The comedian had made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.
He posted on social media on Monday night “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jade’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.”
Rock was in the midst of presenting the Best Documentary award when the comedian joked about Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair loss. Will Smith walked on stage and slapped Rock. Upon return back to his seat, he yelled ‘Keep my wife’s name out of your f—-g mouth’. Rock said, “Wow dude, it was a G.I. Jane joke’.
Later, during the ceremony, Smith won the Best Actor award on his role as King Richard, a movie on US legend Tennis Star Serena Williams.
He appologised to the Academy and fellow nominees during his award receiving speech but not with his victim comedian on live TV program.
Smith, on Monday addressing to Rock, in his statement said, ‘I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I’m embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I wanted to be’. “There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.’
Pinkett Smith through her Instagram short message mentioned, “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
Smith’s attack made the social media rounds, with the industry and peers weighing in with their thoughts. Members of the Academy were furious with the situation, according to sources, and are contemplating whether Smith broke any of the non-profit organization’s bylaws. Sources said Rock’s joke was also not a part of the show’s rehearsals.
On Monday, SAG-AFTRA — the labor union representing actors, singers and other performance artists along with journalists and other media professionals — admonished Smith’s behavior. “Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct,”
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