The lawsuit stemmed from the dramatic incident at the Oscars ceremony, where Will Smith slapped Chris Rock onstage in response to a joke Rock made about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
The altercation, which was broadcast live to millions of viewers, ignited a media firestorm and sparked widespread discussions about professional conduct, personal boundaries, and the nature of public apologies.
Rock’s legal team argued that the slap not only caused physical harm but also significant emotional distress and damage to Rock’s career.
The court found in Rock’s favor, awarding him $40 million in damages.
