Chris Rock Declines To File Police Report After Will Smith Slap At Oscars
The LAPD has confirmed the comedian won't seek to criminally punish Smith for the outburst.
Chris Rock has declined to press charges against Will Smith for slapping him right across the face in the middle of the Academy Awards presentation.
Everyone in the auditorium, as well as those watching at home, were left gobsmacked after what happened during the glitzy ceremony.
The comedian was set to read the nominees for the next award when he made a little jab at Smith's wife Jada, suggesting she looked like 'GI Jane'.
Smith clearly didn't take kindly to the joke so he walked onto the stage and shockingly slapped Rock before calmly walking back to his seat.
"Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me," Rock said to everyone, seemingly rattled by the confrontation.
Although Smith initially appeared amused, he then yelled back: "Keep my wife's name out your f**king mouth."
Chris awkwardly attempted to segue into the next segment, but not before saying: "That was the greatest night in the history of television."
People couldn't work out whether it was a scripted moment, however video footage showed Smith properly land the slap on Rock's face. This wasn't a fake slap, this was a full-blown, straight across the cheek, direct hit.
Considering it wasn't just a 'bit' many wondered whether Smith could be criminally punished for the act.
But the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed that won't be happening.
In a statement to Variety, the LAPD said: "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."
The slap happened moments before the 94th Academy Award for Best Actor went to Smith for his role in King Richard.
The star cried as he accepted the award and apologised for his outburst only minutes before.
"I want to apologise to the academy. I want to apologise to all my fellow nominees," he said.
He continued: "Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like Richard Williams. But love will make you do crazy things."
Smith added at the end that he hopes the Academy will invite him back for next year's ceremony.
The actor beat out competition from Denzel Washington in The Tragedy of Macbeth, Javier Bardem in Being the Ricardos, Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of the Dog and Andrew Garfield in Tick, Tick...Boom!
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film tells the true story of tennis champions Venus Williams (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton).
Featured Image Credit: ABCTopics: Entertainment, Celebrity, Will Smith, Oscars, Chris Rock
Stewart Perrie