Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP/getty
Smith, 53,nabbed the trophyover fellow nomineesAndrew Garfield(Tick, Tick … Boom!),Benedict Cumberbatch(The Power of the Dog),Javier Bardem(Being the Ricardos) andDenzel Washington(The Tragedy of Macbeth).
Taking the stage to accept the honor on Sunday night at The Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, Smith cried while calling his win forKing Richard"one of the greatest moments" of his career. He then raved about the real-life legacy of his titular character Richard Williams, who is the father of tennis legendsVenusandSerena Williams.
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“Richard Williams is a dreamer like no one you’ve ever known,” said Smith, who plays Richard in the film. “He has a power of belief that borders on insanity and sometimes tips over the border, which is absolutely necessary to take something from impossible to possible.”
Smith then took a moment to praise hisKing Richardcastmates, including rising stars Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton.
“You guys are actors, so you know how sometimes your onscreen characters kind of bleed into real life,” he said. “To walk you around this room tonight, to parent you on this film, to deliver you into this business has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life.”
Before wrapping his speech, Smith gave a special shout-out to the Williams family. (Venus, 41, was in attendance for Sunday’s ceremony.)
“Venus, Serena, the Williams family, you entrusted me and our group with your story. You didn’t agree to put your name on it until you saw the final project. I get that, I get that. That’s cool. That’s real because we be messing stuff up sometimes,” he joked.
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“But when I got the call and you watched the movie and you said you loved it, I just want to say thank you very much,” he concluded. “It was my deepest pleasure to honor your family and to tell your story to the world. Thank you all.”
Smith producedKing Richardand also stars in the sports drama as Richard Williams, the father of tennis starsSerena WilliamsandVenus Williams. The film chronicles the sisters' journey to becoming professional athletes.
The actor previously explained toEntertainment Tonightwhy he gave bonuses to his co-workers onKing Richard,telling the outlet in November, “AllI can do is my part, so it’s always an honor and a pleasure for me to do my part, and everybody put in brilliant work.”
He added, “It was theCOVIDshutdowns; people really stuck with us.”
This marks the first SAG Award for Smith. He has already taken home theGolden Globefor his role as Richard Williams, and is also up for theAcademy AwardandBAFTA Award.King Richardis also nominated for best picture atthe Oscars.
RELATED VIDEO: Venus Williams Says There Could Be a Sequel to King Richard: ‘We’re Really Trying to Work On It’
SAG-AFTRAunveiled the nominationsfor the awards ceremonyon Instagramlast month, with help fromRosario DawsonandVanessa Hudgens.
Nominees include films likeDon’t Look UpandHouse of Gucci, as well as television series likeSquid GameandTed Lasso. Celebrities who scored nods includeCynthia Erivo,Sandra Oh,Steve MartinandJennifer Aniston, among many others.
This year,Helen Mirrenis the 57threcipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award. The 76-year-old actress is currently the most-decorated recipient of the honor, with a total of 13SAG Awardsnominations and five wins.
The 28thAnnualSAG Awardsare being broadcast live on TNT and TBS Sunday, Feb. 27.
source: people.com
