Will Smith
Oscar Academy wants to investigate incident
Will Smith after winning an Oscar.
© imago/UPI Photo
Will Smith caused a sensation with his attack on Chris Rock at the Oscars. The Oscar Academy now wants to investigate the incident.
Will Smith (53), the Oscar winner in the category “Best Actor” (for “King Richard”), hit comedian Chris Rock (57) in the face on Sunday before his award. “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night’s show,” the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which is also responsible for the Oscars, said in a statement Monday (March 28). This is reported, among other things, by “Deadline”. A formal investigation into the incident has now been officially launched. “We will review additional actions and consequences consistent with our bylaws, our standards of conduct and California law.”
According to Deadline, the investigation could result in Smith being expelled from the Academy or receiving some form of suspension from the organization and its events, including next year’s Oscars. Apparently, however, there is only a small chance that Smith will be asked to return his Oscar.
The Oscar organization had already shortly after the incident tweeted: “The Academy does not condone violence of any kind. Tonight we are happy to celebrate our 94th Oscar winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and film lovers around the world.”
Before Will Smith got up from his seat at the Oscars, came onto the stage and seamlessly struck, comedian Chris Rock had made a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith (50). After the incident, Smith won a best actor Oscar for “King Richard” and apologized in his tearful acceptance speech.
The US industry portal “Variety” reported, citing the Los Angeles Police Department, that Chris Rock “refused to report the attack” after Will Smith’s attack. The Los Angeles Police Department statement said: “LAPD investigators are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. In the incident, one individual hit another. The individual involved declined to report the incident to be reimbursed to the police.”