Chris Rock and Will Smith have shocked the world after Smith went up on stage during the Oscars to slap the host of the awards in the face.
The violent act followed a close-to-the-wire joke from Rock about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith which appeared to mock her alopecia.
After the slap, Smith stormed back to his seat where he shouted: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”
The incident isn’t the first awards ceremony gripe between the two. In the 2016 Oscars, infamously remembered for #OscarsSoWhite, Pinkett Smith threatened to boycott the awards after her husband's snub for his work in Concussion.
Deeming her protest a worthy target, Rock said during his speech: "Jada Pinkett Smith boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties — I wasn't invited!"
The joke drew rapturous laughter from the mostly white audience.
But Rock is no stranger to controversy, with some landmark events in his life also drawing some attention.
Chris Rock's porn addiction
Chris Rock has spoken publicly about his porn addiction
In his 2018 Netflix special Chris Rock: Tamborine, Rock addressed his struggles as part of his routine.
He said: “I was not a good husband. I was f***ed-up. I was addicted to porn. I know, billion-dollar industry, just me, right? I was addicted to porn and, you know, I was 15 minutes late everywhere."
He added: “What happens when you watch too much porn is you get desensitised.”
Chris Rock's wife cheat admission
Chris Rock’s relationship with Malaak Compton-Rock didn't only suffer from his porn addiction, however.
The couple had been married for 16 years, but in Tamborine Rock admitted the fame and success went to his head.
He said: “I’m a f***ing a**hole, man. I didn’t listen. I wasn’t kind. I cheated.
“Yeah, I’m serious. I’m not bragging. I’d go on the road, end up sleeping with three different women. It’s, like, f***ed up.
“When guys cheat, we want something new. But then your woman finds out, and now she’s new. She’s never the same again. So, now you got new, but you got bad new. You got bad f***ing new, man.”
Chris Rock's N-word vs black people routine
One of Chris Rock’s most famous routines utilised the N-word heavily to make his point.
The 1996 bit was a success and helped to launch his standup career to new heights.
Speaking to CBS’ 60 Minutes, Rock explained how the wrong people had started to exploit it amid worries that it might have justified racists’ views.
He said: “I've never done that joke again, ever, and I probably never will.
"'Cause some people that were racist thought they had license to say n-----. So, I'm done with that routine."
The routine was later referenced by former US president Barack Obama, who used a message from Rock's routine during a speech about people going to jail.
Obama said: “Chris Rock had a routine. He said some — too many of our men, they’re proud, they brag about doing things they’re supposed to do. They say “Well, I- I’m not in jail.” Well you’re not supposed to be in jail!”
Chris Rock's opposition to cancel culture
Chris Rock has in the past spoken out against cancel culture.
Speaking at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, he said: “If it was five years ago, I could say something really offensive and funny right now, but I can’t do that anymore, so… hey!”
Speaking on the Breakfast Club radio programme, Rock went one step further.
He said: “It’s weird when you’re a comedian because when you’re a comedian when the audience doesn’t laugh, we get the message. You don’t really have to cancel us because we get the message. They’re not laughing.
“Some people need to be looked out for,” he continued, “I definitely understand that.
“What happens is everybody gets safe and when everybody gets safe and nobody tries anything, things get boring.
“Everybody’s scared to make a move.”
