Hollywood actor Will Smith hit Chris Rock on the face after the comedian made fun of the actor’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith during Oscar Award ceremony on Sunday.
“Jada, can’t wait for GI Jane 2,” Chris Rock said while referring to her shaved hairdo, a result of hair loss condition alopecia.
Angered by his joke, Smith walked up to the stage and hit Chris Rock. The incident left the audience shocked. Before returning to his seat, he shouted: “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth.”
He later apologized on stage. “I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” he said during a tearful acceptance speech for best actor.
Will Smith got the first Oscar of his career for playing the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams in King Richard. Will Smith seemed to be laughing at first but Jada seemed uncomfortable with the joke that perhaps triggered Smith to go on stage and smack Chris Rock.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
Chris Rock looked stunned after being hit by Will Smith. Following the incident, he commented: “That was the greatest night in the history of television.”
Here's the moment Chris Rock made a "G.I. Jane 2" joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, prompting Will Smith to punch him and yell, "Leave my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth." #Oscars pic.twitter.com/kHTZXI6kuL
— Variety (@Variety) March 28, 2022
Chris Rock refuses to file complaint
According to the Los Angeles Police, Chris Rock has refused to file a complaint against Will Smith.
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The entertainment reporters have called the incident ‘real’ and not ‘scripted’. “During the commercial break, Will Smith is pulled aside and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry, who motion for him to brush it off. Will appears to wipe tears from his eyes as he sits back down with Jada, with Denzel comforting Jada and Will’s rep by his side,” wrote Scott Feinberg.
The video of the incident has been making rounds on social media. The actor is receiving mixed views. Some say he did wrong for losing his cool while some appreciated him for defending his wife.