ADVERTISEMENT

"CODA" has won best picture at the 94th Academy Awards but it's not what people are talking about after the ceremony.

The center of attention is the physical altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock that took place after the comedian made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

When the actor returned to his seat, he threw a tirade of f words at Rock who was visibly stunned by the exchange, but managed to keep it professional and continued on with his presentation.

The incident baffled the audience and viewers alike, and many are trying to figure out if it was part of the show or not.

Watch the exact moment Will Smith went on stage to smack Chris Rock for making a joke about his wife

Image credits: REUTERS

After the awards show ended, the Academy of Motion Pictures issued a statement on Twitter

Image credits: TheAcademy

#1

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

AdrianLGreen Report

Add photo comments
POST
llsewer avatar
Jaguarundi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

During Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearing, her husband, Dr. Patrick Graves Jackson, gave her his full support and quietly comforted her. Like a good man should. They both demonstrated grace under pressure during this harrowing process.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Reportedly, the conflict was not staged nor was it part of the show. It occurred after Rock pointed out Jada Pinkett Smith in the crowd and said, "Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," referring to her bald head.

At first, Will Smith appeared to be laughing but Jada, who was diagnosed with alopecia in 2018 and has been vocal about her struggles about not being able to grow her hair, rolled her eyes at the joke and Will then walked up to Rock on stage and smacked him.

#3

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

JoeListComedy Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or, that's how you've been conditioned to react when someone is making fun of you in a public setting, no matter if you agree with it or not... but when he saw his wife, his actual feeling came out

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#4

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

j0_mAmA Report

Add photo comments
POST
hawkmoon avatar
Hawkmoon
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you watch the start of the video, initial reaction of Smith was laughing, while his wife was clearly not. Ressorting to violence just after laughing, worse walking quietly to your target and then out of nowhere punching him, is not "the heat of the moment"

aut_m avatar
That pigeon ->
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It's a reaction of hahaha can't belive you just said that I'll m gonna beat yo @$$

Load More Replies...
lakalypso avatar
La Kalypso
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is 2022. As a society, could we please move beyond the "man defends woman's honour" outdated pattern? Jada Pinkett Smith could have defended herself if she'd have felt the need to, through any type of media. Also, this single event changes my opinion of Will Smith quite radically.

yarab45348 avatar
Lucifer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People make fun of bald guys all the time. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease which affects both men & women. Let's say a woman made this joke about a man and some guy slapped her on stage. Would it be ok? If your answer is no, then this situation is a no brainer.

ekaterinas avatar
Ekaterina S
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is an alleged autoimmune disease, don‘t make it sound like this was a serious illness.

Load More Replies...
louisemartin avatar
mittenkg avatar
FrancesCat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! This is classic toxic masculinity at work. Will Smith excused his violence the same way abusers do: Saying he acted out of love and was defending his family. To have this going on while Putin is refusing talks of compromise and diplomacy in favor of violence is exactly why we need to shut down violence whenever it happens. Violence should never be acceptable if we are going to improve the state of humanity.

Load More Replies...
cmdrunematti avatar
CMDR unematti
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, just because it's 2 men, doesn't make it any more acceptable... Comics known to make fun of everyone and THAT is important. They have to know they won't get hurt no matter what. For. Talking.

lisad_5 avatar
KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'NO 1. in a professional setting like the Oscars'--or anywhere, should B worried, about being PUNCHED OUT!'--you're so right CMDR'--

Load More Replies...
katlynm avatar
K.M.
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

S****y comparison. J0_mama probably wasn't horrible human being when her boyfriend hit her.

backatya7 avatar
backatya
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

so if Will would have shot Chris dead it still would have been alright? NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neither was the slap

lisad_5 avatar
KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'I really have 2 WONDER--if perhaps Chris & Jad(ED) also had a TRYST?'--oh! Jaded prefers==ENTANGLEMENT!" ha ha --'DON"T TRY 2 MAKE--ENTANGLEMENT'--HAPPEN!" he he

lisad_5 avatar
KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WILL...'you --fooked UP!"--and 4 what, you're W(HORROR--of a wife, who really, who cares if she was a bit UP-set?'--that's life!'--and you're rich, and would have been fine!'.--You -messed UP- you're -OSCAR moment'--4 what??????--

lehoovre avatar
Rand Hoovre
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do you write like this? Is it intentional or is English not your native language? I'm genuinely curious. Are you like 13 and not mature enough to speak in clear, legible sentences?

Load More Replies...
bobstanden_1 avatar
Bob Standen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

t was a set up by both of them. Rock knows what is going to happen, he has his hands behind his back and leans forward to cop the open handed (pulled) slap. The Oscars were tanking for ratings, this got 50% more viewers. We all miss Ricky Gervais he's the best.

lisad_5 avatar
KIKIDEEPLEEZ
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'Bob'--uh-- 'Will & Chris' never would have agreed, 2 something that STUPID(like --U--)--it's a 'crime' assault--'The producers don't have that right- lawfully 2 let people HIT- each other'--Grab a clue BOB!'--would ya!'--

Load More Replies...
bigniall_murphy avatar
Niall Murpphy
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Will Smith smacked a stupid man not a women so get off the band wagon stay with the story

peter_93 avatar
Péter Rózsahegyi
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

So you made fun of your boyfriend's sister's painful autoimmune illness, multiple times, on front of a big audience, for money and attention, too..?

raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Violence is never an appropriate response to verbal abuse (if that's how you see it). If he really felt so strongly (why'd he laugh to begin with) and it was about standing up for his wife and not his own ego - he could have just yelled the words he yelled after the assault.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#5

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

mariashriver Report

Add photo comments
POST
jmscargill avatar
Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If anyone did that in any decent theatre they would be forcefully ejected on to the street. Unless it was staged. The audience numbers have been falling for some time. Surely, Hollywood would not be so cynical. Or would they?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

About 40 minutes later, Smith won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance in King Richard, the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams. He referenced the moment while accepting it.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said.

