The Los Angeles Police Department has said that Chris Rock declined to file a police report after being slapped by Will Smith on the Oscar stage.
Rock had made a joke about the actor's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, when he rushed the stage and decked him on live television.
The comedian was presenting the award for best documentary and picking on members of the audience, as comedians often do. He said that he couldn’t wait to see Pinkett Smith star in “G.I. Jane 2,” referencing Demi Moore's shaved head for the 1997 film.
Rock was poking fun at Pinkett Smith's hair cut — a shaved head due to her battle with alopecia.
Smith could be seen initially laughing at the jab, but Pinkett Smith looked enraged.
Moments later, Smith was jumping on the stage to defend her honor. The uncensored exchange between Will Smith and Chris Rock
EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS FOR FUN BUT IT DIDNT SEEMED TO BE..WILL SMITH REALLY LOSES HIS COOL AND SLAPPED CHRIS ROCK..EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE 🤦♂️😭#Oscar #Oscars2022 #OscarsFanFavorite pic.twitter.com/IDScbswCWM
— nishanneymessiajith20 (@nishanneymessi) March 28, 2022
A clearly stunned Rock remained on the stage after being hit while Smith continued to berate him from the crowd for talking about his wife.
The actor was not removed from the venue over the assault.
Minutes later, Smith won the award for best actor — his first ever Oscar. Will Smith’s acceptance speech as he wins his first ever #Oscar pic.twitter.com/qKVTOb7V6Q
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 28, 2022
During his acceptance speech, Smith tearfully apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but notably did not apologize to Rock. Official LAPD statement on the Will Smith x Chris Rock incident:"I want to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern. I want to apologize to the Academy, I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award," Smith said through tears. "It’s not about winning an award for me; it’s about being able to shine a light on all the people … and the entire cast and crew of King Richard and Venus and Serena and the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams! But, love will make you do crazy things."
In a statement about the incident, the LAPD said that if Rock wants to file a report at a later date, he can.
"The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report." pic.twitter.com/cgzD9UPUlF
— Tony • GMA (@THETonyMorrison) March 28, 2022
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report,” the statement said.
