Will Smith

Jon Voight defends Will Smith after slap heard round the world: 'He's a great man'

'He's a great man,' Voight said of Smith

By Emma Colton Fox News
Published

Actor Jon Voight defended Will Smith after he slapped comic Chris Rock in a viral moment at the Oscars. 

"I know Will very well and I love him, he's a great man," Voight said in an interview on the red carpet, according to a clip on Good Morning Britain. "If anyone insulted my wife, I would be pretty angry too." 

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 14: Actor Jon Voight visits Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family" at Universal Studios Hollywood on September 14, 2020 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images) (Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

WILL SMITH SLAPPING CHRIS ROCK AT OSCARS PROMPTS RESPONSE FROM ACADEMY: ‘DOES NOT CONDONE VIOLENCE'

Smith walked onto the stage at the 94th Oscars and slapped Rock on the face after he made a joke about a sequel to "G.I Jane" and his wife's, Jada Pinkett Smith, bald head. Pinkett Smith has openly discussed her hair loss and alopecia. 

Will Smith, right, hits presenter Chris Rock on stage while presenting the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 27: (L-R) Chris Rock and Will Smith are seen onstage during the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Getty)

Will Smith, left, and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (AP)

Pinkett Smith was seen rolling her eyes after the joke, while her husband was seen laughing before things took a turn. 

"Take my wife’s name out of your (expletive) mouth," Smith reportedly shouted after the altercation. 

WILL SMITH SLAPPING CHRIS ROCK AT OSCARS PROMPTS RESPONSE FROM ACADEMY: ‘DOES NOT CONDONE VIOLENCE'

Smith was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor for his leading role in "King Richard" later that night, where he delivered an emotional acceptance speech. 

"I wanna apologize to the Academy. I wanna apologize to all my fellow nominees," he said. "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 light on all of the people."

"Love will make you do crazy things," Smith added.

The Academy issued a response shortly after the viral moment and said it does not condone violence. 

LAPD ISSUES STATEMENT AFTER WILL SMITH'S OSCAR SLAP OF CHRIS ROCK

"The Academy does not condone violence of any form," the tweet read. "Tonight we are delighted to celebrate our 94th Academy Awards winners, who deserve this moment of recognition from their peers and movie lovers around the world."

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The Los Angeles Police Department said as of Monday it is not investigating the altercation. 

Fox News’ Janelle Ash contributed to this report. 

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