Smith, who won his first Oscar for King Richard, appeared to take offense at a gag order Rock made about Pinkett Smith’s cropped haircut.
The Magic Mike XXL star and Red Table Talk host has previously opened up about her experiences with hair loss and said it was what prompted her to shave her head.
Referring to Pinkett Smith’s buzzcut, Rock said, “Jada, I can’t wait for GI Jane 2,” prompting the actress to roll her eyes.
(PENNSYLVANIA)
However, Smith took the stage and appeared to punch Rock before returning to his seat and yelling twice, “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth.”
Rock appeared shocked and flustered as he attempted to resume presenting the best documentary feature category.
He said, “It was the greatest night in television history.”
He presented the award to The Roots star Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for his film Summer Of Soul.
After Rock left the stage, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appeared and said, “Will and Chris, we’re going to work this out like a family at the gold party.”
The incident cast a cloud over Smith’s acceptance speech for his first ever Oscar, after he was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard.
Watch: Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars after he took offense at a joke he told about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith https://t.co/Or2veMdKpb pic.twitter.com/Ed7XmDDsvU
– TIME TIME) March 28, 2022
Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock, as he collected his gong, joking that he “looked like the mad dad”.
Breaking down in tears, he said: “Richard Williams was a fierce advocate for his family.
“At this time in my life, right now, I am overwhelmed with what God is calling me to do and be in this world.”
He added: “I am called in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river for my people.
“I know to do what we do, you have to be able to take abuse, you have to be able to have people talk about you like crazy in this business.
“You have to be able to have people disrespect you and you have to smile and pretend it’s OK.”
He added: “I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all of my fellow nominees.
“It’s a beautiful moment and I’m not crying about winning an award, it’s not about winning an award for me, it’s about being able to shine a light on everyone.”
He continued: “Art imitates life, I look like the crazy dad, just like they said about Richard Williams, but love will make you do crazy things.”
After paying tribute to his mother and family, he added, “Thank you for this honor, thank you for this moment…I hope the Academy invites me back.”
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
This notice was published: 2022-03-28 08:32:20
