Will Smith's mum speaks out on Oscars slap: 'First time I've ever seen him go off'

Denzel Washington and Jada Pinkett Smith speak with Will Smith after he hit Chris Rock at the Oscars. Photo: Reuters

Will Smith's mother, Carolyn Smith, told Philadelphia's local ABC affiliate Action News that she has never seen her son lash out the way he did at the 94th Academy Awards, where he took to the stage and slapped Chris Rock.

The comedian was presenting the Oscar for documentary feature and made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's bald head. Jada has alopecia, which causes hair loss, and shaved her head last year. Will returned to his seat after slapping Rock and yelled, "Keep my wife's name out of your (expletive) mouth!"