'CODA' triumphs at Oscars, as Will Smith slaps Chris Rock on stage

Jane Campion poses with her best director Oscar for "The Power of the Dog"

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis shows a ribbon reading "#WithRefugees" as she arrives at the Oscars -- in support of those who have fled Ukraine and other conflict zones

Deaf family drama "CODA" won best picture honors at the Oscars Sunday, the first ever triumph for a streamer, in a ceremony that was overshadowed by best actor-winner Will Smith striking comedian Chris Rock on stage for making a joke about his wife.

Seeking to reassert its relevance, the Academy Awards gala was packed with big musical performances and three wise-cracking female hosts -- but will enter the history books for the shocking Smith-Rock altercation, which changed the mood of the night before the final prizes were announced.

The film bagged the historic prize for Apple TV+, a relative newcomer in a streaming market dominated by rivals like Netflix.

Taking its title from the acronym for child of deaf adult, the movie also won for best adapted screenplay, and best supporting actor for Troy Kotsur, who plays the father of a teenage girl who can hear and wants to pursue a career in music.

"This is our moment," he said.

"We're faced with discriminatory and bigoted legislation that is sweeping our country... in times like this, I think of Tammy and I'm inspired by her radical acts of love," she said.

But Tinseltown's biggest night was dominated by a shocking moment in which Smith -- who won best actor for his work on "King Richard" -- slapped Rock on stage, before returning to his seat alongside his wife Jada Pinkett Smith and shouting profanities.

Rock, presenting the best documentary prize, had compared Jada's tightly cropped hair to Demi Moore's appearance in the film "G.I. Jane." Jada suffers from alopecia, a condition causing hair loss.

But when he returned to the stage to accept his award, a tearful Smith lamented "people disrespecting you" in Hollywood, and apologized to the Academy "and all my fellow nominees."

Los Angeles police said they were aware of the incident but that Rock had not filed a police report. The Academy tweeted that it "does not condone violence of any form."

Until recently it had appeared that dark, psychological Western "The Power of the Dog" was set to earn Netflix its much-coveted first best picture statuette.

She is only the third woman to do so in Oscars history, just a year after Chloe Zhao became the second ("Nomadland"). Kathryn Bigelow was the first for "The Hurt Locker."

Ariana DeBose won best supporting actress for playing Anita in "West Side Story," and Disney's "Encanto" was named best animated feature.

Yvett Merino, producer of Colombia-set "Encanto," said she was "so proud to be a part of a film that put beautiful, diverse characters in front and center."

Japan's "Drive My Car," a Japanese arthouse film based on a short story of the same name by Haruki Murakami, was named best international film.

Pop megastar Beyonce began the televised broadcast with her nominated tune from "King Richard," from the Compton courts where Serena and Venus trained as girls.

In another musical highlight, viral sensation "We Don't Talk About Bruno" was performed live, with Megan Thee Stallion adding an Oscars-themed verse to the "Encanto" hit song.

"This year, the Academy hired three women to host because it's cheaper than hiring one man," said Schumer.

- 'Devastation -

Recently deceased Hollywood greats also honored in the segment included Sidney Poitier -- the first Black man to win best actor.

Several attendees wore blue ribbons reading #WithRefugees.

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Originally published as 'CODA' triumphs at Oscars, as Will Smith slaps Chris Rock on stage