Actor Will Smith has apologised to Chris Rock and Oscars viewers a day after slapping the comedian on stage at the Academy Awards.
Taking to Instagram, Smith said his behaviour was "inexcusable".
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive," he wrote.
"My behaviour at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.
"I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris," he added.
"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."
Smith confronted Rock on the stage and hit him in the face after the comedian made a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Rock suggested Pinkett Smith, who as alopecia — a hair loss condition — would be starring in a sequel to GI Jane, the movie for which Demi Moore shaved her head.
Referring to the joke in his apology, Smith said it was "too much to bear".
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today said it condemned Smith's actions and was investigating the incident.
"We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law," the Academy added.
It was not immediately clear how the review would be carried out or when it would be completed.
Fifty-three-year-old Smith added apologies to the Academy, producers of the telecast, attendees, and also the family of Venus and Serena Willams, whose father he portrayed in King Richard, in his Instagram post.
"I am a work in progress," Smith said.
Smith appeared to defend assault during Oscars speech
Smith went on to win the Best Actor award for King Richard later in the evening, after the incident.
During his acceptance speech, he indirectly acknowledged the altercation but did not apologise to Rock.
Instead, he appeared to defend his actions, saying "love will make you do crazy things".
"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said.
"In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling on me to do and be in this world.
"I am being called on in my life to love people and to protect people, and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse and you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you.
"In this business, you've gotta have people disrespecting you, and you've got to smile and pretend that's OK.
"Denzel (Washington) said to me a few minutes ago, 'At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you'.
"I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family for entrusting me with your story. That's what I want to do. I want to be an ambassador for that kind of love, and care and concern.
"I want to apologise to the Academy, I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees.
"Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.
"Hoping the Academy invites me back."
Reuters
