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Will Smith apologises to Academy for altercation during Best Oscar acceptance speech

Will Smith has won his first Academy Award for his role as Richard Williams in the biopic King Richard.

He accepted the award to much applause and gave an emotional speech in which he referred to Richard as a fierce defender of his family.

Smith went on to talk about how he was given the opportunity to protect his co-stars and the real-life Williams sisters, which — while of course a truth about making the film — many believed was a reference to the altercation that took place moments before between him and Chris Rock. While Smith continued to thank the Williams family and others, he eventually used his time on stage to also apologise to the Academy.

 ROBYN BECK - Getty Images Will Smith wins Oscar Award for Best Actor for King Richard

He further talked about being a conduit empathy and storytelling, saying: Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.

He said: "I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I'm not crying for winning an award, it's not about winning an award for me. It's about being able to shine a light on all of the people [his cast and crew] of King Richard, Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family.

"Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things. To my mother, a lot of this moment is really complicated for me, but to my mother ... she's in Philly watching ... my family, my wife, I'm taking up too much time.

"Thank you for this honour, thank you for this moment, I thank you on behalf of Richard and the entire Williams family. I hope the Academy invites me back, thank you."

Smith also revealed that during his speech, Denzel Washington (also nominated for best actor for his role in Macbeth) said 'At your highest moment, be careful. That's when the devil comes for you.'

Smith was previously nominated for best actor at the Oscars for his roles in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness. King Richard, however, marks his first win.