Jim Carrey Blasting Will Smith Wasn’t Surprising After He ‘Avenged’ Cameron Diaz Like a Superhero

Known for his energetic slapstick performances and outspoken nature, Hollywood star Jim Carrey did not hold back from sharing his thoughts on the infamous 2022 Academy Awards incident, where Will Smith slapped comedian-actor Chris Rock, before going on to receive applause for winning the Oscar for Best Actor.

The incident, which continues to be remembered for its displeasing nature, prompted some heavy criticism from The Mask star. However, it was not the first time, Carrey expressed his disregard for inappropriate on-stage behavior, as the actor did for his former co-star Cameron Diaz, earlier at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards.

Jim Carrey Criticized Will Smith’s 2022 Oscars Slap

The 2022 Academy Awards will always be remembered for Will Smith’s unexpected and controversial moment when he took the stage to slap Chris Rock. Despite the incident, the ceremony continued with Smith eventually winning the Best Actor Oscar the same night, which met with huge applause and a standing ovation.

However, the Academy later banned Smith from attending its events for the next 10 years. The whole ordeal, however, didn’t sit well with Jim Carrey, who expressed his strong disapproval and slammed the industry in an appearance on CBS Mornings.

I was sickened — I was sickened by the standing ovation. Hollywood is just spineless en masse and it really felt like this is a really clear indication that we aren’t the cool club anymore.

The Sonic the Hedgehog star also criticized the decision to allow Smith to remain at the ceremony after the incident, suggesting that he “should’ve been” escorted out. Reacting to the news that Rock has refrained from pressing the charges, he said,

I’d have announced this morning that I was suing Will for $200 million because that video is going to be there forever, it’s going to be ubiquitous — you do not have the right to walk up on stage and smack somebody in the face because they said words.

Jim Carrey in Sonic the Hedgehog | Credit: Paramount Pictures

Carrey acknowledged that Smith has done commendable things in his career, and suggested that the slap could have stemmed from some deeper frustration. However, he also described it as a “selfish moment,” stating that it overshadowed the achievements of others on what should have been a night of celebration.

Jim Carrey’s ‘Vengeful’ Kiss at the MTV Awards

Jim Carrey and Cameron Diaz shared the screen in the 1994 superhero comedy film The Mask. The film not only established Diaz as a leading lady in Hollywood but also solidified Carrey’s status as a major actor of the 1990s, following the release of back-to-back hits like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Dumb and Dumber.

Carrey’s performance in the latter even earned him Best Comedic Performance at the 1995 MTV Movie Awards, where he took bold steps that many have since described as defending his co-star Cameron Diaz.

During the ceremony, Diaz presented the award for Best Kiss alongside musician Chris Isaak, who went a bit too far by kissing her even when she did not seem interested. “I knew you’d come around,” Issak said as he forcibly planted a kiss on her, leaving her visibly uncomfortable.

In response, Carrey, who won the award alongside his Dumb and Dumber co-star Lauren Holly, decided to give Isaak a taste of his own medicine. As he took the stage, the actor went in for a passionate kiss for Issak.

The musician, when found himself in the same predicament he had just put Diaz through moments earlier, was seen uncomfortably wiping his mouth following Carrey’s seemingly uninvited kiss on stage.