Hollywood star Will Smith hit comedian Chris Rock across the face over a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Chris Rock had taken the stage to present the award for Best Documentary Feature. He then made a joke about Wil Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada Pinkett recently shared her struggle with a hair loss condition.
Said Rock:
“Jada I love you, G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it”
He was likening Jada’s condition to that of Demi Moore’s in the film G.I. Jane, in which she appears with a bald head.
Initially, Will Smith seemed to laugh at the joke but Jada’s face showed she wasn’t amused at it. Will Smith then walked onto the stage at hit Chris Rock across the face and walked off.
Chris Rock then said “Will Smith just smacked the s— out of me. Wow, dude it was a G.I. Jane joke”. Will Smith then shouted from his seat “Keep my wife’s name out of your f—ing mouth.” Rock responded: “I’m going to, okay?”
VIA JAPANESE TELEVISION: The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock pic.twitter.com/j0Z184ZyXa
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 28, 2022
After the commercial break, Sean Combs addressed both actors and stressed that they needed to “solve it like family” after the show.
Later, after receiving his award for Best Actor, on stage Will Smith apologized for his behaviour with tears streaming down his eyes.
Jada Pinkett shared about her struggle with hair loss in December.