Comedian Chris Rock has declined to file a police complaint against Will Smith after being struck by the ‘King Richard‘ actor onstage during the 94th Academy Awards, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said in a statement. 

“LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program. The incident involved one individual slapping another,” LAPD said. 

“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,” the statement added.

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As Chris Rock presented the award for best documentary feature during Sunday night’s Academy Awards, the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith, which did not go down too well with her husband Will Smith, who stood up from his seat near the stage, ran up to Rock and slapped him. 

“Keep my wife’s name out of your f—–g mouth,” Smith said after taking his seat.

Moments later, Will Smith won the best actor award for the portrayal of tennis dad Richard Williams in “King Richard.”

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During his acceptance speech, Smith apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees.

“I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to all my fellow nominees. This is a beautiful moment and I’m not crying for winning an award. It’s not about winning an award for me. It’s about being able to shine a light on all of the people. Tim and Trevor and Zack and Saniyya and Demi and Aunjanue and the entire cast and crew of ‘King Richard,’ Venus and Serena, the entire Williams family. Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father, just like they said about Richard Williams,” he said in his tearful acceptance speech.