Actor and comedian, Chris Rock, was smacked in the face on live television during the Oscars by fellow actor, Will Smith, after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinket-Smith, on Sunday night.

In one of the most bizarre moments at an award show, certainly a live viewing, Big Will made what seemed to be an innocuous approach to Rock on stage immediately after he joked about Jada starring the in the next GI Jane movie. The funny man, made comparisons to Jada’s bald looking head and to the characters shaven head in the movie.

Rock, was left stunned and gasping for words after the on stage altercation.

The audience was equally shocked into silence and confused as they puzzled how to react, not knowing if it was staged or genuine act of anger.

In an attempt to downplay the situation, Rock uttered, “Will Smith just smacked the sh.. out of me”. The comment pulled a type of nervous laughter from the audience.

Will, however, remained unamused, as he yelled an explicit demand of Rock to keep his wife’s name out of his mouth twice, despite the comedian beseeching to him the comment was just a joke. “Wow dude, it’s just a Gi Jane joke,” he said before agreeing to yield to Smith’s demands.

Later that evening, the Rapper Diddy attempted to make light of the situation by asserting that they are going to make up like family. “I did not know that this year was going to be the most exciting Oscars ever,” he said to which the audience erupted in laughter.

“OK, Will and Chris, we are going to solve it like family at the Gold Party, but right now we’re moving on with love,” he added.

Despite the relative calming of the situation, celebs and fans remained stunned and incensed by the situation, still unsure how to react.

Neither parties nor the Oscars have yet to issue a statement on the matter, addressing if the incident was genuine, or a rehearsed stunt.