Academy nominee Will Smith talks to CBS News’ Gayle King about his childhood, his suicidal thoughts, his father’s forgiveness, his “King Richard” movie, and more in a revealing and emotional interview for on “CBS Sunday Morning,” which will air. March 13 on CBS and aired on Paramount +.
Smith, 53, is a global superstar selling millions of highly successful albums and movies. In his book, “Will,” Smith recounts his life, his warts, and everything, including the impact it had on him to see his father hit his mother when he was just 9 years old.
“And I didn’t do anything,” Smith said.
“But as a child, Will, what are you supposed to do?” King asked.
“The child’s mind doesn’t work that way,” he replied. “I was hoping to be a superhero.”
Click on the video player to see a preview clip:
“My suffering has helped me to be who I am.”
World superstar Will Smith, nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “King Richard,” sits down with “@CBSMornings“co – host @GayleKing to talk about the inspiring journey of his life: from suffering to success pic.twitter.com/OKhvuyB9dq
– CBS Sunday Morning @ (@CBSSunday) March 11, 2022
Smith told King, co-host of CBS Mornings, that when his parents separated, he thought about taking his own life.
“This was the only time in my life that I considered suicide,” he said. “And, you know … it was, it was my fault. You know, I don’t know how kids do it … in their minds, but you know, it was, somehow it was my fault.”
Smith said he made peace with his father when his father died in 2016. “And you know, in those last moments with my father, when I was able to forgive my father, I was pleasantly surprised that I could forgive myself … my father’s death began a new stage in my life, “Smith said.
He also says that his suffering has helped him to become the man he is today: “I thank God for my suffering, you know? My suffering has helped me to be who I am. My suffering is me. it has helped build my life and my family and helped me find the truth on which to base my life today. ”
In an extensive interview, Smith also spoke with King about his work on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”; his Oscar-nominated film, “King Richard”; his marriage to Jada Pinkett Smith; and what he would like to do next.
The Emmy Award-winning “Sunday Morning” airs on CBS Sundays from 9 a.m. ET. “Sunday Morning” is also broadcast on the CBS News app [beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET] and Paramount +, and is available at cbs.com and cbsnews.com.
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For more information:
- “King Richard” is now available in theaters and is available upon request
- “Will” by Will Smith with Mark Manson (Penguin), hardcover, large paperback, Spanish paperback, e-book and audio formats, available on Amazon and Indiebound
- Follow Will Smith Twitter and Instagram
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