Fellaship Men’s Group and local outreach.

How friends and fans are remembering Floyd Roger Myers Jr.

Remembrances describe a warm, generous person who prized fatherhood and service. Many posts recall his ability to lift a room’s mood, his willingness to volunteer for community events, and his habit of checking in on friends privately—especially those facing mental-health or family challenges. For those who knew him only from a minute of screen time decades ago, that single appearance still carries nostalgia; for those who knew him well, it is the least important part of a much fuller story.

Floyd Roger Myers Jr.’s life touched popular culture in a flash of 1990s TV history and touched his community through steady, everyday work that rarely makes headlines. As his family prepares to lay him to rest on November 3, they’re asking people to remember the father, son, friend, and mentor who stood behind the credits—someone who used the attention of a childhood role to give attention to others when it mattered most.