Will Smith (53) apparently owes it to Chris Rock (57) that he was able to receive his Oscar personally. Los Angeles police were on the scene during Sunday’s film awards ceremony and were ready to arrest the actor. He had punched Chris Rock in the face on stage.
The only reason the cops didn’t do anything was because Rock refused to press charges, Will Packer (47), the producer of the Oscar ceremony, said on the ABC show “Good Morning America”. According to excerpts from the interview, Packer said “bodily harm” was a word they were using at the time. “They said we’re going to get him. We’re ready to get him right now,” Packer added.
That had happened
During the live show, Smith came onto the Oscar stage from the audience after Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife and slapped the comedian in the face. Less than an hour later, Will Smith delivered a tearful acceptance speech onstage as he accepted the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in King Richard.
Meanwhile, behind the scenes, Packer said police were discussing options with Chris Rock. However, the comedian rejected everything and said that he was fine.
Rock had made a joke about Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith (50), before the slap. Rock joked that Pinkett Smith is probably preparing for the sequel to The Jane Files. An obvious nod to the actress having her head shaved. The 1997 film starred Demi Moore (59) with her hair shaved off. Jada Pinkett Smith has long suffered from a disease-related hair loss, alopecia, which she made public in 2018.
Sorry only after a day
In his acceptance speech, Will Smith then apologized to the Academy and the other nominees, but not to Chris Rock. The actor caught up on this a day later on Instagram.
The Oscar winner published a post on Monday. “Violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive,” Will Smith wrote in it. “My behavior at the Oscars last night was unacceptable and inexcusable.”
“Jokes at my expense are part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s health was too much for me and I reacted emotionally,” Will Smith explained in the post. “I want to apologize to you publicly, Chris. I was wrong and I was wrong.” He was embarrassed, said the 53-year-old. His actions didn’t reflect the man he wants to be. “In a world of love and kindness there is no room for violence.”
Smith also apologized again to the Oscar Academy, the show’s producers, the people watching both in person and at home, and the people who worked with him on the movie King Richard. In the end, he explained in the Instagram post that he still had a lot to work on.
The Oscar Academy has now initiated disciplinary proceedings against the actor. Smith could now face a suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.
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