Tuesday, December 30, 2025
ADVT 
Hollywood

Will Smith to be pallbearer for Muhammad Ali's funeral

Darpan News Desk IANS, 07 Jun, 2016 01:26 PM
  • Will Smith to be pallbearer for Muhammad Ali's funeral
Actor Will Smith and former professional boxer Lennox Lewis have been named as pallbearers at late boxing legend Muhammad Ali's funeral, which will take place on Friday.
 
Smith, who portrayed the boxer in the 2001 film about his life called "Ali", and Lennox will be among the 15,000 people who are expected to attend the funeral service in Louisville, reports express.co.uk. 
 
A spokesman for the Ali family confirmed his cousins John Grady, Jan Wadell, Jerry Ellis, nephew Ibn Ali, former brother-in-law Kowali Ali, boxer Jimmy Ellis and family friend John Ramsay will also be pallbearers.
 
Ali, a three-time world heavyweight champion, died in hospital in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 3. He was 74.
 
His funeral at the KFC Yum! Centre in Louisville, will be open to the public. Those who unable to attend will be able to watch the service online.
 
It will be preceded by a Jenazah -- an Islamic funeral prayer programme -- which will also be open to the public at the Freedom Hall, where Ali made his professional debut with a victory over Tunney Hunsaker in 1960.
 
Speaking about the service, family spokesman Bob Gunnell said: "Everything that we are doing here was blessed by Muhammad Ali, and was requested. 
 
"He wanted the memorial service to reflect his life, and how he lived. He wanted everyone to be able to attend. He was the people's champ, and he wanted the memorial service to reflect that." 

MORE Hollywood ARTICLES

Madonna's Son 'Felt Like A Trophy' On Her Tour

Madonna's Son 'Felt Like A Trophy' On Her Tour
Singer Madonna's son Rocco Ritchie is said to have felt like a "trophy" as he toured with his famous mother, and now wants a more "stable" life with his father Guy Ritchie.

Madonna's Son 'Felt Like A Trophy' On Her Tour

Blow Us: Carrie Fisher To Body Shamers

Blow Us: Carrie Fisher To Body Shamers
Actress Carrie Fisher has responded to those criticising her appearance in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

Blow Us: Carrie Fisher To Body Shamers

How 'Spectre' Villain 'Missed' Bond's Brain During Robotic Drill

How 'Spectre' Villain 'Missed' Bond's Brain During Robotic Drill
If you have seen new James Bond movie “Spectre,” can you spot a medical error that the villain made while putting Bond to a robotic brain drill to impair his ability to recognise faces?

How 'Spectre' Villain 'Missed' Bond's Brain During Robotic Drill

No hair dye for Cate Blanchett

No hair dye for Cate Blanchett
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett says she once tried to dye hair on her arm, but was left with unsightly orange and purple patches.

No hair dye for Cate Blanchett

Jennifer Lawrence slams Hollywood for focus on 'appearance'

Actress Jennifer Lawrence has slammed Hollywood for focussing more on physical appearance of an actor than talent.

Jennifer Lawrence slams Hollywood for focus on 'appearance'

What's Matthew McConaughey's New Year Plan?

Actor Matthew McConaughey says he will mark New Year's Eve by throwing flowers in the sea.

What's Matthew McConaughey's New Year Plan?