It was a historic night but even the Oscars have to come second sometimes. Will Smith, who had cut such a dashing figure on the red carpet as he arrived, rushed away midway through the gala ceremony, despite being up for the best actor gong, after hearing that his 18-month-old daughter Willow was ill.
The 33-year-old actor – nominated for his portrayal of iconic boxer Muhammad Ali in Ali – and his wife Jada Pinkett left Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre early after being told that Willow, who was suffering from an ear infection, had a 103-degree fever, a spokesman for the family said.
Observers had hailed Will and Jada as the best-dressed couple of the night after they did the traditional walkabout prior to the ceremony. But as the best actor nominees were read out towards the end of the evening, photos of Will and no-show Sean Penn – nominated for his role in I Am Sam – were shown alongside live shots of the other nominees, Tom Wilkinson, Russell Crowe and winner Denzel Washington.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
