‘Could have killed him’: Hollywood rages at Will Smith after slapping Chris Rock at Oscars

Hollywood stars have joined the chorus of outrage against Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Hollywood stars have joined the chorus of outrage against Will Smith after he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars.

The actor shocked the world by landing a blow on the comedian after he made an unfortunate joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith having alopecia, which causes hair loss.

Director Judd Apatow claimed Smith ‘could have killed’ Rock, while Kathy Griffin feared comedians could be targeted in copycat attacks.

“Seems like Will Smith’s plan to get comedians and the world to not make jokes about him is not going to pan out. The Williams family must be furious. Pure narcissism,” Apatow tweeted.

“He could have killed him. That’s pure out of control rage and violence. They’ve heard a million jokes about them in the last three decades. They are not freshmen in the world of Hollywood and comedy. He lost his mind.”

Will Smith hits Chris Rock at the Oscars. Credit: REUTERS/Brian Snyder

Kathy Griffin chimed in, claiming hecklers at comedy gigs could now be tempted to assault people on stage.

“It’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a comedian. Now we all have to worry about who want to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theatres.”

However, one celebrity did appear to come to Smith’s defence - his son Jaden.

He didn’t refer to the slap directly, but did tweet: “And That’s How We Do It.”

Let me tell you something, it’s a very bad practice to walk up on stage and physically assault a Comedian.
Now we all have to worry about who wants to be the next Will Smith in comedy clubs and theaters.

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 28, 2022

And That’s How We Do It

— Jaden (@jaden) March 28, 2022

Tensions boiled over at the 94th Academy Awards when Rock, who was presenting an award, compared Jada to GI Jane, who has a short haircut.

He stormed onto the stage and slapped Rock around the face, before returning to his seat.

The King Richard star, who later picked up the Best Actor award, then shouted: “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.”

Smith later apologised for his behaviour in his acceptance speech.

Rock has declined to press charges