Did Chris Rock Really Win $40 Million From Will Smith? The Shocking Truth Behind the Viral Claim
The viral claim that Chris Rock sued Will Smith and won $40 million over the 2022 Oscars slap is completely false. Chris Rock never filed a lawsuit against Will Smith, never received any settlement money, and declined to even file a police report after the incident.
Social media has been flooded with posts claiming comedian Chris Rock won a massive $40 million lawsuit against actor Will Smith for slapping him at the 2022 Academy Awards. The posts call it “the most expensive slap ever.” But here’s what actually happened—and what didn’t.
What Really Happened at the 2022 Oscars
During the 94th Academy Awards on March 27, 2022, actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face during Rock’s presentation for Best Documentary Feature. The slap was in response to an unscripted joke Rock made about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, a result of alopecia.
Rock joked that Jada’s appearance would make her perfect for a G.I. Jane sequel. After slapping Rock, Smith returned to his seat and shouted profanity twice at Rock, who briefly responded before completing his presentation without further interruption.
Later that evening, Smith won Best Actor for his role in King Richard. In his acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy but not to Rock. The next day, he issued a public apology to Rock through social media.
The Lawsuit Rumor Is Completely False
In August 2024, some social media users claimed Rock won a $40 million lawsuit against the actor over the slap. However, the multimillion-dollar settlement rumor was not true. There was no publicly available evidence Rock ever filed a lawsuit against Smith. TikTok
Snopes rated this claim “False.” TikTok Multiple fact-checking organizations including Snopes, Fact Crescendo, and Yahoo News have confirmed the lawsuit never existed.
The LAPD reported that Rock declined to file a report or press charges against Smith. TikTok Rock never took any legal action whatsoever—no criminal charges, no civil lawsuit, no settlement negotiations.
Where Did the $40 Million Figure Come From?
The confusion stems from a real $40 million deal that has nothing to do with Will Smith. Reports stated Rock received $40 million for his comedy specials. Per an article published by the Hollywood Reporter, the comedian was paid $40 million in a Netflix deal for two comedy specials. Wikipedia
That Netflix contract was signed in 2016—six years before the Oscars slap even happened. The money had zero connection to Will Smith or any lawsuit.
Chris Rock Never Considered Suing
After the incident, a story on gossip site Page Six, citing unnamed sources, said Rock wasn’t considering suing Smith. TikTok Rock chose to handle the situation his own way—through comedy.
As of 2024, Chris Rock has not chosen to take further action, and the rumor that Chris Rock received a $40M settlement from Will Smith turned out to be completely false. TikTok
In March 2023, Rock addressed the slap during his Netflix special “Selective Outrage.” He joked about the incident but made clear he wasn’t playing the victim. “And people are like, ‘Did it hurt?’ It still hurts. I’ve got [Will’s song] ‘Summertime’ ringing in my ears. But I’m not a victim, baby, you will never see me on Oprah or Gayle [King] crying. I took that hit like Pacquiao.” Memeburn
Will Smith’s Response
In 2022, Smith posted an apology video for the slap, saying: “I’ve reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he’s not ready to talk and when he is, he will reach out so I will say to you Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.” TikTok
Smith faced professional consequences from the Academy, receiving a 10-year ban from attending Academy Awards ceremonies. But he faced no criminal charges and no civil lawsuit.
Could Chris Rock Have Sued?
Slapping someone without their consent is an intentional tort, and a victim can often file a personal injury lawsuit for assault and battery if they suffer injuries in this manner. TikTok Legal experts confirmed Rock could have filed a successful civil lawsuit even without criminal charges being filed.
In many situations, a civil case succeeds without a related criminal case. If Chris Rock had chosen to sue Will Smith, he could have prevailed, even if the Los Angeles prosecutors had never filed charges.
Smith’s wealth would have made collecting any judgment easier than in typical assault cases. But Rock chose a different path.
Why the Fake Lawsuit Went Viral
Social media is buzzing with claims that comedian Chris Rock won a lawsuit against actor Will Smith for the infamous 2022 Academy Awards slap. Reports also assert Rock received up to $40 million in compensation—touted as the most expensive slap ever.
The false claim gained massive traction. One Facebook post received over 79,000 reactions, 12,000 comments, and 18,000 shares within days. The story spread across Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and other platforms throughout 2024.
The rumor combined two separate facts—Rock’s real $40 million Netflix deal from 2016 and the real Oscars slap from 2022—creating a believable but completely false narrative.
The Real Legal Aftermath
The actual legal consequences focused on Smith’s Academy membership, not courtroom battles. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences banned Smith from attending the Oscars for 10 years. He kept his Best Actor award but faced significant reputational damage.
Smith’s film Emancipation saw its release delayed to 2023 due to production issues, the controversy over Smith slapping Chris Rock, and an overcrowded film release schedule from Apple Studios. We Got This Covered The film earned only $3,000 to $4,000 per location in its limited theatrical run.
Rock continued his comedy career without pursuing legal action. Both men have moved forward professionally, though neither has publicly reconciled.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Chris Rock and Will Smith Incident
Q: Did Chris Rock sue Will Smith for the Oscars slap?
No. Chris Rock never filed any lawsuit against Will Smith. Multiple fact-checking organizations have confirmed this claim is false.
Q: Did Chris Rock receive $40 million from Will Smith?
No. Chris Rock received $40 million from Netflix for a two-comedy-special deal signed in 2016, six years before the slap happened. This had nothing to do with Will Smith or any settlement.
Q: Did Chris Rock file a police report after being slapped?
No. The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that Chris Rock declined to file a police report or press charges against Will Smith.
Q: Could Chris Rock have legally sued Will Smith?
Yes. Legal experts confirm that Rock could have filed a civil lawsuit for assault and battery and likely would have prevailed, even without criminal charges being filed.
Q: What legal consequences did Will Smith face?
Will Smith received a 10-year ban from attending Academy Awards ceremonies. He faced no criminal charges and no civil lawsuit. He kept his Best Actor Oscar.
Q: Where did the $40 million lawsuit rumor start?
The false claim went viral on social media in August 2024, confusing Rock’s real 2016 Netflix deal with the 2022 Oscars incident. The rumor has been debunked by multiple fact-checking organizations.
Q: Have Will Smith and Chris Rock reconciled?
Smith publicly apologized but said Rock wasn’t ready to talk. Rock addressed the incident in his 2023 Netflix special but has not publicly stated whether they’ve reconciled privately.
Disclaimer: This article provides factual information debunking false claims about a Chris Rock lawsuit against Will Smith. The information is based on verified reports from credible news sources, fact-checking organizations, and official statements from the Los Angeles Police Department. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions about assault, battery, or personal injury claims, please consult with a qualified attorney. Always verify celebrity news and legal claims through reputable news sources and official records before sharing on social media.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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