HOLLYWOOD, United States, March 28, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Will Smith on Sunday
won the Oscar for best actor for portraying Venus and Serena Williams' father
Richard in the tennis biopic "King Richard," taking home the trophy minutes
after he went viral for slapping presenter Chris Rock onstage.

  "Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said through
tears.

  "Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said, just
like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy
things."

  Not long before he earned his golden statuette, Smith sparked controversy
at the gala by storming onstage and slapping Rock, who made a joke about the
actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

  "I'm hoping the Academy invites me back," Smith said to close his speech.

  Smith beat Javier Bardem ("Being the Ricardos"), Benedict Cumberbatch ("The
Power of the Dog"), Andrew Garfield ("tick, tick...BOOM!") and Denzel
Washington ("The Tragedy of Macbeth").

  After the altercation and Smith's speech, host Amy Schumer returned to the
stage, saying: "Did I miss anything? there's like a different vibe in here."