Will Smith: Muhammad Ali changed my life

Hollywood star Will Smith has credited Muhammad Ali changing his life after portraying the boxing champion in the 2001 biopic Ali. Ali died on June 3 at the age of 74, following a 32-year battle with

Parkinson's disease

. His passing emerged days after he was admitted to a medical center in

Phoenix

, Arizona, for respiratory complications.

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Smith, who earned his first ever Oscar nomination for his role as the outspoken sports star in Ali, took to Facebook to honour the man he had come to call a friend.

"You shook up the World! My Mentor & My Friend. You changed my Life. Rest in Peace," the 47-year-old actor wrote. Smith also shared two photos of himself with the late legend, including one behind-the-scenes shot from the making of Ali.

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