In all the roles he’s played during his more-than-30-year movie and TV career, none was more stressful for Will Smith than portraying tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard. But the chance to portray the driven, devoted and complicated tennis dad in King Richard was too good an opportunity for Smith, 53, to pass up. “With where I am in my life, I felt more prepared than ever to honour and explore this man and this family,” he says of the role.
Smith’s portrayal of Williams is already generating Oscars buzz. Here the much-loved actor, who’s also starred in Men in Black, Independence Day and Ali, opens up about this demanding new role and what he’s learned along the way …
You’ve played real-life characters before, but was there more of a personal connection to Richard Williams? You’ve spoken before about how he makes you think of your father and your daughter.
This story is from the January 24, 2022 edition of WHO.
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This story is from the January 24, 2022 edition of WHO.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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