Steve Coogan brands Will Smith’s Oscars slap ‘an appalling arrogance’

Steve has addressed Will’s controversial slap on the Oscars (Image: Getty; Rex)

Steve Coogan has accused Will Smith of ‘appalling conceitedness’ for slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars, describing the incident as ‘the epitome of all that's twisted and horrible about Hollywood’.

Smith later apologised in a press release following the occasion, claiming Rock’s joke about his spouse Jada Pinkett Smith – referencing GI Jane 2 because of her hair loss, which is a results of the medical situation alopecia – had made him react ‘emotionally’.

Actor and comic Coogan mentioned the controversial second throughout an look on BBC Sounds’ Free Ends with presenter Clive Anderson, sharing his help for Rock.

When requested by Anderson whether or not he had ever seen or skilled one thing comparable throughout his profession, Coogan responded: ‘Nicely I imply to start with, I believed Hollywood confirmed itself at its absolute worst.

‘For all of the ethical posturing that Hollywood has, I feel all Hollywood’s ethical posturing are all the time industrial choices and in the event that they’re “ethical”, they’re dressed up as ethical however they're all the time backside line choices.’

He then revealed he was siding with fellow actors ‘Rob Reiner and Jim Carrey’, and added that if Rock needs to press costs, it ‘needs to be educational.’

Will Smith slaps Chris Rock on the Oscars (Image: Reuters)

Steve Coogan says he’s siding with Jim Carrey (Image: James Veysey/Rex/Shutterstock)

On Smith’s behaviour, Coogan continued: ‘I feel it’s an appalling conceitedness, the epitome of the whole lot horrible and twisted about Hollywood. Having stated that frankly you both consider in freedom of expression otherwise you don’t… Freedom of expression needs to be guarded in any respect prices.’

Carrey beforehand stated he was ‘sickened’ by Smith’s actions, and referred to as Hollywood ‘spineless’ throughout an look on CBS This Morning.

Producer, director and actor Reiner added that ‘there is no such thing as a excuse for what he [Smith] did’.

In his personal apology, Smith insisted that ‘violence in all its kinds is toxic and damaging’.

He has since resigned from the Academy, including in an accompanying assertion: ‘I betrayed the belief of the Academy. I disadvantaged different nominees and winners of their alternative to have fun and be celebrated for his or her extraordinary work. I'm heartbroken.’