‘King Richard’s’ son breaks silence on dad’s ‘violent past’ & slams Will Smith for saying he was in character with slap

“KING Richard’s” son has defended his dad’s alleged “violent past” and slammed Will Smith for saying he was in character when he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The Hollywood star, who won a golden statue for Best Actor for his portrayal of Serena and Venus’s controversial father, was banned for a decade after hitting the comedian on stage.

King Richard, the father of tennis superstars, Venus and Serena, spoke exclusively with The U.S. SunCredit: John Chapple for The US Sun

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars, resulting in a ten-year ban by the AcademyCredit: Getty
Although Richard, 80, told The U.S. Sun he would never criticize the actor and praised his role in the movie, his son was not impressed by the star’s comments after the assault.

Deciding not to leave the ceremony despite reportedly being asked, Will later collected his award and was visibly upset as tears began rolling down his cheeks.

He told the audience: “Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said. I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”

Chavoita shook his head and told The U.S. Sun: “My dad is not a violent man unless, you know, someone is coming at him in an aggressive manner.

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“I don’t know if my dad holds grudges against anyone and my dad will always take the high road. That’s something I admire about my dad.

“I think Chris Rock’s feelings are more important than mine when it comes to Will being banned because he was humiliated on the show.

“What Chris Rock did was not threatening, he’s a comedian, and he gets paid to tell jokes. It was a very dry joke.

“Hopefully Chris and Will can come back together and who knows, they might make a movie together down the line, and make a lot of money.”

Richard was also suspected of breaking his second wife Orecene’s ribs, but she allegedly protected him to save their daughters from being embarrassed.

A police report previously obtained by The U.S. Sun from Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida detailed the alleged bust-up between Richard and his then-wife, Serena, and Venus’s mom.

Cops were called at 2.34pm on February 7, 1999, and Officer Larry Enstrom detailed how he met with Richard’s wife at Columbia Hospital where she was being treated.

“Upon my arrival, I made contact with hospital personnel, who stated a black female by the name of Oracene Williams had taken herself to the ER for treatment to what is believed to be a battery,” he wrote in the report.

POLICE INCIDENT

“I spoke to Ms. Williams and in doing so, I was met with passive resistance to any questions I asked. Ms. Williams stated she did not wish to report any information to the police, nor did she request them.”

Officer Enstrom explained hospital personnel claimed Ms. Williams had originally stated that a door handle had hit her, but her injuries were “not consistent with a door handle hitting someone in that portion of the body.”

Enstrom was advised the only other person living at the property besides the mother and her two daughters was Richard Williams, but Serena and Venus said they did not believe he was home at the time.

“I again spoke to Ms. Williams and urged her to be forthright with me as to what had occurred. Ms. Williams stated to me, ‘I know you know what happened, but I am fearful for my daughters’ careers,'” he wrote in the bombshell report.

When asked about the old police report, his son Chavoita, 49, said he didn’t think his dad would hurt anyone, while his father declines to talk about the past.

“I heard the story a few years ago that my dad was violent in some capacity or form,” he told The U.S. Sun.

“I don’t know which way or whatever, ’cause I can’t speak on it. I’ve never seen my dad strike out at anyone in any violent manner.

“I don’t look at it as if my dad is a violent person at all, and all he talks about is how people should be loved.

“Now, my dad’s stern, my dad is direct, my dad is forward. But I think we all should be that way. People should know they have boundaries when it comes to you.

“He knows who he is, and if my dad feels like he’s offended someone, he will call that person and apologize to him. I’ve witnessed him do that.”

FIRST FAMILY

He said he would never hit someone in the face for offending his wife or partner as Will Smith did, but he would defend his family if he thought there was a real threat.

Meanwhile, Serena and Venus’ half-sister, Sabrina Williams, has slammed her estranged father, who she claims was painted as a saint in the biopic.

She alleged he walked out of his first family and has failed to reconcile with her.

Chavoita says his dad does not want to speak about his first marriage, but he would likely welcome any child of his with open arms if they were to contact him.

Although he says due to his ailing health, he finds communication difficult following three strokes and it might not be in their best interest to meet again.

Asked directly about Sabrina, Richard appeared confused but understood she is the daughter of his first wife, Betty, and said he’d be happy to be in contact.

Richard married Sabrina’s late mom, Betty Johnson, in Los Angeles in the early 1960s, and they had four other children together – Richard III, Ronner, Reluss, and Reneeka, 49.

But, when Sabrina was just eight, Richard allegedly dumped his wife and five kids – telling the little girl he was going to buy her a bike, but never returning.

Richard then married Oracene, Serena and Venus’s mother, in 1980, but they divorced in 2002.

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He is now going through his third divorce having married his much younger wife, Lakeisha Graham.

During their lengthy court battle, which has been ongoing for six years, he has accused her of cashing his security checks and stealing his home and vehicles.