There are many good ways to celebrate getting a year older.

Though, when you actually stop to think about it, birthdays are basically a bit depressing. Aren't we really just celebrating being one year closer to shuffling off this mortal coil for good?

Maybe I'm over-thinking it, maybe I'm not, but personally I've found that, the older I get, the more my birthdays have become sorry, macabre affairs - much like New Year's Eve - during which I ruminate on all the things I meant to do over the year that I have not, in fact, done.

Am I claiming that birthdays are one of the worst days of the year? Yes, I absolutely am, don't @ me.

Having said all of that, though, shouldn't I - shouldn't we all - try to enjoy our birthdays a little more? Looked at another way, your birthday is a decent reminder that you've muddled your way through another year of life; paying taxes, eating, drinking and sleeping. You've functioned for another whole year, congratulations. Here's some cake.

And if you fall into the latter category of those who actively look forward to their own birthday (you knaves, you dogs), then what better possible way is there to celebrate than by jumping out of a helicopter and bungeeing over the Grand Canyon?

According to Will Smith, there is no better way.

That's right, folks, Will Smith - everyone's favourite movie star and all round utter, utter hunk, has celebrated his 50th birthday by leaping out of a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.

Of course, it's a remarkable feat in and of itself, but also: Will Smith is 50?? How, how has this happened. He looks about 20 years younger and is making me feel really quite old.

Taking to his YouTube channel to share the hair-raising experience, Smith dubbed the jump "spectacular", adding that he would "definitely do it again". Rather you than me, Will.

Posting a photo with his family to Instagram just before the event, Smith wrote, "My Squad holding me down for my big 5-0". He looks remarkably relaxed for a man who is literally about to hurl himself out of a helicopter. 

The footage of the whole event unfolding is pretty intense, as Smith describes;

"Nothing. Nothing will ever be scarier than that. It goes from complete, absolute terror to the most magnificent bliss you've ever felt in your life.

"And I don't know what it is, when the cord works - first of all, you happy the cord worked, right. Then it's like the whole Grand Canyon is mine.

"I'm just kinda hanging there and the choppers far away - you're not really hearing it - it's like just bliss and it's like nobody will ever have that view. It's like me and the Grand Canyon, it's like that combination. It's almost like you need terror to experience the bliss."

Like I said, Will: rather you than me.

Variety reports that Smith was challenged to complete the jump by YouTube group Yes Theory, in order to raise awareness of education campaigns run by Global Citizen.

There are many good ways to celebrate getting a year older.

Though, when you actually stop to think about it, birthdays are basically a bit depressing. Aren't we really just celebrating being one year closer to shuffling off this mortal coil for good?

Maybe I'm over-thinking it, maybe I'm not, but personally I've found that, the older I get, the more my birthdays have become sorry, macabre affairs - much like New Year's Eve - during which I ruminate on all the things I meant to do over the year that I have not, in fact, done.

Am I claiming that birthdays are one of the worst days of the year? Yes, I absolutely am, don't @ me.

Having said all of that, though, shouldn't I - shouldn't we all - try to enjoy our birthdays a little more? Looked at another way, your birthday is a decent reminder that you've muddled your way through another year of life; paying taxes, eating, drinking and sleeping. You've functioned for another whole year, congratulations. Here's some cake.

And if you fall into the latter category of those who actively look forward to their own birthday (you knaves, you dogs), then what better possible way is there to celebrate than by jumping out of a helicopter and bungeeing over the Grand Canyon?

According to Will Smith, there is no better way.

That's right, folks, Will Smith - everyone's favourite movie star and all round utter, utter hunk, has celebrated his 50th birthday by leaping out of a helicopter over the Grand Canyon.

Of course, it's a remarkable feat in and of itself, but also: Will Smith is 50?? How, how has this happened. He looks about 20 years younger and is making me feel really quite old.

Taking to his YouTube channel to share the hair-raising experience, Smith dubbed the jump "spectacular", adding that he would "definitely do it again". Rather you than me, Will.

Posting a photo with his family to Instagram just before the event, Smith wrote, "My Squad holding me down for my big 5-0". He looks remarkably relaxed for a man who is literally about to hurl himself out of a helicopter. 

The footage of the whole event unfolding is pretty intense, as Smith describes;

"Nothing. Nothing will ever be scarier than that. It goes from complete, absolute terror to the most magnificent bliss you've ever felt in your life.

"And I don't know what it is, when the cord works - first of all, you happy the cord worked, right. Then it's like the whole Grand Canyon is mine.

"I'm just kinda hanging there and the choppers far away - you're not really hearing it - it's like just bliss and it's like nobody will ever have that view. It's like me and the Grand Canyon, it's like that combination. It's almost like you need terror to experience the bliss."

Like I said, Will: rather you than me.

Variety reports that Smith was challenged to complete the jump by YouTube group Yes Theory, in order to raise awareness of education campaigns run by Global Citizen.