Will Smith Banned from Oscars for 10 Years After Chris Rock Slap

The actor will not be allowed to attend the annual awards ceremony until 2032.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:37pm

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Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock on stage during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. Smith was not arrested but did resign from The Academy, which then formally reviewed the incident and issued the ban. Smith has apologized multiple times to Rock and his fans, but Rock has not yet indicated he is ready to speak with Smith about the altercation.

Why it matters

The slapping incident at the 2022 Oscars was one of the most shocking moments in the award show's history, sparking widespread discussion about appropriate behavior, consequences for actions, and the challenges of live television. The ban on Smith's attendance underscores The Academy's attempt to address the controversy and set a precedent for how it will handle similar situations in the future.

The details

During the 2022 Oscars, comedian Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, which is due to her struggle with alopecia. Her husband, Will Smith, then walked on stage and slapped Rock across the face. Smith returned to his seat and shouted, "Keep my wife's name out your f***ing mouth!" Smith later won the Best Actor award for his role in King Richard, and in his acceptance speech, he described himself as a "fierce defender" of his family. The Academy did not arrest Smith, but he did resign from the organization. After a formal review, they banned him from the Oscars and all related events for 10 years.

  • The 2022 Oscars incident occurred on March 27, 2022.
  • Will Smith was banned from the Oscars for 10 years, effective immediately after the incident.
  • Smith will be allowed to return to the Oscars in 2032.

The players

Will Smith

An American actor who won the Best Actor Oscar in 2022 for his role in King Richard, but was banned from the Oscars for 10 years after slapping Chris Rock on stage.

Chris Rock

An American comedian who was slapped by Will Smith on stage at the 2022 Oscars after making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The organization that presents the annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, and which banned Will Smith from attending the ceremony for 10 years after the 2022 incident.

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What they’re saying

“Will Smith just smacked the s**t out of me,”

— Chris Rock

“I'm being called on in my life to love people and to protect people and to be a river to my people. I know to do what we do, you gotta be able to take abuse, you gotta be able to have people talk crazy about you,”

— Will Smith

“At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.”

— Denzel Washington

What’s next

The Academy has stated that Will Smith will be allowed to return to the Oscars in 2032, 10 years after the incident. It remains to be seen if Smith and Rock will reconcile before then, or if Rock will choose to press charges against Smith.

The takeaway

The ban on Will Smith attending the Oscars for 10 years sends a strong message from The Academy about the consequences of inappropriate behavior, even from high-profile celebrities. It underscores the importance of maintaining decorum and professionalism at live events, and the challenges of navigating sensitive personal issues in the public eye.