Mahershala Ali said he wants to “move on” from the controversy over his film Green Book.
The US actor played jazz musician Don Shirley in Peter Farrelly’s multi-Golden Globe-winning road-trip movie, which also stars Viggo Mortensen.
However, Dr Shirley’s family objected to Ali’s portrayal of the late pianist, with one relative calling the film a “symphony of lies”.
Speaking backstage at the Golden Globes after picking up his best supporting actor prize, Oscar-winner Ali said he respects Dr Ali and his family but wants to move on.
He said: “I will say that my job is always the same and I have to look at what I’m responsible for doing and all the prayers, the energy, the time, the work, I am not one who is going to necessarily throw all that away over things I had no control over and had nothing to do with.
“I respect the family, I respect Dr Shirley and his family and I wish them well. I have a job to do and I have to continue to do my job as I move on to my next project and treat everyone I work with with respect. In this case I didn’t know they were around. I made contact and I’ve spoken to the studio and I have to move on at this point.
“But I do wish them well. At the end of the day you wish everyone was happy. In any situation you don’t want anybody to be upset at anything or be offended in any capacity so I wish them well and send them my love.”
Green Book tells the story of Dr Shirley’s concert tour through the segregated Deep South in the 1960s and topped the table in terms of wins at the Golden Globes, with three.
As well as Ali’s prize, it was recognised in the best motion picture, musical or comedy category, and for best screenplay.