Eddie Murphy, Cecil B. deMille Awardee

People.com: Will Smith has taken the leading actor honor at the 2022 BAFTA Awards.

Smith, 53, won the top male acting award for his role as Serena and Venus Williams' father, Richard Williams Jr., in King Richard.

The star beat out Adeel Akhtar (Ali & Ava), Mahershala Ali (Swan Song), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), Leonardo DiCaprio (Don't Look Up), and Stephen Graham (Boiling Point).

Smith was not in attendance at London's Royal Albert Hall on Sunday to accept his award, so King Richard director Reinaldo Marcus Green spoke on his behalf.

"Will is gutted he couldn't be here this evening. This is a tremendous honor and I know he would be thanking you so much from the bottom of his heart. This is such a personal film for Will. From the moment he took this role he embodied Richard Williams. He would thank the Williams family. There is no film without them. It is a true honor to have shared their story," he said.