Will Smith Apologizes For Being 'Out Of Line' At Oscars

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Will Smith took to Instagram Monday evening to apologize for the shocking moment when he walked on stage to slap Chris Rock at Sunday's Oscars.

During his acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the Academy. Smith on Monday posted an apology directly addressing Rock, the Williams Family and his "'King Richard' Family."

"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith said in an Instagram post. He added: "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."

Rock was on the Dolby Theatre stage Sunday night to present the Oscar for best documentary feature, but he peppered in some jokes — including one referencing actress Jada 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 the hair-loss condition alopecia. Her husband, who initially appeared to be laughing at Rock's quip, didn't take the joke well.

Smith, who was seated in the front of the theater, walked onto the stage and smacked Rock across the face, in a move that initially drew some nervous laughs from the crowd, believing it was a pre-planned comedy skit. But Smith turned and stalked back to his seat, then sternly screamed at Rock twice, telling him to "keep my wife's name out of your (expletive) mouth."

Smith reacted so strongly because the joke was at his wife's expense, he said in his Instagram apology.

"Jokes at my expense are a part fo the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally," Smith said.

Police on Monday confirmed that Rock declined to file a complaint against Smith, while the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences condemned Smith's behavior.

The Academy will conduct a review to determine if "consequences" are in order, but it is unlikely Smith's best-actor win will be rescinded.

Read Smith's full statement:

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.

Sincerely,

Will

City News Service Contributed to this report