Actor Will Smith and his mother Carolyn
(Picture: Getty Images)Will Smith’s mother has admitted she was shocked after her son slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.
The King Richard star, 53, sparked controversy after he stormed the stage and smacked the comedian for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle.
Carolyn Smith said it was the first time she had ever seen her son “go off” like that in her life.
She told 6abc: "He is a very even, people person. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen him go off. First time in his lifetime... I’ve never seen him do that."
The actor later won the Oscar for best actor for his role as Richard Williams, father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in the acclaimed biopic King Richards.
"I know how he works, how hard he works...I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting. When I heard the name, I was just, ‘Yes!’" said the actor’s mother.
His younger sister Ellen Smith, 50, told the Philadelphia news station she is confident he would overcome the current drama.
“I’ve had conversations with him, and it like really kind of broke my heart listening to the things he’s said he had to go through to get to where he is,” she said.
The Hollywood actor later issued a public apology to Chris Rock on social media.
He called his own behaviour at the Academy Awards “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
Smith added the joke about his wife’s medical condition had caused him to react “emotionally” but “violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive”.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the actor said: “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.”
The Academy has launched a formal review into the altercation.
In a statement on Monday, the film academy said: “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at last night’s show.
“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.”
