Chris Rock spotted in Boston after infamous Will Smith Oscars slap

The comedian kept his head down as he checked into a Boston hotel ahead of his shows, just days after being slapped onstage by Will Smith.

A stony-faced Chris Rock has been spotted in Boston ahead of the five sold-out shows he is set to perform before officially kicking off his Ego Death World Tour – the first time the comedian has been seen in public after being slapped by Will Smith at the Oscars.

The 57-year-old comic was photographed arriving in Beantown, wearing a white shirt under a blue jacket, grey sweatpants and a dark cap, reports the New York Post.

He appeared downcast and kept his head lowered, and no visible injuries or bruises could be seen on the side of his face where he was smacked.

Rock checked into the Ritz Carlton ahead of his shows at The Wilbur Theatre, NBC Boston reported.

Rock’s tour kicks off later this week. Picture: TheImageDirect.com

It’ll be his first time back on stage since the infamous slap. Picture: TheImageDirect.com

TickPick, a ticket marketplace, said its sales for “Chris Rock Ego Death World Tour 2022” – which kicks off April 2 – have skyrocketed since the shocking incident at the Oscars on Monday.

Meanwhile, the lowest priced tickets for the Boston shows are about $US125 ($A165), with some tickets selling for as much as $US1350 ($A1800), according to the outlet.

Rock has two shows scheduled on Wednesday, two on Thursday and one on Friday, local time.

The infamous slap heard around the world. Picture: Robyn Beck/AFP

The Saturday Night Live alum is then reportedly scheduled to make appearances in Atlantic City and California.

On Sunday, Smith, 53, stormed onto the stage and slapped Rock across the face for making a joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock compared Pinkett Smith – who suffers from alopecia and shaved her head last summer – to Demi Moore’s bald character from the film G.I. Jane, prompting the smack that stunned the audience and viewers worldwide.

Smith has apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees during his acceptance speech for winning the Best Actor Oscar for his role in King Richard.

At the time, he notably left out Rock’s name, but he has since issued a formal apology.

The Academy said it is investigating the incident in a “formal review” that will “explore further action and consequences.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission