2 decades after Will Smith’s first nomination, he finally won his first Oscar – awarded for best actor in a leading role for his portrayal of Richard Williams, Tennis superstars Venus and Serena’s father.
The win wasn’t without its flaws as Smith went up stage earlier to attack presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a dig about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her shaved head.
Smith’s wife has been public about her health condition, Alopecia, which that causes hair loss. Smith angrily yelled at Rock twice after he took his seat again to “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
After receiving the award, Smith gave an emotional acceptance speech and said to the audience, “I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you. In this business, you gotta be able to have people disrespecting you. And you gotta smile and you gotta pretend like that’s okay.”
He also talked about speaking to Denzel Washington in private, who told him, “At your highest moment, that’s when the devil comes for you.”
Will Smith appreciated the Williams family for entrusting him with their story, saying he wanted to be an ambassador for love. “Art imitates life,” he said. “I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
Although, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not Chris Rock. He ended his speech by saying he hopes that the Academy invites him back.
His performance in King Richard was his third Oscar nomination after The Pursuit of Happyness and Ali. King Richard which finally earned Smith his Oscar is the origin story of the Williams sisters. Isha Price, Serena’s older sister said they have been approached many times to make a movie about Venus and Serena. This one was different, she said. Instead of following a story that is still being written, King Richard became a snapshot of the early days, when Richard Williams served not only as the sister’s trainer, but also as their fierce proponent.
“The size and scope of the dream was so huge that it bothered on insanity,” Smith said. “It’s sort of where you have to live if you want to do something that’s never been done before.”
Smith ventured into acting career on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1990 and has become one of the most prolific actors of his time.