"I've been called on in my life to love people and to protect people, and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you got to be able to take abuse. And have people talk crazy about you. People disrespect you and smile like it's OK."

#6

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

nhannahjones Report

Add photo comments
POST
raroararoa avatar
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Security should have been called to escort him out. They would have in a less privileged environment.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#8

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

PapaCJ Report

Add photo comments
POST
peter_93 avatar
Péter Rózsahegyi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The guy who makes a joke on somebody's illness is not a comedian but an insensitive jerk.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Mandy moore Report

Add photo comments
POST
r_searle avatar
RadiatorAnkleSpider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the whole culture of award show hosts is vile and toxic. They are paid to stand up there and roast unsuspecting celebrities…

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

"I wanna apologize to the academy, I wanna apologize to all my fellow nominees," Smith said with tears in his eyes during his Oscar speech.

He did not, however, mention Rock's name in his apology.

#10

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

therealtbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
alanna-elric avatar
Alanna Elric
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Tasteless joke" You can condemn Will Smith's actions without downplaying how inappropriate and cruel the joke was.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

thesunshinekey Report

Add photo comments
POST
master_minds9_1 avatar
DennyS (denzoren)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, Harvey Weinstien (i honestly don't care how his name is spelt) used to sit and get thanked constantly while being an absolute scum of a human....so not so strange from Hollywood's elitist.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that they are aware of the incident and that Rock had 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," the police explained.

#14

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

ConanOBrien Report

Add photo comments
POST
nuritcohen avatar
nurit Cohen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't make jokes about it or Will Smith might take offense and hit you

View more commentsArrow down menu
#15

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

robreiner Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
Sum Guy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Chris rock owes Jada an apology for making fun of her sickness. That's why Chris isn't filling any charges, he knows he f****d up

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

SophiaBush Report

Add photo comments
POST
freshganesh avatar
Marco Hub-Dub
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need a discourse on what is appropriate in comedy jokes. Rock has been going after her and all the Smiths incessantly. Making fun of Shumer for stealing jokes is edgy comedy. Making fun of an auto-immune disease or any body/health issue may eventually require a slap upside the head. Especially when more appropriate requests to stop have fallen on deaf ears. Will shouldn’t have done it to us viewers and the Oscars, but probably should have given the weasel a wake up call earlier on his harassment campaign. And what happened to CR? He used to be funny on his early stand up days. Now he’s a commercial actor or product shucker & tells weak sauce jokes. He’s worse than the comedians booked to perform on Disney cruises.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Later, Smith said actor Denzel Washington pulled him aside after the incident, telling him, "At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you."

Meanwhile, Smith's son Jaden tweeted, "And That's How We Do It."

#18

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

TheDollyRae Report

Add photo comments
POST
shellipl avatar
Shelli LotusFlower
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, this horrible event did show the world that Nicole Kidman’s face can move.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#20

😅
#memes #willsmith #oscars #chrisrock #funnymemes #jokes #comedy #sarcasm

extreme.memesz Report

Add photo comments
POST
kimitomminello avatar
Kimi Tomminello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

🤣 yup, that's all I've seen this morning. These exact 2 pictures.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Nliech Report

Add photo comments
POST
dundun avatar
DUN DUN (she/her)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can see his entire life, career flashing before his eyes in this meme

View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

PopeRidiculamIV Report

Add photo comments
POST
vickyz avatar
Vicky Z
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know that the votes were already there but he shouldn't be awarded yesterday! They should give it to the second runner up! We shouldn't approve those behaviours and the production of the awards should have better reflexes in these situations

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Report

Add photo comments
POST
kimitomminello avatar
Kimi Tomminello
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This- nobody cares anymore. Rich actors congratulating other rich actors for being rich actors is not something a lot of people enjoy anymore.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#30

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

MarkHamill Report

Add photo comments
POST
cj_kelly_miramar avatar
CJ Kelly
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think he handled it pretty freaking well. Besides not apologizing to Jada for being out of line...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

ghyter7 Report

Add photo comments
POST
mwangim62 avatar
Rijkærd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

JayZ be like...I got 99 problems but a slap from Will Smith aint one of them...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#40

Will-Smith-Chris-Rock-Altercation-People-Reactions

Omerta_Dion_3 Report

Add photo comments
POST
pattycakes77 avatar
Pattycakes 77
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

After seeing that slap I can't help but keep replaying that Dave Chappelle skit with Charlie Murphy and Rick James in my head.

View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 60 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.