LOS ANGELES — LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oscars producer Will Packer says Los Angeles police were ready to arrest Will Smith after Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. In a clip released Thursday of an interview with “Good Morning America,” Packer says police called the incident battery and laid out the options for Rock. But Packer says Rock was dismissive of the idea. Smith walked on the Dolby Theatre stage Sunday and slapped Rock after a joke the comedian made about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith apologized to Rock in a statement Monday. The academy met Wednesday to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith.

Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Chris Rock presents the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Posted at 5:00 PM, Mar 31, 2022
and last updated 2022-04-01 13:31:39-04
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.