Will Smith hailed 'champion of diversity' at MTV Movie Awards

Actor Will Smith was hailed as a "champion of diversity" in Hollywood as he was honoured for his film career at the MTV Movie Awards.

The Independence Day actor, 47, who attended the Los Angeles ceremony with his sons Trey and Jaden, received the Generation Award recognising his film career.

Presenting the award, Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry said:

Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith boycotted this year's Oscars to highlight the apparent lack of diversity among the award nominees.

Accepting the award, he joked that the Generation Award was "code for the old-ass dude award".

"This is absolutely beautiful," he said. "I released my first record when I was 17. I'm 47 years old now. This June marks 30 years in this business.

"I'm dedicated to being a light in this world."

Other winners included British star Daisy Ridley who was awarded a golden popcorn statue for breakthrough performance as Rey in Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, which was named movie of the year.

Ridley beat her Star Wars co-star and fellow Briton John Boyega to win the award.

The 23-year-old Londoner said: "It feels especially amazing to be part of a film that represents people of all genders, all races and all ages in such a positive and aspirational way."

Straight Outta Compton's Jason Mitchell (centre left) and O'Shea Jackson Jr, pictured here at Screen Actors Guild Awards in January referred to their Oscars snub on stage. Credit: Reuters

Melissa McCarthy became the first woman to receive the Comedic Genius award, while Straight Outta Compton, which told the story of gangsta rap pioneers NWA, won the True Story Award.

The cast referred to their Oscars snub on stage as they were joined by the group's original member DJ Yella.

Jason Mitchell, who played Eazy-E in the film, said: "I would like to take a moment to thank the Academy..." before he was interrupted by co-star O'Shea Jackson Jr, who portrayed his own father Ice Cube in the film.

Charlize Theron won best female performance for Mad Max: Fury Road, Amy Poehler won best virtual performance for her role as Joy in the Pixar film Inside Out while Ryan Reynolds won best comedic performance for superhero film Deadpool.

  • The show will be aired on MTV UK on Monday at 8pm.