This is the moment Will Smith slapped Oscars presenter Chris Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s haircut. The actress has previously spoken about her struggles with alopecia which prompted her to shave her head.
She rolled her eyes when Rock referred to her, saying: “Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2”, but Smith walked up on stage striking him in the face before returning to his seat and shouting twice: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth.”
A flustered Rock said: “Wow dude. It was a GI Jane joke” before he continued presenting the best documentary feature category.
Forty minutes later a tearful Smith received his first ever Oscar when he was named best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
Smith apologised to both the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock, as he collected his gong.
Breaking down in tears, he said: “Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family. In this time in my life, in this moment, I am overwhelmed by what God is calling me to do and be in this world.” He added: “I’m 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’ve got to be able to take abuse, you’ve got to be able to have people talk crazy about you in this business. You’ve got to be able have people disrespecting you and you’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.” He added: “Art imitates life, I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams, but love will make you do crazy things.”
After paying tribute to his family he added: “I hope the Academy invites me back.” After the incident Smith was seen being comforted and spoken to by Denzel Washington, actor-producer Tyler Perry and Bradley Cooper.
The actor was later joined by Pinkett Smith and their three children as they posed for photographers at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. At the party, Smith tried to brush off the controversy by dancing with friends and rapping along to his hits including Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.
There has been speculation that Smith might have to hand back his Oscar if the Academy rules he breached its code of conduct but so far they have only said they do not “condone violence”.
A tweet on the official Academy account said: “The Academy does not condone violence of any form. Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.”
The LA Police Department said Rock had “declined to file a police report” but said it would investigate if he changes his mind. Smith’s actions prompted gasps from the audience.
Director Judd Apatow called it “pure out of control rage and violence” while producer Marshall Herskovitz tweeted: “I call upon the Academy, of which I am a member, to take disciplinary action against Will Smith.”
It is not the first time Rock has poked fun at Smith — at the 2016 ceremony he made a jibe about Pinkett-Smith boycotting the Oscars when her husband was not nominated for Concussion, saying her stand was “like me boycotting Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t invited”. Two years later, when Smith posted a birthday message to his ex-wife, Rock commented: “Wow. You have a very understanding wife”.
Smith and Pinkett-Smith have been reported to be in an open relationship, prompting Smith to insist there’s “never been infidelity’”in their marriage.
