Chris Rock Declines to File Police Report Over Will Smith Slapping Him During Oscars

The brief but impactful moment when down during Sunday night's live broadcast, immediately causing confusion for viewers. Smith later won Best Actor.

Will Smith and Chris Rock are seen at the Oscars
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Image via Getty/ROBYN BECK/AFP

Will Smith and Chris Rock are seen at the Oscars

Chris Rock isn’t pressing charges in connection with a Will Smith-delivered slap that will likely be the subject of a weeks-long discourse following Sunday night’s Oscars ceremony. 

That’s the latest as of Monday morning, with studious Oscars fans and casual viewers alike still dissecting the viral moment at the 94th Academy Awards, during which Smith also won Best Actor for King Richard.

In a statement to ABC, the network behind the Oscars broadcast, a rep for the Los Angeles Police Department addressed what they described as an “incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program.” Per the statement, it’s stated that the “individual involved” has decided to not file a police report.

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the rep said. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved part desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”

Complex has reached out to an LAPD rep for additional comment.

In a separate statement shared overnight, the Academy said it “does not condone violence of any form” and restated the intention of the annual celebration of achievements in film as being a moment to recognize all those who made such feats possible. Complex has also reached out to the Academy for comment.

The moment in question took place following a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith from Rock, who was a presenter at this year’s ceremony. “Jada, I love ya. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it,” Rock said, prompting a televised eyeroll from Jada, who has been publicly candid about her struggles with alopecia. At that point, Smith was seen making his way onto the stage and appearing to slap the comedian.

“Keep my wife’s name out your fucking mouth!” Smith said once he returned to his seat, to which Rock responded with a prediction about how this moment will be regarded moving forward.

“That was the greatest night in the history of television,” Rock said, as seen below.

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According to a Page Six source, “people lined up to console” Chris Rock at a post-Oscars get-together at music manager Guy Oseary’s house. Those who showed their support included Wanda Sykes and Sacha Baron Cohen.

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