Chris Rock won't be pressing charges after an altercation with Will Smith at last night's Oscars ceremony.
That's according to the LA Police Department as they confirmed that Rock refused to file a complaint against the Oscar-winning Best Actor after he slapped him during the awards ceremony.
The comedian, who played iconic characters such as Kurt McKenzie in Grown Ups and voiced Mart the Zebra in Madagascar, was making his speech/monologue when presenting the Best Documentary Oscar award.
Everyone at the Oscar’s when Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock on national television #Oscars pic.twitter.com/VX7EzFyJ22
— LORRAKON (@LORRAKON) March 28, 2022
During this, Rock made a joke about the King Richard actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, where he said:
"Jada, I love ya, G.I Jane II, can't wait to see it", to which Will laughed at first while Jada didn't take it as a joke as Rock alluded to her bald head.
Jada suffers from alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.
Smith rose from his seat, slapped Chris Rock, sat down and said:
"Keep my wife's name out yo f**** mouth".
The Full Uncensored video of Will Smith’s altercation with Chris Rock at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/cGQ3plSEiz
— Movies (@moreoffilms) March 28, 2022
Smith apologised in his acceptance speech for Best Actor - moments after slapping the comedian on stage.
In his acceptance speech, he said that fellow actor Denzel Washington told him, "At your highest moment, be careful. That’s when the devil comes for you."
Best Actor in a Leading Role goes to Will Smith for his incredible performance in 'King Richard' Congratulations! #Oscars pic.twitter.com/y0UTX48214
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
The Academy Awards have come out and condemned Smith's actions.
In a statement, they said:
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.
The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world.— The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022
Among the other award winners, Best Picture went to Coda while Kenneth Branagh won Best Original Screenplay for "Belfast".
Jane Campion's become the third woman to win Best Director, taking home the prize for The Power Of The Dog.
