Richard Williams, the father of tennis greats Serena and Venus, has defended actor Will Smith for slapping comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars last year as the 2023 Academy Awards approached.
Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, on the show last year, prompting Smith to get up from his seat, storm onto the stage, and slap the host. The incident spoiled the show when Smith won Best Actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams in the movie «King Richard,» which was about the father of tennis stars teaching and coaching his daughters.
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Will Smith, right, took issue with Chris Rock’s joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, prompting him to slap the comedian. (Robyn Beck/AFP)
Will Smith, right, is no longer a member of the academy, resigned and was suspended for 10 years. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
On Monday, Williams spoke to «Good Morning Britain» about the slap for the first time.
«I think he’s done the best he has to, but I would never be upset with Mr. Smith. In fact, I appreciate Mr. Smith,» Williams said.
Serena Williams, right, of the USA celebrates with her father Richard Williams after their ladies’ singles final match against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland on day 12 of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 7, 2012 in London. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Williams said that he «didn’t feel sorry» for Rock.
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«It’s time for everyone to forgive Will Smith,» he added.
Last month, Serena Williams opened up about the Oscars slap, saying she thought it «outshone» the film.
Richard Williams is seen at the Sony Open Tennis tournament at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 29, 2014 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Images by Uri Schanker/GC)
«I thought it was such an amazing movie, and I feel like there was an amazing movie after that with Questlove that was overshadowed,» he told CBS’s Gayle King. «But I also feel like I’ve been in a position where I’ve been under a lot of pressure and I’ve made a lot of mistakes, and I’m the kind of person who says, ‘I’ve been there. I’ve made a mistake. It’s not the end of the world.
«We’re all imperfect, and we’re all human, and let’s be kind to each other. So, that’s often forgotten a lot.»
Richard Williams watches his daughter Venus Williams’ match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia during day 10 of the 2007 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 5, 2007 in the Flushing borough of the city’s Queens borough from New York. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
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Rock opened up about the slap in his new Netflix comedy special «Selective Outrage.»