Will Smith ‘slaps’ Chris Rock at Oscars 2022
Published on Mar 28, 2022 at 11:22 AM (UTC+4)
by Louise Cheer
Last updated on Jan 02, 2023 at 12:06 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Actor Will Smith has shocked the star-studded Oscars audience after appearing to slap comedian Chris Rock, who had made a comment about the actor’s wife.
The King Richard star, who later nabbed his first Oscar for best actor, was angered after Rock took a jab at Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head.
Pinkett Smith has previously spoken out about her struggles with alopecia, a condition which causes hair loss.
In a moment that has become the major talking point of this year’s Oscars, Smith stormed the stage and lashed out at Rock after the comedian remarked Pinkett Smith could be in G.I. Jane with her shaved head.
The crowd of Hollywood stars were stunned by the move, unsure whether or not it was a joke.
But it soon became apparent Smith had taken offence to the comment as he yelled: “Keep my wife’s name out of your [expletive] mouth.”
The actor later apologised to the Academy during his tearful Oscar acceptance speech.
“I want to apologise to the Academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people,” he said.
“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams.”
The Academy later tweeted it “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,” it said.
READ MORE: Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan team up for I Am Legend sequel
List of Oscar winners
Actor in a leading role: Will Smith, King Richard
Actor in a supporting role: Troy Kotsur, CODA
Actress in a leading role: Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Actress in a supporting role: Ariana Debose, West Side Story
Animated feature film: Encanto
Cinematography: Greig Fraser, Dune
Costume design: Jenny Beavan, Cruella
Directing: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Documentary (short subject): The Queen of Basketball
Film editing: Joe Walker, Dune
International feature film: Drive My Car
Makeup and hairstyling: Linda Dowds, Stephanie Ingram and Justin Raleigh; The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Music (original score): Hans Zimmer, Dune
Music (original song): Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, No Time To Die
Best picture: CODA
Production design: Patrice Vermette and Zsuzsanna Sipos, Dune
Short film (animated): The Windshield Wiper
Short film (live action): The Long Goodbye
Sound: Mac Ruth, Mark Mangini, Theo Green, Doug Hemphill and Ron Bartlett; Dune
Visual effects: Paul Lambert, Tristan Myles, Brian Connor and Gerd Nefzer; Dune
Writing (adapted screenplay): Siân Heder, CODA
Writing (original screenplay): Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
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Louise Cheer oversees and writes stories about the latest headlines on topics such as automotive, technology, gaming, watches, movies and lifestyle. Louise has been a news editor at Yahoo and Daily Mail in Australia, with more than 10 years of experience in the media industry.
