In a night that's usually all about Hollywood patting itself on the back, Will Smith walked on stage and smacked comedian Chris Rock across the face because of a joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Rock, who was at the microphone, made a G.I. Jane joke about Pinkett Smith due to her shaved head; Pinkett Smith has the hair loss disorder alopecia.
Smith hopped up on stage and slapped Rock across the face before walking off. Rock quipped, "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me." Smith then twice shouted, "Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth." The sound was cut out for this moment in the American broadcast, but it aired uncensored in some international markets. See it play out below.
All indications are that the moment was unscripted and not part of the show. Rock was visibly shaken by the confrontation, but didn't seem seriously hurt.
According to reports, an upset Smith was consoled by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry.
Later, Smith won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. In his speech, he revealed what Washington had told him: "In your highest moments, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."
Revisit the worst and best moments of the 2022 Academy Awards here.
Rock, who was at the microphone, made a G.I. Jane joke about Pinkett Smith due to her shaved head; Pinkett Smith has the hair loss disorder alopecia.
Smith hopped up on stage and slapped Rock across the face before walking off. Rock quipped, "Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me." Smith then twice shouted, "Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth." The sound was cut out for this moment in the American broadcast, but it aired uncensored in some international markets. See it play out below.
All indications are that the moment was unscripted and not part of the show. Rock was visibly shaken by the confrontation, but didn't seem seriously hurt.
According to reports, an upset Smith was consoled by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry.
Later, Smith won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard. In his speech, he revealed what Washington had told him: "In your highest moments, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."
Revisit the worst and best moments of the 2022 Academy Awards here.