Will Smith and Chris Rock have a long-standing friendship that dates back to the 1990s. They first appeared together on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1995 and have since starred in several TV shows and movies together, including the mockumentary Torrance Rises in 1999. The two actors have been seen in several light-hearted moments at events such as the Kids' Choice Awards and Jada Pinkett Smith and Chris Rock even costarred in the Madagascar animated film franchise.
What was the recent tension between Smith and Rock?
However, the most recent interaction between Will Smith and Chris Rock was not so light-hearted. During the 2022 Oscars, Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith and her hair, to which Smith responded by storming the stage and slapping Rock across the face. This altercation took place moments before Smith won the award for Best Actor.
Following the incident, the Academy launched a formal review of the incident and condemned Smith's actions.
Was the Oscar 2022 the first time they had a fight?
This wasn't the first time that Rock made a joke about the Smiths during an awards show. In 2016, during his Oscars hosting gig, Rock called attention to Jada's decision to skip the ceremony and made a joke about it. Despite these moments of tension, the two actors have maintained a close relationship over the years, having shared the screen in several projects and being spotted together in social scenes.
In 2005, Rock even presented Smith with a Kids' Choice Award for his voice work in Shark Tale. Five years later, Rock and Smith were seen posing for a photo backstage at the same awards show with Smith's son, Jaden. Rock has also been quoted as saying that his kids are big fans of the Smith children and their music.
Have they worked together in a movie?
Will Smith and Chris Rock both lent their voices to characters in the 2005 animated film "Madagascar." Will Smith voiced the character of Alex, a lion who is initially the king of the Central Park Zoo and later becomes a castaway on the island of Madagascar. Chris Rock voiced the character of Marty, a zebra who is also a castaway on the island and is Alex's best friend.
Throughout the film, Alex, Marty, and their friends encounter various challenges as they try to find their way back to their home in New York City. The film was well-received by audiences and critics and spawned several sequels. It is clear that despite moments of tension, Will Smith and Chris Rock have a long and rich history that spans several decades.
The two actors have shared the screen in several projects, appeared together in several light-hearted moments, and have maintained a close friendship over the years. The recent altercation at the Oscars, however, serves as a reminder that even the closest of friends can have disagreements and moments of tension. Nevertheless, it is likely that Smith and Rock will continue to have a strong and lasting friendship, just as they have for the past three decades.
