
The slap heard ‘round the world. Will Smith stunned the star-studded audience — and everyone watching at home — when he took to the stage and smacked Chris Rock across the face after the comedian made a “joke” about Jada pinkett Smith’s hair loss at the 2022 Oscars on Sunday, March 27.
“Jada, I love you,” the comedian said from the stage, quipping, “G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” referring to the actress’ buzzed head, as G.I. JaneStar Demi MooreA similar style was worn by Pinkett Smith. Pinkett Smith, 50 has been open about her hair loss due to alopecia.
The Smiths were able to see the camera as it cut to them. King Richard star, 53 — who later won the Oscar for best actor — seemed to smile at Rock’s joke, while Pinkett Smith intensely rolled her eyes. Although Smith initially seemed to be okay with the joke, he quickly walked upstage and slapped Pinkett Smith. Longest YardActor, 57, across his face. Once he returned to his seat, he yelled, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f–king mouth.”
“Wow. Will Smith just smacked the s–t outta me,” Rock said to the audience before returning to handing out the award for best documentary.
The other part of the Bel-Air: The Fresh Prince alum later referenced — and apologized for — the altercation in his speech when accepting his Oscar for King Richard.

Chris Rock and Will Smith Rob Latour/Shutterstock
“Oh, man. Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family,” Smith said, relating his behavior to that of Serena Venus Williams’ father, the role he played in the film. “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. To do what we do, one must be able to take abuse. You must be able to make people rave about you. You have to be able and willing to let people disrespect you in this industry. And you got to smile, you got to pretend like that’s OK.”
The 7 Pounds actor also apologized to several people for his behavior — though not explicitly to Rock.
“I want to apologize to the academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees,” he added. “Art imitates life: I look like the crazy father. Just like Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things.”
Later, he apologized to the presenter directly in a lengthy statement. “I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,” Smith wrote via Instagram on March 28. “I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed by my actions, which are not indicative the man I want. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”
Stars who were both in attendance and watching at home had a lot to say about the drama — from Rock’s “joke” to Smith’s slap. Scroll down to see how celebrities responded to the incident.