Will Smith.Photo: The CW
Will Smithcontinues to be the king of awards season!
On Sunday, the star won best actor at the 2022Critics Choice Awardsfor his performance inKing Richard. The victory follows wins in the same category at the 2022SAG Awardsand 2022BAFTA Awards. (He is also nominated for the Best ActorAcademy Award.)
“I am here tonight withVenusand Serena [Williams] and their sister Isha,” said Smith, 53, in his acceptance speech. “And I really just want to say to all of you, thank you for entrusting me with your story. What you were able to do, and what your family was able to do, inspired everyone in this room, everyone in this country and everyone around the world.”
Smith producedKing Richardand also stars in the sports drama asRichard Williams, the father of tennis stars Serena, 40, and Venus, 41. The film chronicles the sisters' journey to becoming professional athletes.
“You all define the American dream,” Smith addressed the family in his speech. “You represent the best of what we all hope this world and this country can be.”
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Will Smith.Matt Baron/Shutterstock
Smith went on to speak about the Williams sisters' motherOracene Price"who, for a lot of years, took a really quiet role."
“And I love that we were able to show what your mother did to help create and mold and shape your family, and be able to show to the world the power of faith, the power of unity, the power of family, the power of discipline,” he said.
Smith then shouted out Aunjanue Ellis, who played Oracene in the film: “In the same way I feel that your father didn’t do it alone, it would be disingenuous for me to accept this [award] without acknowledging Aunjanue Ellis. Thank you, Aunjanue.”
The other nominees in the category wereNicolas Cage(Pig),Benedict Cumberbatch(The Power of the Dog),Peter Dinklage(Cyrano),Andrew Garfield(Tick, Tick … Boom!) andDenzel Washington(The Tragedy of Macbeth).
RELATED VIDEO: Venus Williams' “Wow” Moment SeeingWill SmithPlay Her Father in New Film: He “Embodied My Dad”
Smith recentlytold theLos Angeles Timesthat accolades coming this point in his career are somewhat of a surprise, “I had resigned myself in my life that, as an artist, I would never make a film better than [2006’s]The Pursuit of Happyness.”
“That was the high-water mark. I figured I had reached my artistic pinnacle,” he added.
“And then,” Smith continued, “we madeKing Richard, and the amount of people — family, friends, foes, celebrities, politicians, athletes — who have been inspired to make it a point to get in touch with me to tell me that they enjoyed it has been overwhelming.”
source: people.com
