Will Smith hits Chris Rock on stage at Oscars, before winning best actor Academy Award for King Richard
- Smith storms onto the stage at the Dolby Theatre and smacks Rock hard with an open hand after Rock joked about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith
- I’m hoping the Academy invites me back, the actor says to close his acceptance speech for the best actor Oscar for his role as Richard Williams in King Richard
Best actor nominee Will Smith smacked presenter Chris Rock in the face with an open hand and shouted a vulgarity at the comedian for making a joke about his wife’s appearance at the Oscars ceremony on Sunday.
Rock made a joke about the hairstyle of Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith that referenced the movie G.I. Jane, in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head.
Smith, who is nominated for best actor for King Richard, walked on stage and slapped Rock in what at first appeared to be a scripted joke.
But the mood turned sombre moments later when Smith, back in his seat, shouted back, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f*****g mouth.”
Minutes later, Smith was back on stage to accept his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the determined father who raised tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard.