“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” Smith wrote via Instagram on March 28. He later apologized directly to the presenter the following day in a lengthy statement. Just like they said about Richard Williams. “Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” he added. The 7 Pounds actor also apologized to several people for his behavior - though not explicitly to Rock. And you got to smile, you got to pretend like that’s OK.” In this business you got to be able to have people disrespecting you. You got to be able to have people talk crazy about you. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said, relating his behavior to that of Serena and Venus Williams’ father, the role he played in the film. Will Smith and Chris Rock Rob Latour/Shutterstock
