Will Smith wins Oscar for best actor and apologises to Academy for hitting Chris Rock

The 94th Academy Awards are under way in Hollywood, on the biggest night in the film industry’s year
• The full list of winners – as they are announced
• The best looks on the red carpet – in pictures

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22:29

Will Smith seems to hit Chris Rock

Chris Rock just came out and introduced the best documentary feature. He told some jokes. And then Will Smith came on stage and apparently punched him in the face. And then he (the guy who is supposed to be the best actor frontrunner) screamed “Keep my wife’s name out of your fucking mouth”. Twice. What the hell is going on?

Will Smith hits Chris Rock as Rock spoke on stage Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters

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11.31pm EDT

23:31

Chastain is now talking about LGBTQ persecution, and how everybody is unconditionally loved. And it’s wholly honourable, but in truth it is where nobody’s head is at right now.

11.29pm EDT

23:29

JESSICA CHASTAIN WINS BEST ACTRESS

… for The Eyes of Tammy Faye. And she’s just steaming straight into a boilerplate speech without acknowledging anything that happened. It feels a little like she’s been robbed of her moment.

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11.24pm EDT

23:24

This whole second half of the ceremony is like the This Is Fine GIF. But, look, here’s Anthony Hopkins.

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11.22pm EDT

23:22

And now Amy Schumer is back. “Did I miss anything? There’s like a different vibe in here?” she quips.

Co-host Amy Schumer Photograph: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

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11.20pm EDT

23:20

Well, I’d planned to go to sleep when the ceremony was done. I’m not sure I can now, though. Anyone want to come and do press-ups with me in a supermarket car park until the adrenaline goes down?

11.17pm EDT

23:17

Will Smith ends with: “I hope the Academy invites me back.” Will they? We will be talking about this for a long, long time.

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11.16pm EDT

23:16

They’re clapping. There’s a standing ovation. Crying, Will Smith calls Richard Williams a “protector of his family”. He’s saying “protect” a lot in a very pointed way. “I’m being called on in my life to love people and to protect people, and to be a river to my people,” he says. “You’ve got to be able to take abuse, you’ve got to smile and pretend like that’s OK.”

He mentions what Denzel Washington said to him after the punch: “At your highest, that’s when the devil comes for you”. He apologises to the Academy, and to his fellow nominees.

It is all over the place. But, as far as television goes, this is absolutely electric. “Love will make you do crazy things,” he says.

He’s rambling but he isn’t being played off. Who would dare?

Will Smith in tears as he accepts the award for best actor for King Richard Photograph: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

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11.10pm EDT

23:10

WILL SMITH WINS BEST ACTOR

Well. WELL.

11.09pm EDT

23:09

Will Smith’s nomination clip is being met with cheers from the audience. So that’s interesting./

11.08pm EDT

23:08

It’s the anniversary of Pulp Fiction. So Samuel L Jackson, Uma Thurman and John Travolta are dancing around and quoting old lines from the film. Oh god, they’re presenting best actor. Here we go.

Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, and John Travolta remember Pulp Fiction on its 25th anniversary Photograph: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

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11.05pm EDT

23:05

A new nugget about what’s going on backstage

Rebecca Lewis (Taylor’s Version)
(@bexlewis361)

Press backstage have just been warned against asking winners about anything to outside of their win… #Oscars

March 28, 2022

11.03pm EDT

23:03

Campion is striking a brilliantly deft tone here. She’s happy, but not overcome with emotion. She’s grateful, but not overblown. And, crucially, she isn’t drawing attention to The Nastiness.

11.00pm EDT

23:00

JANE CAMPION WINS BEST DIRECTOR

For Power of the Dog. Which might make it the frontrunner for best picture now. “Thank you Kevin, that was very dramatic”, she says. What did Costner say? Good lord. This night.