'Hope the Academy invites me back': Will Smith apologises to Oscars and fellow nominees after smacking Chris Rock

Will Smith, the best actor candidate, struck presenter Chris Rock in the face with an open palm and yelled obscenities at him for making a joke about his wife's appearance at the Oscars ceremony. On accepting the Oscar for Best Actor for his part in King Richard minutes later, Smith apologised to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his other nominees, but not to Rock.

When Smith yelled out, "Keep my wife's name out of your f*****g mouth," the episode with Rock appeared to be a planned comedy at first. Because of the language, the audio from the performance, which was transmitted on a time delay of a few seconds in the US, appeared to have been deleted from the live transmission for many viewers.

Rock was mocking several of the candidates when he mentioned Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and said to her that he adores him and he is looking forward to seeing G.I. Jane II. 

After a few moments on stage, Smith approached Rock, who had his hands behind his back when Smith flung an open hand at his face, resulting in an audible slap.

Rock then exclaimed that Will Smith had just knocked the living daylights out of him. The audience laughed, assuming it was a joke, and then the comedian said it was a G.I. Jane joke, referring to the 1997 film G.I. Jane. Demi Moore shaved her head for the film.

Smith then said, "Keep my wife's name out of your f*****g mouth," which may become one of the most famous Oscar lines ever.

In response, Rock stated that he was going to do it and that it was the greatest night in television history. Smith then said it again, this time louder and more deliberately.

In December, Jada Pinkett Smith revealed to Billboard that she had been suffering from alopecia, an inflammatory illness that causes hair loss and baldness.

Smith's indignation was initially misunderstood by the audience as a ruse. The audience fell silent and openly gasped only after he returned to his seat and shouted. Many individuals in the mezzanine stood up and craned their necks to get a better look.

Winner Smith was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as Richard Williams, the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams. After taking the trophy, Smith apologised to the Academy and his other nominees, but not to Rock.

Smith added that Richard Williams was a staunch defender of his family. He hopes the Academy invites him back.