At the 2022 Oscars, actor and comedian Chris Rock made a jest while presenting an award. He humorously commented about various celebrity couples in attendance, including actor Will Smith and actress Jada Pinkett Smith.
Rock quipped, “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya,” alluding to Pinkett Smith’s disclosure of her battle with alopecia, a condition causing hair loss, likened by Rock to a soldier with a shaved head.
In response to the joke, Smith left his seat, approached the stage, and slapped Rock across the face. He then returned to his seat and admonished Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out your f—ing mouth!” Despite the altercation, Rock proceeded with the award presentation.
Chris Rock Declines to File Police Report After Will Smith Slaps Him at 2022 Oscars, LAPD Confirms https://t.co/6Vq6cRUjYc
— People (@people) March 28, 2022
Later during the event, Smith, upon winning Best Actor for his role in “King Richard,” apologized for his actions. He acknowledged his behavior, saying, “Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like they said about Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
Expressing gratitude, Smith thanked the Academy and reflected on the importance of love and family. He ended by expressing hope for future recognition from the Academy.
After the ceremony, authorities questioned both Rock and Smith, with Rock opting not to file a report or press charges.
(function() {
var loaded = false;
var loadFB = function() {
if (loaded) return;
loaded = true;
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.0”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));
};
setTimeout(loadFB, 0);
document.body.addEventListener(‘bimberLoadFbSdk’, loadFB);
})();