Will Smith Slaps Presenter During Academy Awards Live Broadcast... Enraged by Wife's Taunt

Actor Will Smith slapping Chris Rock and swearing during the Oscars ceremony was broadcast live to the world. Photo by AFP, Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Hollywood actor Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock and cursed at the Academy Awards, a scene broadcast live worldwide.

On the 27th (local time) at the Dolby Theatre in LA, California, USA, during the 94th Academy Awards, Will Smith, who won Best Actor, became angry at the host's joke just before receiving the award on stage.

That day, American actor and comedian Chris Rock took the stage as the presenter for the Best Documentary Feature award. Chris Rock made jokes directed at Javier Bardem, Will Smith, and others before announcing the award.

Chris Rock said to Javier Bardem, "It must be tough playing the husband role here today. You and your wife Penelope Cruz are both nominated for Best Actor and Actress. If your wife doesn't win, Javier Bardem shouldn't either."

Then his joke turned to Will Smith and his wife. Chris Rock mocked Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, mentioning her shaved head hairstyle and said, "Looking forward to the sequel of 'G.I. Jane.'"

At that moment, Will Smith suddenly went up on the Oscar stage and punched Chris Rock on the cheek.

Chris Rock said, "You just slapped me and then sat down," and Will Smith, returning to his seat, said, "Don't ever mention my wife's name like that," and cursed, saying "Fuxxxxx."

Chris Rock explained, "It was a joke based on the movie 'G.I. Jane.' You made TV history's greatest night. I was just watching Netflix while drunk."

Hollywood actor Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Regarding this, TV Chosun host Ahn Hyun-mo, who was broadcasting the Academy Awards, explained, "Chris Rock's joke was a bit harsh. It seems Will Smith got angry because it mentioned his wife Jada Smith's hairstyle. Jada Pinkett Smith has recently been struggling with hair loss."

Film critic Lee Dong-jin emphasized, "'G.I. Jane' featured Demi Moore with a shaved head, so the joke about that hairstyle probably made her angry. It's understandable to be upset, but assaulting someone live on air is unacceptable."

Meanwhile, Will Smith won Best Actor for portraying Richard Williams, the father who raised the tennis champion sisters, in the movie 'King Richard.' Holding the trophy, he said, "Richard Williams was a passionate supporter of his family. Art imitates life. Even if the world calls Richard a 'crazy father,' it was out of love for his family," and expressed hope that "the Academy will invite me again."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.