Will Smith has apologised to Chris Rock for slapping him at the Oscars, saying his behaviour was “unacceptable and inexcusable”.
Smith struck Rock at Sunday’s Academy Awards after the presenter made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has alopecia-related hair loss.
In a post on Instagram on Monday afternoon, Smith apologised for his actions.
He wrote: “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,” he wrote. “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.”
Smith added that, “Violence in all forms is poisonous and destructive.”
He also included an apology to “the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world,” as well as the family of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams and those involved with the film for which he won his best actor award on Sunday.
“I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us,” he wrote. “I am a work in progress.”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has launched an inquiry into the onstage assault.
In a statement to media on Monday, the film academy said: “The Academy condemns the actions of Mr Smith at last night’s show.
“We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law.”
