In the category, Smith faced Benedict Cumberbatch of “The Power of the Dog”, Andrew Garfield of “Tick, Tick…Boom!”, Javier Bardem of “Being the Ricardos” and Denzel Washington of The “Tragedy of Macbeth”. “.

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the tennis biopic stars Venus and Serena Williams’ father, Richard Williams, who guided his prodigal tennis-playing daughters from the Compton courts to prominence in the sport.

Smith delivers a commanding performance as Williams and paints a sympathetic portrait of the father of tennis stars, who was shaped by poverty, violence and discrimination.

As Williams, Smith was charismatic and overwhelming. He is shown as stubborn, bold, shrewd, pugnacious, and selfless.

The actor entered Oscar night as a heavy favorite, having scooped trophies at the BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and Critics’ Choice Awards.

The Oscar trophy is definitely a high point in Smith’s career during which he established himself as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars with films and franchises like “Independence Day,” the “Men in Black” series. “, “I am Legend” and “Bad Boys”. “.

But while he commercially indulged in these films, the actor also shone with his performances as boxer Muhammad Ali in “Ali” and later as American businessman and motivational speaker Chris Gardner in “The Pursuit of Happiness”.