Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock After Slapping Him at Oscars

'I was out of line and I was wrong'

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images

Actor Will Smith has issued an apology to comedian Chris Rock after slapping him at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony, also referred to as the Oscars.

In a statement posted on Instagram on March 28, Smith wrote: “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable.

“Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally,” he wrote of his reaction to Rock’s joke delivered on stage on March 27.

Rock was speaking prior to presenting Best Documentary, and made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

“Jada I love you, ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” Rock said to Pinkett Smith, referring to her shaved head. Shortly following the comment, Smith walked onto the stage and appeared to slap the comedian before he returned to his seat and yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out your [expletive] mouth.”

Pinkett Smith in 2018 said that she was diagnosed with alopecia, an autoimmune skin condition that can result in hair loss.

Smith then won the Academy Award for Best Actor for “King Richard” just minutes after the incident.

“I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong,” Smith said on March 28 on Instagram. “I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

Smith also apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is the group that oversees the Academy Awards ceremony. He directed his apology to the producers of the show, all the attendees, and audience around the world.

“I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” he added. “I am a work in progress.”

The Academy earlier on March 28 issued a statement to condemn Smith’s actions and announced a review, which could potentially result in Smith being suspended from the group.

“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct, and California law,” the statement reads.

Earlier, the Academy said on Twitter that it “does not condone violence in any form.”

The Los Angeles Police Department told outlets that Rock won’t be pressing any charges against Smith.