Will Smith news - live: ‘Heartbroken’ actor’s resignation from the Academy accepted by organisation

Support for Chris Rock continues in the aftermath of Sunday’s Oscars, with Hollywood actor Adam Sandler becoming the latest celebrity to defend the comedian.

Sandler, who has known Rock since the two joined Saturday Night Live together in 1990, tweeted out a plug for the comedian’s forthcoming Ego Death World Tour – presumably giving ticket sales a further boost.

The star of movies including Uncut Gems and Just Got With It, Sandler also wrote: “Love you buddy!”

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Judd Apatow has clarified his opinion on the Will Smith-Chris Rock incident after his earlier comments attracted widespread criticism.

Shortly after the on-stage incident occurred, the Knocked Up filmmaker took to Twitter to condemn the actor’s actions, claiming that Smith could have “killed” Rock.

Apatow has since backtracked the remarks in an interview with SiriusXM.

“I don’t know all the relationships involved,” said the director.

Chris Rock is due to kick off his comedy tour this week, returning to the stage at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre for a run of shows, before traveling across the US and UK for his Ego Death World Tour.

The on-stage incident between Will Smith and Rock appears to have boosted interest in the comedian’s tour, with ticket sales spiking following the Oscars on Sunday night (27 March).

Ticket marketplace site TickPick tweeted that it sold more tickets to Rock’s tour in the night following the Oscars than it did in the entire month preceding.

It’s fair to say that Will Smith slapping Chris Rock has emerged as the biggest talking point of this year’s Oscars ceremony.

In an effort to recall the night’s other memorable moments, fans have been taking to Twitter to share highlights that were overshadowed by the incident.

One such moment was Samuel L Jackson receiving his first ever golden statuette, which was presented to him by Denzel Washington.

Although the actor left Chris Rock out of his apologies on the night, Will Smith has issued a statement publicly saying sorry to the comedian.

“I would like to publicly apologise 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,” said Smith.

You can read the full apology here.

Prior to the altercation, Regina Hall – who hosted the Oscars alongside Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer – made a joke poking fun at Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s marriage.

You can read about the joke below.

The pair made headlines after a 2020 episode of Pinkett Smith’s show, Red Table Talk, in which she revealed that she had an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina while she was married.

Last September, Will confessed that there was a point where they decided not to have a monogamous relationship, as they were “both miserable and clearly something had to change”.

Moments after slapping Chris Rock in the face, Will Smith took to the stage to accept the Best Actor award for his lead role in King Richard.

The award is Smith’s first ever Oscar. He was previously nominated for 2002’s Ali and 2007’s The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the wake of the incident, however, fans are questioning whether the star could be stripped of the accolade.

Speculation has been fuelled by the Academy’s announcement that it has launched “a formal review” to “explore further action and consequences” for Smith.

Hours after the altercation and his teary-eyed apology, Smith was filmed enjoying himself at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty.

Variety’s executive editor Ramin Setoodeh shared footage from the event of Smith dancing to his 1997 hit single “Gettin’ Jiggy wit It”. The actor was also pictured posing with fans for photos at the event.

Will Smith joked that “you can’t invite people from Philly nowhere” shortly after slapping Chris Rock on stage at the Oscars.

The actor commented the joke on his own Instagram post of himself and Jada Pinkett Smith, which he had shared before the ceremony.

Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams whom Will Smith portrayed in King Richard, has been asked about the star’s actions.

In a statement to NBC News via his son and spokesperson Chavoita LeSane, Williams said: “We don’t know all the details of what happened. But we don’t condone anyone hitting anyone else unless it’s in self-defence.”

In his acceptance speech after slapping Rock, Smith compared himself to Williams’ famous on-air defence of his daughter Venus during a TV interview in 1995.

“Art imitates life. I look like the crazy father – just like they said about Richard Williams,” said Smith. “But love will make you do crazy things.”