Will Smith punched Chris Rock in the face on live television during the 94th Academy Awards after the stand-up comedian made a bad joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith, who is up for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his performance in King Richard, was not happy when Rock made a joke about his wife’s hair
“Jada, I love you, G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said, pointing at the actress, who was seen rolling her eyes. “That was a nice one okay.”
“Uh oh,” Rock said as he seen Smith exit his set in the star-studded audience and made his way to the stage, approaching the stand-up comedian.
When Smith got to the stage, he didn’t say anything to Rock, but he was clearly upset at the jokes he made about his wife. Smith then punched Rock in the face.
“Oh wow, Wow, Will Smith just….” Rock said before ABC Network muted his commentary, momentarily stopping the show’s production, however, TMZ obtained the full clip, which finds Rock saying, “Will Smith just smacked the shit out of me.”
Smith then swiftly returned to his seat, where he was seen yelling at Rock, “keep my wife’s name out of your fuc*ing mouth.”
“Wow dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke,” Rock replied. “I’m going to okay?”
Watch the situation unfold in the clip below.
Host Regina Hall Poked Fun At The Smith’s Open Relationship Earlier In The Show
Earlier in the show, host Regina Hall poked fun at Will and Jada Pinket Smith’s open relationship.
Hall joked that she needed select audience members for health tests that had been “lost.” She then called on actors Bradley Cooper, Simu Liu and Timothée Chalamet up to join her on stage. After they took the stage, it was evident that the only people “missing tests” were her Hollywood crushes, who are all single.
She then called on Will Smith, saying “Will Smith, you’re married, but you’re on the list,” before throwing shade on their open relationship, adding “Looks like Jada approved it!”
“Get on up here,” Hall said with a laugh. Smith, who was shown on camera in the audience, made an awkward face and did not abide by her wishes and instead stayed in his seat.
Billie Eilish and FINNEAS (“No Time To Die”), Reba McEntire (“Somehow You Do”), Beyoncé (“Be Alive”), Sebastián Yatra (“Dos Oruguitas”), Becky G, Luis Fonsi and the cast of Encanto (“We Don’t Talk About Bruno”) also performed during the coveted awards show.
Co-hosted by Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes, the 94th Academy Awards aired on Sunday, March 27 at 8/7c on ABC.