Smith won the award for his role as Richard Williams, father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard, a biographical film that portrayed Williams ‘role in the brothers’ stellar success. The film was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and stars Smith in the title role, along with Aunjanue Ellis as Brandy’s wife, Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as Venus and Serena, and Jon Bernthal as tennis coach Rick Macci. Venus and Serena Williams acted as executive producers on the project. Smith was already in charge of the big drama of the night, after he seemed to hit the presenter Chris Rock, after the comedian made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. “Get my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth,” he shouted at Rock twice. During commercial breaks, Smith could be seen wiping tears from his eyes and comforting others in the room. Will Smith slaps and curses Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars – watch the full video Going on stage, Smith referred to the controversy over the character he played in King Richard. “Oh friend,” he said. “Richard Williams was a tough defender of his family. At this time in my life, at this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and to be in this world. “In making this film I had to protect Aunjanue Ellis, who is one of the strongest, most sensitive people I have ever met. I have to protect Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton, the two actresses who played Venus and Serena. “I am called in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river for my people. And I know we do what we do and you have to be able to accept the abuse and make people talk crazy about you. In this business, people abuse you and you have to smile and pretend to be okay. “I want to be a boat for love, I want to say thank you to Aphrodite and Serena and the whole Williams family who trusted me with your story. I want to be an ambassador of this kind of love, care and concern. “I want to apologize to the Academy and to all my candidates. This is a beautiful moment and I cry that I won an award. “It’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about being able to shed light on all the people, the whole cast and the crew.” Continuing to wipe away the tears, Smith said: “Art imitates life! I looked like the crazy father, as they said. “But love will make you do crazy things.” Smith concluded by thanking his mother, who said she could not attend as she was busy with the knitting cycle. “Thank you for this moment,” he concluded. “I hope the Academy invites me back.” Smith has already won numerous awards for his role in the film, including Best Actor at the Bafta and Critics Choice Awards and Best Actor (Drama) at the Golden Globes. At the Oscars, Smith was successful in his third attempt, having twice been nominated for Best Actor twice: for Ali in 2002 and for The Pursuit of Happyness in 2007.
