A Twitter user with the handle @willsmith has been bombarded with abuse after an incident at the Oscars which saw actor Will Smith slap comedian Chris Rock across the face.
Rock had been hosting the show when he made a joke directed at Will Smith's wife Jade Pinkett Smith. He said: "Jada, I love you. GI Jane 2, can’t wait to see you" - in reference to her shaved head, something she last year announced was due to her being diagnosed with alopecia. GI Jane starred Demi Moore as a woman trying to join the Navy Seals and the actor sported a 'buzz cut' in the film.
But King Richard actor Will Smith did not take well to the joke and shocked Hollywood at the glittering awards ceremony as he got up from his seat, took to the stage and slapped the comedian. You can read more about that by clicking here. Get stories like this straight to your inbox with our newsletters.
The incident set social media alight with discussions both condemning and praising the actor's actions, and many wanted to send their thoughts directly to the actor, tagging @willsmith in their messages. But whilst he is the most famous man in the world to carry the name, the person behind the account thousands directed their messages to was another Will Smith entirely - a San Francisco dad who makes podcasts and video games for a living.
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Responding to the messages he received, Mr Smith wrote: "Real talk, I’m not the person you’re upset/happy with. I make podcasts and video games for a living. At the risk of making people p***** off at me instead of that other guy, the world would be a better place if we stopped answering words with violence."
Here is his tweet...
The actor has since apologised for his actions. You can read more about that by clicking here. In an Instagram post issued on Monday afternoon US time - the early hours of Tuesday morning UK time - Mr Smith said: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
"I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness. I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress. Sincerely, Will."
Will Smith isn't the first Twitter user to get mixed-up with a more famous counterpart. American man John Lewis, who is routinely mistaken for the national retailer on Twitter, has to stave off the confusion every year at Christmas time, as the store releases its popular Christmas adverts. The computer science teacher, who uses the handle @JohnLewis, receives hundreds of tweets each year intended for the shop. You can read more about that by clicking here.
