Oscar-nominated director Jim Sheridan has branded Will Smith a “bit of idiot” for slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars stage – but said he doesn’t believe the Academy should take his gong off him.
Smith won his first Oscar at the Academy Awards on Sunday night for best actor for his role in biopic King Richard.
But just minutes before Smith won the prestigious award, he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage and got into a verbal altercation with the star after Rock took aim at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss as part of a G.I. Jane joke.
READ MORE: Jim Sheridan in mourning after passing of wife Fran
He swore at the funnyman as he left the stage, telling him to “keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth”, and later apologised for his angry outburst during his speech as he accepted his first-ever Academy Award.
But six-time Oscar nominated Jim said Smith was an “idiot” for slapping Rock – but didn’t believe he should have his award taken from him.
The My Left Foot director said: “I think he’s a bit of an idiot, don’t you?
“It’s not a boxing match, he’s not Mohammed Ali.
“I don’t think what he (Chris) said was too much. I think Will lost the head for no reason, but I think that he may have been afraid that Chris would go on and say worse.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which organises the Oscars, tweeted that it "does not condone violence of any form".
Rock's joke referred to 1997 film GI Jane, in which Demi Moore played the title role with a severe buzzcut.
Pinkett Smith rolled her eyes at the comment, while Smith appeared to initially laugh and clap his hands before he was seen on stage, walking up to Rock.
The comedian looked stunned in the immediate aftermath of the incident, but told the audience: "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
He is yet to comment further on what happened.
The Los Angeles Police Department later told Variety that Rock had "declined to file a police report" following the event.
Asked if he should have his award taken from him, Jim said: “No, I don’t think so.”
“Chris Rock did almost end the career of Jude Law years ago.”
Jim was referring to when Rock hosted the Oscars in 2005, Rock diminished the star wattage of Jude Law, Tobey Maguire and Colin Farrell.
“You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law? Wait. It’s not the same thing. Who is Jude Law?” Rock said.
Sean Penn defended Law from the stage that night, saying: “Forgive my lack of humor,” Penn said. “Jude Law is one of our most talented actors.”
“It was a thing that didn’t do Jude Law any good,” Jim told us.
“And where did we get all this that every time you go to an awards show, you have to behave like Chris and you have to give out about actors because they are not real people. Where does that come from?”
The row overshadowed most of the wins that night – including Kenneth Branagh’s win for best original screenplay for Belfast.
Kenneth has notched up eight Oscar nominations over four decades of acting, writing and directing, spanning seven different award categories, itself a record, but until this year had always come away empty-handed.
He finally won his first Oscar on Sunday night at the 94th Academy Awards.
Collecting the statue, he said: “This is an enormous honour for my family and a great tribute to an amazing city and fantastic people.
“This story is the search for joy and hope in the face of violence and loss.
“We lost some people along the way.
“We miss them, we love them and we will never forget them and we will never forget all of those lost in the heartbreaking, heart-warming human story of that amazing city of Belfast on the fabulous island of Ireland.
“This means a lot.”
Jim said he was delighted for Kenneth, who he has known since the pair first were both nominated 32 years ago in 1989's when Branagh was nominated for Henry V.
He said: “It was great. Kenneth is very good. Maybe it only tells the Protestant side of the side – but sure that is good as well.
“I knew him from back then. We both got nominated together the first year, I know him from then,” added Jim.
Kenneth was the only Irish win, with his film Belfast failing to win best picture and director, while Kerry actress Jessie Buckley missed out on best supporting actress for her role in The Lost Daughter.
And Ciarán Hinds missed out for best supporting actor in Belfast, the film missed out on original song and achievement in sound.
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.
