Will Smith Punches Over Wife's Appearance Joke... Tears at Best Actor Award Speech

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] Actor Will Smith caused a shocking incident by storming the Oscar stage and slapping the face of the presenter.

Comedian and actor Chris Rock took the stage as the presenter for the Best Documentary Feature award at the 94th Academy Awards held on the 28th (Korean time) at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, USA.

Standing in front of the microphone, Chris Rock looked at the audience and lightened the mood with a joke. He said to Javier Bardem, "It must be hard to play the husband role today. You and your wife Penelope Cruz are both nominated for Best Actor, but if your wife doesn't win, you shouldn't either."

Then Chris Rock made a joke about the shaved head appearance of Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith's wife, suggesting she should star in the movie 'G.I. Jane.' Actress Demi Moore had appeared with a shaved head in that film.

Will Smith smiled but suddenly went up on stage and punched Chris Rock on the cheek.

Flustered Chris Rock tried to ease the situation with laughter, saying, "You just gave me a slap and left," but Will Smith shouted from the audience, "Don't mention my wife's name," and uttered harsh profanity. Chris then explained, "I was just talking about the movie."

Jada Pinkett Smith had previously confessed in 2018 to experiencing hair loss due to health issues. It has been pointed out that making a light joke about his wife's appearance was excessive.

Interpreter and host Ahn Hyun-mo, who was in charge of the domestic broadcast, pointed out, "The intensity of the joke was a bit strong. It seems Will Smith was upset because one of his wife's names was mentioned."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On that day, Will Smith of 'King Richard' won the Best Actor award, beating Javier Bardem of 'Being the Ricardos,' Benedict Cumberbatch of 'The Power of the Dog,' Andrew Garfield of 'Tick, Tick... Boom!,' and Denzel Washington of 'The Tragedy of Macbeth

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