In one of the wildest moments in television history, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock in the face during the 2022 Oscars on Sunday night (March 27) after the comedian poked fun at his wife, Jada Pinkett.
Rock, who was hosting the Academy Awards for the third time, made a G.I. Jane 2 joke about Pinkett, who suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia. Moments later, Will Smith marched on stage and smacked the 57-year-old comic with an open hand.
“Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth!” an angry Smith could be heard yelling after walking back to his seat, to which a stunned Rock replied, “Wow, dude! It was a G.I. Jane joke… I’m going to, ok?”
As the slap was literally heard around the world, the LAPD issued an official statement on the altercation late Sunday, revealing Chris Rock has declined to press charges against Will Smith.
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“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the statement read. “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.”
The Academy itself also issued a statement on Twitter after the awards ceremony wrapped.
“The Academy does not condone violence of any form,” the tweet read. “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 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 Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Shortly after slapping Chris Rock, Will Smith returned to the Oscars stage to accept the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus, in King Richard.
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During his emotional acceptance speech, Smith apologized for his outburst, albeit without mentioning Chris Rock by name. He also saluted Richard Williams for being a “fierce defender of his family,” drawing a parallel to his own duty to protect those he loves.
Will Smith Clocks Chris Rock During The Oscars For Clowning His Wife Jada Pinkett
“I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people,” he said as tears poured down his face. “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 gotta be able to have people disrespecting you and you gotta smile and pretend like that’s ok.
“I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize 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.”
