‘Ali’ and ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ are not only regarded as two of Will Smith‘s best motion pictures, but many hail the masterpieces as two of the century’s greatest cinematic offerings.
And while both were recognized with nominations by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in their years of eligibility (2002 and 2007 respectively), neither nabbed a golden statuette for Smith – a loss many critics still deem a misstep on behalf of the Academy.
Sunday (March 27) brought with it what may be redemption, however, when Will walked away with the Best Actor trophy for his acclaimed performance as Richard Williams – father of legendary tennis sisters Serena and Venus Williams – in 2021’s ‘King Richard.’
Smith’s Best Actor win at this year’s Golden Globes suggested he was a shoo-in to repeat the feat at the Academy Awards Sunday.
Living up to the expectation, Smith’s portrayal of ‘King Richard’ saw him crowned Best Actor – defeating Denzel Washington (‘The Tragedy of MacBeth’), Benedict Cumberbatch (‘The Power of the Dog’), Javier Bardem (‘Being the Ricardos’), and Andrew Garfield (‘Tick Tick Boom’) for the honor.
In the ceremony’s 94-year history, only four other Black men have won the Best Actor Academy Award: Denzel Washington, Sidney Poitier, Jamie Foxx, and Forest Whitaker.
The blow to the competition wasn’t the only jab Will made headlines for Sunday night. Although he apologized in his acceptance speech (seen above), click here to see how the 53-year-old dropped jaws for punching Chris Rock in the jaw after the comedian made jokes about his wife, Jada.
A few years back when Will Smith got snubbed a Oscar nomination for playing the doctor who researched NFL concussions he and Jada boycotted the Oscars which started the #oscarsaresowhite movement. Chris Rock was the host that year and he bashed Jada in multiple interviews and in his opening monologue. Will was highly pissed at Chris for repeatedly bashing his wife over a stance that was trying to help black artist and actors. Now obviously Will & Jada already felt some way about Chris Rock and best believe Chris knew that so he should know now to leave some people TF alone.
You guys clearly don’t know the difference between a punch, and a slap 🙄
Will smith need to be very carful stuff like that can coast him his whole career the oscars and other Award shows dont play with things like that