"I was out of line, I was wrong" - Will Smith apologizes to Chris Rock

Popular actor Will Smith has apologised to Chris Rock for slapping him at the Oscars ceremony, saying: "I was out of line and I was wrong."

Combined Photos showing how Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars 

Making a post on Instagram, the former Fresh Prince described his behaviour as "unacceptable and inexcusable". 

He said the joke Rock made of my wife - Jada Pinkett Smith's medical condition - was "too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally". 

Smith, 53, initially laughed at the joke but his wife, sitting next to him, rolled her eyes and looked unimpressed. She revealed in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia and has spoken publicly about the challenges of hair loss. 

ICYMI: Alopecia Areata is a medical condition where one suffers Sudden hair loss that starts with one or more circular bald patches that may overlap.

Alopecia areata occurs when the immune system attacks hair follicles and may be brought on by severe stress.

 

Smith then walked on stage and gave Rock a slap on the face before returning to his seat and shouting twice: "Keep my wife's name out of your f****** mouth."

Smith wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally." 

"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

"I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us."

"I am a work in progress."

Rock appeared shocked and flustered as he tried to resume presenting the best documentary feature category.

He said: "Oh wow, Will just smacked the s*** out of me. 

Rivulets of tears seen rolling down Will Smith's cheek as he won the Oscars for Best Actor in 'King Richard'

During the commercial break, Smith and Pinkett Smith could be seen being comforted by actor Denzel Washington.

Following the attack, Smith went on to win the best actor gong for his role in the biopic King Richard. It was his first Oscar.