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'Is Chris Rock not famous enough?': Denzel Washington, Bradley Cooper COMFORT Will Smith after SLAPGATE

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for comparing Jada Pinkett Smith's hairstyle to Demi Moore's appearance in the movie 'G.I. Jane'

A viral video circulating online shows Will Smith being consoled by Denzel Washington, Tyler Perry and Bradley Cooper after the actor struck presenter Chris Rock in the face during the Oscars live broadcast on Sunday night, March 27. Rock, presenting the best documentary prize with a short comedy routine, compared Jada Pinkett Smith's hairstyle to Demi Moore's appearance in the movie 'G.I. Jane.'

Smith, who won best actor for 'King Richard,' walked on stage and slapped Rock in what at first appeared to be a scripted joke, but later turned into a shocking moment when Smith, back in his seat, shouted back, "Keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth." The slapping incident at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, broadcast live around the world, stunned both the live audience and TV viewers, leaving social media users divided over the altercation. 

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The viral clip has been shared by a Twitter user with the caption: "During the commercial break, Will Smith is pulled aside and comforted by Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry, who motion for him to brush it off. Will appears to wipe tears from his eyes as he sits back down with Jada, with Denzel comforting Jada and Will’s rep by his side." 

Commenting under the clip, one user wrote, "Wait a minute. Why are people comforting Will Smith? He is the perpetrator of a crime. This is a perfect example of toxic masculinity." A second wondered, "I feel they're comforting the wrong guy?." A third added, "Did anyone check on the guy that got punched or is he not 'famous enough?.'" A fourth wrote, "Denzel got involved!!! This shit was DEFINITELY real!!. "

A fifth commented, "Imagine Denzel and Madea having to simultaneously give you a dad talk." A sixth added, "This is community care." A seventh quipped, "You can always count on Tyler Maple Perry to be at the scene of the crime." A eighth wrote, "Do you think Tyler Perry did the Madea voice to calm him down." Meanwhile, others supported Will Smith's decision to strike Chris Rock for the comments he made on Jada Pinkett. One said, "Good for Will. No man should allow anyone to disrespect their woman."

Another wrote, "This is so fucking sad. Like y’all really don’t understand how harmful that joke was." Someone else added, "All I know is as open as Jada has been about her struggles with alopecia, Chris should have not made the joke. To find out that you have alopecia and your hair won't grow is something that can be a struggle. I ain't mad at Will much respect for him standing up for his wife."