A blow-up at the Academy Awards has seen comedian Chris Rock appear to be struck in the face by actor Will Smith. 

Chris Rock was presenting an award when he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, that referenced her shaved head.

Pinkett-Smith has previously spoken about living with alopecia, which causes hair loss.

Her husband Will took offence, storming on to the stage, where he appears to have hit Rock in the face.

It is unclear at this stage if the confrontation was staged or not.

The entire Will Smith moment went to air uncensored in Australia: pic.twitter.com/qG8WL7DEub

— casey briggs (@CaseyBriggs) March 28, 2022

Will Smith won best actor for his role in King Richard soon after the violent outburst.

In his puzzling acceptance speech, the actor said “love will make you do crazy things”.

Image: Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images