Rock Won't Pursue Charges Against Smith Over Oscar Smack: Police

LOS ANGELES, CA — Police confirmed Monday that Chris Rock has declined to file a complaint against Will Smith following one of the most bizarre Oscar moments, officials said.

Best-actor nominee Smith strode up to the Dolby Theatre stage and slapped Rock in the face after the comedian made a joke about Smith's wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith.

Rock added some jokes into his presentation for best documentary feature and happened to take aim at Pinkett Smith's bald head, suggesting she would be starring in a sequel to "G.I. Jane." Pinkett Smith has talked in the past about having a hair-loss condition.

Audience members had mixed reactions of shock and laughter, unsure at first whether it was part of a comedy bit. But Smith dispelled all confusion after screaming at Rock twice, telling him to "keep my wife's name out of your (expletive) mouth."

Rock continued to present the award as an awkward silence fell over the Dolby Theatre.

The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement saying that Rock had declined to pursue any charges against Smith.

"LAPD investigative entities are aware of an incident between two individuals during the Academy Awards program," according to the department. "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."

When Smith returned to the stage to claim his award for best actor for his performance in "King Richard" ? portraying the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams ? he hinted at the televised smack.

"Richard Williams was a fierce defender of his family," Smith said to begin his acceptance speech, drawing nervous laughter from the audience.

Fighting back tears, he later added, "I want to apologize to the Academy. I want to apologize to my fellow nominees." He also appeared to express sorrow for his actions overshadowing the success of the film.

"I want to be a vessel for love," he said. "I want to say thank you to Venus and Serena ... and the entire Williams family for trusting me with your story. That's what I wanted to do, I wanted to be an ambassador of that kind of love and care and concern."

He also said later, "I look like the crazy father just like they said about Richard Williams. ... Love will make you do crazy things."
Smith never mentioned Rock in his acceptance speech, which he ended by saying, "Hopefully the Academy invites me back."

Rock has not commented on the incident.

City News Service contributed to this report.