Actor and comedian Chris Rock will not be pressing charges against Will Smith following their onstage altercation at this year’s Oscars, in which Smith slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head as she struggles with alopecia.
As he presented the Academy Award for best documentary, Rock quipped: “Jada I love you, ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it,” the camera cut to Pinkett Smith, who rolled her eyes.
Following the joke, Smith walked onto the stage and seemingly hit Rock, before telling him to “leave my wife’s name out of your f**king mouth.”
While Smith’s actions have been widely condemned on social media, with many arguing he should be charged with assault, Rock has declined to file a police report the LAPD confirmed to CNN.
“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program,” the department told the news outlet on Monday. “The incident involved one individual slapping another. The individual involved has declined to file a police report. If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report.”
Smith appeared remorseful when he returned to the stage shortly after, to accept the Oscar for best actor for his role as Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, in the film “King Richard.”
During his emotional speech, Smith apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees for the incident.
