Will Smith on Sunday won the Oscar for best actor for portraying Venus and Serena Williams’ father Richard in the tennis biopic “King Richard,” taking home the trophy minutes after he went viral for slapping presenter Chris Rock onstage.
“Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said through tears.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
Not long before he earned his golden statuette, Smith sparked controversy at the gala by storming onstage and slapping Rock, who made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
“I’m hoping the Academy invites me back,” Smith said to close his speech.
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not Chris Rock. He wrapped up his speech by saying he hopes that the Academy invites him back.
His performance in King Richard was his third Oscar nomination, after Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness. King Richard is the origin story of the Williams sisters. Isha Price, one of Venus and Serena’s older sisters, told NPR that 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 sisters’ trainer, but also as their fierce proponent.
Source: The Guardian
In other news – DRAMA: Will Smith beats up Chris Rock at the Oscars – VIDEO
In a truly shocking moment, Will Smith just smacked Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith at The Oscars.
Chris was up on stage Sunday presenting for Best Documentary, but before he started naming the nominees he was firing off zingers to the crowd, and eventually landed on Will and Jada Pinkett Smith. Learn more
