Smith Too Jiggy With Hitler, Say Irate Jews

Legend actor said Nazi chief tried to do 'what he thought was good'
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 25, 2007 8:39 AM CST
Smith Too Jiggy With Hitler, Say Irate Jews
U.S. actor Will Smith greets fans as he arrives for the British premiere of his latest film, "I am Legend", at a cinema in London's West End, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Smith warned people of the "dangerous power of an ignorant person with a pen" after he was misquoted as defending Hitler. (AP Photo/Lefteris...   (Associated Press)

Will Smith finds himself in some hot water with the Jewish Defense League after telling a Scottish newspaper that Hitler didn't mean to do evil, but rather, using "a twisted, backwards logic, he set out to do what he thought was 'good.'"  The JDL denounced Smith's remark as "ignorant, detestable, and offensive," while the not-so-Fresh Prince quickly backtracked on the "ludicrous misinterpretation," TMZ reports.

Smith's words "spit on the memory of every person murdered by the Nazis," railed the JDL, which called on movie theaters to yank Smith's latest flick, I Am Legend. In response, Smith issued a statement clarifying his position on Hitler as a "vile, heinous, vicious killer." (More Will Smith stories.)

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