Smith later apologized repeatedly for his actions. The Oscar-winning organizer wrote on Twitter that he “does not approve of any form of violence.”
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During the evening, comedian Rock entertained the guests in the hall with numerous jokes. Addressing Pinkett-Smith, he joked that he was looking forward to the role in the sequel to GI Jane. He thus referred to her haircut, which was also available to actress Demi Moore as the lead actress in the aforementioned 1997 film.
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However, the joke turned out to be out of place because Smith’s wife suffers from alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss.
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Will Smith slaps Chris Rock.
Foto: Brian Snyder, Reuters
Smith slapped Rock first, then shouted at him twice from his seat, “Don’t take my wife’s name in your ugly mouth!”
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Smith then apologized for his behavior when he went on stage to receive the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams, the father of famous tennis players. “Richard Williams was a staunch protector of his family,” Smith said in a thank-you speech, apparently referring to an incident that, according to the media, marked the atmosphere in the Dolby Theater.
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No criminal notice
The actor then apologized to the film academy and expressed the hope that he would invite him to the golden statuettes next year.
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Jada Pinkett-Smith with Will Smith at this year’s Oscars.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
“The Academy does not tolerate violence in any form. Tonight we will be happy to celebrate our 94th Oscar winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their colleagues and film lovers from all over the world, “the organizer wrote on Twitter.
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Rock did not file a criminal complaint against Smith, according to AFP, Los Angeles police said.
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Rock has moderated the Oscars twice, in 2005 the audience rated him as average. In 2016, Rock, who is black, accused the academy of not representing enough dark-skinned people in the awards.
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This year’s Oscar for Best Picture was won by In the Rhythm of the Heart, for Best Actor in the Leading Role of Will Smith, and Jessica Chastain won among the actresses. Jane Campion received an Oscar for Best Director for the psychological western The Power of a Dog.
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