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.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
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 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
TAKE IT SLOW
Anyone can be a runner with this back-to-basics approach to hitting the pavement
ADAM LAMBERT
THE POP STAR IS READY TO MAKE SOME NOISE ON THE VOICE
LIANE MORIARTY - 'Tell me your secrets'
LIES AND SCANDAL ARE ALL IN A DAY'S WORK FOR THE AUTHOR
DID SHE REALLY manifest SUCCESS?
THE SUPERSTAR SINGER - WITH A NOTABLE FAMILY LINK TO THE SIMPSONS - IS ON A REAL ROLL
Like mother, like daughter
INSIDE LILA'S MODELLING JOURNEY AND CLOSE CONNECTION TO HER MUM
ITALIAN FAMILY VACAY
WITH A NEW TOYBOY IN TOW, THE MATERIAL GIRL CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY IN STYLE
LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY
THE MY KITCHEN RULES HOSTS TELL WHO ABOUT THE BOND THEY HAVE THAT CAN'T BE FAKED
LUCY LETBY - 'SHE'S NOT INNOCENT!'
AS SOME CAMPAIGN TO FREE THE KILLER NURSE, A MUM PLEADS FOR THE QUESTIONS TO STOP
BREAK-UP OVER BEN?
SOURCES SPILL THAT THE STAR'S LOYALTY TO HER EX IS TAKING A TOLL ON HER RELATIONSHIP
Justin & Hailey WELCOME BABY JACK!
BABY BOOM - THE STARS SAY HELLO TO A HOST OF NEW ARRIVALS