MADRID - THE election of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States in November reduced Will Smith to tears of joy, the Oscar-nominated actor said on Tuesday during a visit to Spain.

'When he won I cried so much that even my daughter thought something bad had happened,' the 40-year-old told reporters during a news conference in Madrid called to promote his latest movie 'Seven Pounds'.

'Obama's win is an achievement not just for the USA, but also for all of humanity,' he added.

Smith, who has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters including 'Men In Black,' and 'Independence Day", was voted the star who generated the most box office revenue for US theatres in 2008 in an annual survey by Quigley Publishing of movie exhibitors that was released last week.

He is only the second black actor to be chosen in the poll after Sidney Poitier topped the poll in 1968. The survey has been held every year since 1932.

Smith was nominated for the 'Best Actor' Oscar for his portrayal of boxer Muhammad Ali in 2001 in 'Ali' and again in 2006 for his role in 'The Pursuit of Happyness' where he played Chris Gardner in his rags-to-riches story.

Mr Obama, whose father came from Kenya and whose mother was white, will be sworn in on January 20. -- AFP