The former Fresh Prince, who won the Gong Award for Best Actor for his role in the biographical film King Richard, was reacting to a joke that Rock aimed at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Referring to Pinkett Smith’s short shaved hair, Rock said, “Jada, I’m looking forward to GI Jane 2.” Smith then took to the stage, hitting Rock before returning to his seat and shouting, “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth.” Live updates of the Oscar Awards 2022: Find out about all the action from this year’s ceremony Picture: Jada Pinkett Smith (L) sitting with Smith in public. Photo: AP Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:19 Emotional speeches at the 2022 Oscars Rock appeared shocked and upset as he tried to continue the presentation of the best documentary category. He said: “This was the biggest night in the history of television.” Introducing the next set of presenters, Sean Coombs joked about the test moment, saying, “Will and Chris, we’ll solve it as a family at the golden party.” The Academy does not forgive violence of any kind. Tonight we are pleased to celebrate the 94th Academy Awards winners, who now deserve recognition from their peers and moviegoers around the world. – The Academy (@TheAcademy) March 28, 2022 During the commercial break, Smith and Pinkett Smith appear to be comforted by actor Denzel Washington. When, a little later that night, Smith was named best actor, he received applause from the crowd. The 53-year-old had twice been nominated for gong in his 30-year career. But it was the role of Richard Williams – the determined father of a young Aphrodite and Serena Williams – that earned him the award. Image: It was the third time lucky for Smith, who has been nominated twice before Accepting his award, a tearful Smith said, “Oh dude. Richard Williams was a tough defender of his family. At this time in my life, right now, I’m shocked by what God is calling me to do and to do. I’m in this world. “ He went on to talk about the “protection” of the film’s young actors, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton. Who won what at this year’s Oscars – full list of winners Calling them “the strongest and most sensitive people I have ever met”, he continued: “I am called to love and protect people and to be a river for my people. I know how to do what we do. You have to be able to accept the abuse… You have to smile and be like “It does not matter”. “Denzel [Washington]just told me, at your highest moment, then the devil is coming for you. “I want to be a vessel for love. I want to say thank you to Aphrodite and Serena for entrusting me with your story. I want to be an ambassador for this kind of love and concern. “I want to apologize to the Academy and to all my nominees, this is a beautiful moment and I do not cry that I won an award, it is to be able to shed light on all people.” He went on to describe King Richard’s cast and crew and the entire Williams family, before adding: “Art mimics life – I look like a crazy father. Love will make you do crazy things.” He also paid tribute to his mother, who said “she did not want to go out tonight – she has this knitting team”. He concluded by thanking his family and his wife: “Thank you for this honor, thank you for this moment, thank you to the Williams family, I hope the Academy invites me back.” Notably, with so many apologies in his speech, there was not one for Chris Rock. The Academy later wrote on Twitter: “The Academy does not condone violence of any kind.” Although many were unsure if the moment was directed or true, it is possible that Rock’s reference to Pinkett Smith’s hair touched Smith’s nerve, as she recently spoke publicly about a fight with alopecia after her diagnosis in 2018. Pinkett Smith shared a video on social media talking about autoimmune disorder, which can cause hair loss and baldness. He used to say “he fought it”, but now he “laughs” and refuses to “get it lying down”. Image: Coda won the biggest award of the night – best photo – reinforcing the importance of authentic casting In other news of the evening, CODA – a film for the deaf adult child – won the top award for best film, with a cast led by deaf actors, reinforcing the importance of authentic casting. The film – which rose to a record price when it was purchased by Apple TV + at the Sundance Film Festival – became the first streaming platform film to win the top award. One of the stars of the film – Troy Kotsour – also made history, becoming the first deaf actor to take up gong at home, winning Best Supporting Actor. Image: Troy Kotsour is the first deaf person to win an Oscar. Photo: AP He gave a moving tribute to his father and the deaf community, saying: “My dad was the best signer in our family, but he had a car accident and was paralyzed from the neck down and could no longer sign. “Dad, I learned so much from you, I will always love you, you are my hero. Thanks to my biggest fans. “I just want to say that it is dedicated to the deaf community, the Coda community and the deaf community. This is our moment.” Jessica Chastain won Best Actress for her role as the honorary TV e-mail presenter in The Eyes Of Tammy Faye, after the hair and makeup team received her off-stage award earlier in the night. Ariana DeBose won the Second Actress Award for her role as Anita in West Side Story. DeBose is the first openly colored queer actress to win an Oscar. Image: Jessica Chastain wins Best Actress for her performance in The Eyes Of Tammy Faye Jane Cambion won Best Director for Gothic Western The Power Of The Dog, becoming only the third woman to win the award in the series’s 94-year history. She follows Kathryn Bigelow 14 years ago and Chloe Zhao last year. Campion said: “Netflix, the whole amazing team, embraced that from the start.” He also thanked the late Thomas Savage, the author of The Power Of The Dog. Image: Ariana DeBose wins Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita in West Side Story Dune swept all the first technical awards, winning four of the eight craft categories that had been removed from the main show and pre-recorded an hour before the curtain. Then Denis Villeneuve’s science fiction followed the editing, production design, sound and visual effects she wins with the best cinematography and original music. Sir Kenneth Branagh got the best original screenplay for Belfast, a black-and-white semi-autobiographical account of his childhood in Northern Ireland at the beginning of The Troubles. Some stars also found their moment in the spotlight to highlight the plight of Ukraine by wearing ribbons, badges or square pockets in blue and yellow. If you missed any of the ceremonies, you can watch again on Monday 28 at 19:00 at Sky Cinema or from 22:00 at Sky Showcase
