A blow-up at the Academy Awards has seen comedian Chris Rock appear to be struck in the face by actor Will Smith. 

Chris Rock was presenting an award when he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, that referenced her shaved head.

Pinkett-Smith has previously spoken about living with alopecia, which causes hair loss.

Her husband Will took offence, storming on to the stage, where he appears to have hit Rock in the face.

It is unclear at this stage if the confrontation was staged or not.

The entire Will Smith moment went to air uncensored in Australia: pic.twitter.com/qG8WL7DEub

— casey briggs (@CaseyBriggs) March 28, 2022

New Idea Deputy Editor Leigh Credlin told Sofie Formica Smith and Rock “do have a bit of history”.

“It is understandable why it did go this way,” he said.

“It did tarnish Will’s golden night. He did say love will make you do crazy things before joking that he hopes the Academy will invite him back but I’m not sure…”

Press PLAY below to hear the more on the shocking incident 

Image: Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images