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The shocking Academy Awards altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock appeared to overshadow Hollywood’s biggest night. After Smith felt Rock disrespected his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, he marched onto the stage of the Dolby Theater and smacked the comedian. A visibly shaken Rock stumbled over his words and continued presenting the award for Best Documentary Film. However, Smith’s commentary, which the academy bleeped, revealed how angry Smith was over Rock’s commentary. In response, celebrities including Mark Hamill, and other actors, writers, and Rock’s fellow comedians took to Twitter to condemn Smith for his behavior.

Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Chris Rock and Mark Hamill in a photo collage.
Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Chris Rock, and Mark Hamill | Lionel Hahn/Robyn Beck/Kevin Winter

The joke that led Will Smith to strike Chris Rock

Before announcing the nominations for Best Documentary Film, Rock delivered on his comedy style, which includes observational comedy that focuses on family, politics, romance, music, celebrities, and race.

Rock directed a joke toward Smith’s wife, Jada. He said, “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see ya.”

At first, Smith laughed from his seat while Pinkett Smith appeared unamused.

Minutes later, Smith walked up to Rock and slapped him.

“Oh wow,” said Rock as Smith returned to his seat. “Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me.”

Following, the King Richard star yelled twice to Rock, “Keep my wife’s name out of your f****** mouth!”

In 2018, Pinkett Smith admitted she has the autoimmune disorder alopecia. She discussed her issues with hair loss on Instagram. The disorder attacks hair follicles resulting in bald spots and hair loss.

Mark Hamill and other celebrities reacted to Will Smith’s actions

Celebrities condemned Smith’s assaulting Rock. They took to Twitter, where they spoke out against his actions.

Star Wars lead Mark Hamill wrote, “Stand-up comics are very adept at handling hecklers. Violent physical assault, not so much.” The actor hashtagged it was the “ugliest Oscars moment ever.”

Kathy Griffin tweeted she was worried about the ramifications of Smith’s actions against her fellow comedians in the future.

“Let me tell you something; it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian. Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters,” she mused.

“Just saw the Will Smith slap. Anyone have a late-night show I can borrow just for tomorrow?” tweeted Conan O’Brien about the incident.

Jimmy Kimmel responded to O’Brien’s tweet, “anytime you want to take it for a spin, it’s yours.”

Billy Eichner wrote, “I’m getting under my couch.”

When she wrote, “Violence isn’t ok,” Actor Sophia Bush summed up her feelings.

“Assault is never the answer. Also? This is the 2nd time that Chris has made fun of Jada on the Oscars stage, & tonight he went after her alopecia. Punching down at someone’s auto-immune disease is wrong. Doing so on purpose is cruel. They both need a breather.”

Smith later apologized for his actions, but not to Rock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVvgCMZSkyw
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Variety reported Rock declined to press charges against Smith after the attack.

“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,” said an official statement from the LAPD.

After winning an Oscar in the Best Actor category, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees but did not mention Rock.

In a tearful speech, he spoke about acting out of love and protection, saying, “Love makes you do crazy things.”

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