Chris commented on Jada's shaved head... saying he can't wait to see 'G.I. Jane 2' - which elicited a few groans from the audience, to which he just shrugged.
Jada made her alopecia diagnosis public a while ago and documented her hair loss struggle.
Chris didn't think he crossed a line, but Will clearly did... because he stormed the stage and literally punched the guy in the face. A stunned Rock exclaimed, "Wow, Will Smith just smashed my face."
The American ABC broadcast was muted and even frozen, but other countries continued... and Will twice shouted at Chris, "Take my wife's name out of your f*cking mouth."
Chris eventually regained his composure and proceeded with the Oscars, but the room remained tense, and with a sense of unease, TMZ reports.
Will Smith went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard. The 53-year-old apologized to the Academy for his freak out during the acceptance speech that followed.
Chris Rock reacts
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