Pictures appear to show Will Smith being 'calmed down' by fellow actor Bradley Cooper after he stormed to the stage at the Oscars. Smith, 53, has become the talk of the 94th Academy Awards but not because he picked up his first gong at the star-studded ceremony.
A-list onlookers and those watching around the world were left stunned when the Men In Black star waltzed up onto the stage and appeared to hit Chris Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith appeared to take offence at a gag comedian Rock made about his wife's haircut. Red Table Talk host Pinkett Smith has previously spoken about her struggles with alopecia and said it is what prompted her to shave her head.
Rock said: "Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2," prompting the actress to roll her eyes. However, Smith was soon seen walking up on stage and appeared to hit Rock in the face in front of the star-studded audience at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
He then returned to his seat before shouting twice: "Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth," as a flustered and clearly stunned Rock tried to resume presenting the best documentary feature category.
The gobsmacking incident came just minutes before Smith was named best actor at the ceremony. After being named best actor for his performance as the father of tennis star Serena Williams and her sister Venus in King Richard, Smith used his acceptance speech to apologise to the Academy and "all my fellow nominees" – but not Rock.
Pictures from inside the theatre have shown A Star is Born star actor Bradley approaching the married father-of-two and placing his hands on his shoulders before entering into what looked like an intense situation. Another picture then showed the pair sharing an embrace.
Smith was later seen celebrating his award win with Pinkett-Smith, and his children Willow, Jaden and Trey Smith with the family posing for the awaiting photographers on the Oscars blue carpet. He was also seen grinning from ear-to-ear alongside Saniyya Sidney as they attended the Vanity Fair Oscar Party held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills.
It is reported that Smith just posed for the cameras and didn't speak to any of the waiting press following his on-stage bust-up. The actor and rapper was later filmed on the dancefloor, clutching his Oscar while performing a rendition of his 1998 hit Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It.
Following the debacle, son Jaden, 23, tweeted: "And That’s How We Do It" after his father’s on-stage altercation and later told his followers that his father’s acceptance speech had made him cry.
The Academy has since issued a statement, posted on Twitter, which read: "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 Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said no report had yet been filed with the force following the altercation. "LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards programme," a spokesperson for the force told the PA news agency.
"The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report."
