Academy Condemns Will Smith's Actions; Chris Rock Declines To File Police Report

The organization behind the Oscars has launched a formal review after Will Smith stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock at Sunday's ceremony.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences initially said in a statement that it condemned violence without mentioning Smith by name after the "Gemini Man" actor smacked Rock across the face for joking about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith starring in a possible sequel to 1997's "G.I. Jane" because of her shaved head. The "Red Table Talk" host has been open about her struggles with alopecia.

However, in a new statement released Monday and obtained by Variety, a spokesperson for the organization said, "The Academy condemns the actions of Mr. Smith at last night's show. We have officially started a formal review around the incident and will explore further action and consequences in accordance with our Bylaws, Standards of Conduct and California law."

In its official standards of conduct, the Academy states it is "categorically opposed to any form of abuse."

Smith could face some type of disciplinary action or sanction over the incident, the outlet noted. However, it is unlikely he will be forced to forfeit his Oscar award.

Smith won his first Academy Award Sunday, capturing the best actor honor for his portrayal of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams' father Richard Williams in the biographical sports drama "King Richard." He apologized to the Academy when he delivered his acceptance speech without mentioning Rock's name.

On Monday, SAG-AFTRA, the union that represents actors like Smith and Rock, also condemned the altercation.

"As the union representing presenters and other performers working on the Oscars, SAG-AFTRA is focused on ensuring our members always work in a safe environment," the union said in a statement obtained by Variety. "Violence or physical abuse in the workplace is never appropriate and the union condemns any such conduct. The incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable."

The union said it has been "in contact" with the Academy and ABC about the incident and "will work to ensure this behavior is appropriately addressed."

Rock has "declined to file a police report" over the altercation, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to Variety.

In its statement, the LAPD said it is "aware" of an incident involving one individual slapping another during the Academy Awards program, without mentioning Smith or Rock by name. However, the department said the victim does not plan to press charges over the incident.

"If the involved party desires a police report at a later date, LAPD will be available to complete an investigative report," the statement concluded.

Sean "Diddy" Combs later told Page Six at the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty that Smith and Rock have already moved on from the issue and that there is no bad blood between the two men.

"That's not a problem. That's over. I can confirm that," Combs told the New York Post. "It's all love. They're brothers."