Comedians Comment On Chris Rock's Reaction To Getting Hit

Jordan Claes
Will Smith slaps Chris Rock
Getty Images | Getty Images | ROBYN BECK

Rocky Balboa once said that life isn't about how hard you hit. Rather, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. In this sense, Chris Rock has proved his mettle.

Now, in the wake of the infamous Hitch-slap incident that occurred between Rock and an enraged/erratic Will Smith, his fellow comedians are weighing in with their own reactions.

In case you somehow missed it, Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at Sunday night's Academy Award show after the comedian made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

Will Smith
Giphy | The Academy Awards

It's been ALL anyone can talk about over the past few days, including comedians who believe Rock was the one disrespected.

Comedy duo The Lucas Brothers let it be known that Chris Rock has worked hard to earn our respect.

Chris Rock isn't just an icon — he's a living legend. I love Will Smith, but there's no argument as to whose legacy will live on long after they've gone.

Comedy legend Tim Allen tweeted that it's never OK to physically assault someone just because you happen to not enjoy the humor.

Tim Allen
twitter | @ofctimallen

"It’s not ok at a Comedy Club, concert hall or hosting some cheeseball award show. Chris Rock is a stand up[sic] comedian and a standup guy who carried on. I think I would have run."

Fellow contentious comedian Kathy Griffin worried about the precedent Will's slap would inevitably set.

If comedians are afraid of punches being hurled their way, they'll eventually start pulling their material. Nothing is sacred in the world of comedy — that's why they call it a joke.

James Corden commended Chris Rock for how he took the hit.

James Corden
Giphy | E!

"I mean, the whole incident threw me off in a huge way, also completely ruined my chances in the Oscar pool. I had Dame Judi Dench smacking Woody Harrelson."

"Seriously though, I applaud Chris Rock for recovering, keeping the show moving. It was an incredibly dignified response."

"I'll say this, Will Smith can't take a joke, Chris Rock can take a punch," Corden finished off. "A steel jaw. Unbelievable!" 

Finally, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel also praised Chris Rock during his opening monologue.

"Chris Rock, he handled it about as well as you could possibly handle being slapped on stage at the Oscars. He didn't even flinch when Will slapped him — I would've been crying so hard."

But during an appearance on a podcast, he opened up on how he felt about it even more.

Jimmy kimmel
Giphy | E!

“But in a way I feel bad for Will Smith too, I think he let his emotions get the better of him and this should have been one of the great nights of his life, and now it’s not… was there anyone [in the world] who didn’t like Will Smith an hour ago?”

“But in a way I feel bad for Will Smith too, I think he let his emotions get the better of him and this should have been one of the great nights of his life, and now it’s not…"

"Was there anyone [in the world] who didn’t like Will Smith an hour ago?”

One thing is for sure: this will go down in Oscars history!