After 2022’s biggest debacle- the Oscar slap, Hollywood sort of gave the cold shoulder to Will Smith. He was barred from attending the prestigious ceremony for a decade and movie offers seemed to stagnate. The actor almost immediately apologized amid an intense social media storm where people debated which side was right.

The alienation of Smith by his industry peers was shocking to see and yet somehow expected. What was not expected was Tom Cruise abandoning the star whom he called a friend. Reportedly, the Men in Black star had stood beside Cruise during a tough time- his public romance with Katie Holmes. However, it seemed like the Top Gun star failed to return the favor.

Will Smith Stood Beside Tom Cruise During His Problems With Katie Holmes 

Will Smith and Tom Cruise
In a 2021 interview with British GQ, Will Smith revealed that he became friends with Tom Cruise when the Mission Impossible star was going through a difficult personal crisis. While he never clarified what it was, many presumed that Smith was referring to Cruise’s odd behavior during the time of his romance and then marriage to star Katie Holmes.
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
The Emancipation star said:
“That was the thing even with Tom [Cruise]. Tom and I became friends in the middle of his public difficulties. That’s when I want to be there. If everything is great, call somebody else. Call me when you need help. I love it. I love being the 2 am emergency phone call.” 
But it looks like the Minority Report star didn’t become a shoulder Smith could lean on during the biggest debacle of his career. Instead, the star revealed that he got his career advice and more from Denzel Washington.

Will Smith Was Advised To Play Around In his Fifties With His Career 

Denzel Washington and Will Smith
In the British GQ interview, Will Smith revealed that the one fellow Hollywood star he could always lean on was- Denzel Washington. Even when everyone was condemning Smith for the slap, Washington stood by him. He said, “Who are we to condemn? I don’t know all the ins and outs of the situation.” The Independence Day star revealed that over the years, Washington gave him great career advice. He said:
“Throughout the years, I would always call Denzel. He’s a real sage. I was probably 48, or something like that, and I called Denzel. He said, ‘Listen. You’ve got to think of it as the funky 40. Everybody’s forties are funky. But just wait till you hit the f**k-it fifties.’”
Will Smith
Smith further explained that “f**k-it fifties” meant allowing himself to do just whatever he wanted. He said, “It just became the f**k-it fifties and I gave myself the freedom to do whatever I wanted to do.” While the Oscar slap incident nearly derailed his career, Smith has bounced back impressively.

He has big projects like Bad Boys 4 and I am Legend 2 in his bag now. It’s an impressive career rebound for the actor who once wanted to play the roles Tom Cruise used to. While the $600 million net worth Cruise is on another stratosphere in Hollywood, Smith isn’t too many levels beneath him.