Will Smith Talks Recognitions For 'King Richard': 'It Feels Great'

Will Smith is aging like fine wine in his Hollywood career as he continues to enjoy all the worldwide acclaim from his impeccable lead role in "King Richard.

Smith has won an impressive amount of reputable nods for starring in the biopic of the Williams family, including a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Awards.

The actor gushed about what all the recognition means to him and how great it feels to do work that resonates with the world.

On Tuesday, March 15, Smith attended the National Board of Review Gala in New York City and spoke to ET about how excited he is to be recognized for his iconic role. He said:

"It feels great! I was saying to someone the other night. This is what I'm always trying to do. I’m always trying to make something that resonates, and the message penetrates."

The "King Richard" star is having a memorable ride with his award seasons and admitted that it feels beautiful to be feeling the wave of love people have for the biopic.

The star portrayed Richard, the late father of Venus and Serena Williams, and the film follows the story of how he raised his girls to become the tennis icons of today.

Smith knew the movie would be memorable when he read the script and humbly chalked up his accolades to being propelled by positive angels.

The father-of-three explained that under ordinary circumstances, he would speak about what he planned and how he knew the movie would take off, but this was a different case. He explained:

"I remember from the first time I read the screenplay, I just knew. I am being dragged around by the good angels on this one."

The Critics' Choice Award winner also praised the Williams family for their motivation during his awards speech on Sunday, March 13.

The awardee thanked the iconic family for trusting him with their story, admitting that their accomplishments inspired everyone at the ceremony and worldwide.

As the awards season continues, with the most coveted Academy Award up for grabs, Smith has been pitted against his mentor and supporter Denzel Washington.

The "Aladdin" actor spoke up about Washington, who is nominated for his stellar role in "The Tragedy of Macbeth." He noted that the award season is more about celebrating each other's work.

Smith clarified that he and his friend were proud of each other's accomplishments and were not in any competition. He said that from the nomination period to the award ceremony, everyone is a winner. He continued:

"You don't know how it's gonna show out. There's no real competition. It's out of your hands. So, it's a celebration of what we do that happens in this period that is the greatest, beautiful experience as an actor."

Smith's friendship with Washington is thriving more than ever due to the awards season, as he expressed his joy over being able to see him more during the period than he did in the pandemic.

Smith's statement about not competing with Washington rang true when he became a first-time winner of the renowned Screen Actors Guild Award.

The Blast disclosed that, at the 28th edition of the Annual SAG Awards, which held on Sunday, February 27, the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" actor got candid about being supported by his friend.

While speaking with PEOPLE, Smith credited Washington for being a mentor and supporter who predicted his success for "King Richard."

The awardee said, "We’ve spent a lot of time together. So we’ve been talking, he’s always been a mentor for me, and he grabbed me, and he said, ‘This is your year.'"

The SAG winner recounted that Washington hugged him and expressed his pride over who he is turning out to be. His counterpart was also a source of counsel who passed on the mantle to him. Smith recalled:

“I would go to Denzel for advice, so he’s seen me through the years, and he was just telling me how proud he is of who I’ve become and what I’ve become. He was saying that he felt like a weight was lifted off of his shoulders somehow.”