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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
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(Newser) – 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."

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...
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...   (Associated Press)
Actor Will Smith poses for a photo in Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. Smith stars in the new film I Am Legend. Smith calls the quotes that ran in the Daily Record a ludicrous misinterpretation of what he said. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Actor Will Smith poses for a photo in Los Angeles on Friday, Nov. 30, 2007. Smith stars in the new film "I Am Legend." Smith calls the quotes that ran in the Daily Record a "ludicrous misinterpretation"...   (Associated Press)
U.S. actor Will Smith poses for photographers 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. Quotes published by a Scottish paper got Smith into hot water with the Jewish Defense League. (AP...
U.S. actor Will Smith poses for photographers 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. Quotes published by...   (Associated Press)
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The story that started it all
Scottish Daily Record

Smith's rebuttal
Associated Press

 
Adolf Hitler • Nazi • Will Smith • Jewish Defense League • I am Legend • Fresh Prince

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