Actor and adventurer Will Smith may be best known for his blockbuster movie roles, but he's also made a splash in the scientific community. In 2024, Smith joined National Geographic on their documentary series "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" where he traveled across the globe, from the Amazon rainforest to the South Pole and beyond.
One of the most exciting moments of his journey was when he helped discover a new species of giant anaconda in South America. Alongside venom expert Bryan Fry, Smith joined an expedition that documented the discovery and collected samples for further analysis.
The discovery was announced to be a new species of green anaconda, which scientists have dubbed "the great snake" (Eunectes akayama). This species is genetically distinct from its southern counterpart and is thought to have diverged around 10 million years ago. The northern green anaconda's territory includes countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, French Guyana, and the northern part of Brazil.
Smith's encounter with the massive snake was quite an experience for the actor, who had never been on a wildlife expedition before. Alongside local Waorani guides, Smith carefully secured the giant snake to allow scientists to collect scale samples that would help them understand the impact of pollutants in the water.
The discovery not only provided valuable insights into the Amazon's ecosystem but also shed new light on the region's biodiversity. The documentary series "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" offers a thrilling journey through the world's most remote and inhospitable regions, showcasing some of the most breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife on the planet.
Smith's adventures didn't stop there; he went on to explore the South Pole, trek across the Himalayas, record a lost native language in the Pacific Islands, join the hunter-gatherer San people on a hunt in the Kalahari desert, and even dive under the ice at the North Pole to collect scientific samples. The entire journey is captured in breathtaking detail through stunning footage and personal reflections from Smith himself.
"Pole to Pole with Will Smith" premieres on January 13, 2026, on Disney+, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the world of exploration and discovery.
One of the most exciting moments of his journey was when he helped discover a new species of giant anaconda in South America. Alongside venom expert Bryan Fry, Smith joined an expedition that documented the discovery and collected samples for further analysis.
The discovery was announced to be a new species of green anaconda, which scientists have dubbed "the great snake" (Eunectes akayama). This species is genetically distinct from its southern counterpart and is thought to have diverged around 10 million years ago. The northern green anaconda's territory includes countries such as Venezuela, Colombia, Suriname, French Guyana, and the northern part of Brazil.
Smith's encounter with the massive snake was quite an experience for the actor, who had never been on a wildlife expedition before. Alongside local Waorani guides, Smith carefully secured the giant snake to allow scientists to collect scale samples that would help them understand the impact of pollutants in the water.
The discovery not only provided valuable insights into the Amazon's ecosystem but also shed new light on the region's biodiversity. The documentary series "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" offers a thrilling journey through the world's most remote and inhospitable regions, showcasing some of the most breathtaking landscapes and incredible wildlife on the planet.
Smith's adventures didn't stop there; he went on to explore the South Pole, trek across the Himalayas, record a lost native language in the Pacific Islands, join the hunter-gatherer San people on a hunt in the Kalahari desert, and even dive under the ice at the North Pole to collect scientific samples. The entire journey is captured in breathtaking detail through stunning footage and personal reflections from Smith himself.
"Pole to Pole with Will Smith" premieres on January 13, 2026, on Disney+, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the world of exploration and discovery.
! he's not just an actor, but also an adventurer at heart, you know? the fact that he joined forces with scientists to discover a new species of anaconda is literally mind-blowing 
! who would've thought that wils smith would be trekking through the amazon and south pole, collecting scale samples and learning about the impact of pollution on wildlife? i love how he's pushing boundaries and exploring new worlds. and it's not just the anaconda discovery, but his whole journey across the globe has been an incredible feat of bravery and determination 
! can't wait for him to premiere this documentary series on disney+ in january 
I'm literally SO stoked about this new docu series "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" 
! I mean, who wouldn't want to watch an actor like Will Smith go on these EPIC adventures? 
He's not just a movie star, but also a real-life explorer and scientist! 
I love how he got involved in discovering a new species of anaconda - that's so cool! 
And can we talk about the South Pole? 
That's like, the ultimate adventure goal for me! 
I'm so stoked about Will Smith's documentary journey! He's like a Renaissance man - acting, adventuring, and now science 
. The fact that he helped discover a new species of giant anaconda is mind-blowing 
! The visuals from this doc series are gonna be insane 
can't wait for it to premiere on Disney+ in Jan 2026 
It's not just about exploring the world's most remote places, but also about understanding and preserving our planet's incredible biodiversity 
And btw, I need to get my hands on that documentary ASAP. Did you guys catch any of his other adventures? He went trekking in the Himalayas?!?! 
like that crazy green anaconda "the great snake" Eunectes akayama ! 10 million yrs old & all its own thing 
. He's not just an actor, he's a true adventurer 
? The fact that he helped discover a new species of anaconda is straight fire 
It's like something out of a National Geographic magazine. I'm low-key jealous lol, I wish I could've been there too 
. The documentary series looks so epic, I'm definitely adding it to my watchlist ASAP 
. And let's be real, who wouldn't want to join Will Smith on an expedition to explore the world's most remote regions? 
I'm so stoked for "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" to premiere on Disney+ in January – it's going to be a wild ride! 
- can't wait to check out "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" on Disney+!
. Can't wait to watch "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" on Disney+ in 2026! 
. It just goes to show that even famous actors can make a real difference in science and conservation. I'm also really excited to see the rest of his travels - exploring the Himalayas, learning lost languages, and diving under the ice at the North Pole? Whoa! Definitely checking this out on Disney+