Terry Crews voices support for Will Smith: 'The punishment did not fit the crime'

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By stefan armitage

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Terry Crews has spoken out in support of both his "dear friends", Will Smith and Chris Rock.

Both Smith and Rock were thrust into a media storm last month after the 57-year-old comedian made a joke about the Men in Black star's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Taking place at the 94th annual Academy Awards, Rock took to the stage and quipped: "Jada! I love you! G.I. Jane II, can't wait to see it" - a comment on the 50-year-old star's closely shaved head.

However, considering Pinkett Smith's history with alopecia, her 53-year-old husband took exception to the joke, storming the stage and slapping Rock in front of the live audience and viewers around the world.

Smith was subsequently banned from the Oscars for 10 years and voluntarily resigned from the Academy. He was, however, allowed to keep his Best Actor Oscar, which he won later in the evening for his role in King Richard.

Now, Brooklyn Nine-Nine star Terry Crews has spoken out about the scandal, and shared his support for both Rock and Smith.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, 53-year-old Crews said: "Both Will Smith and Chris Rock are dear, dear friends of mine. I love them both as brothers."

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Crews and Rock back in 2006. Credit: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy

However, Crews also recalled there being a time in his life when he "was Will Smith at that moment".

"Let me tell you, I’ve done worse than Will - way overkill, just... the punishment did not fit the crime," Crews said.

Crews - who played Rock's father, Julius, in the popular sitcom Everybody Hates Chris - also praised the comedian for maintaining his composure following the slap.

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Credit: REUTERS / Alamy

"The true definition of toughness was what Chris did in taking a punch and then holding everything together and then showing tremendous endurance and resilience in the middle of obstacles," Crews said.

In fact, Crews went as far as claiming Rock "saved Hollywood" with his response to the altercation.

"By just deciding to hold everything together, it actually, I think in a lot of ways saved Hollywood," he said, before explaining: "Because if there would’ve been a brawl on that stage, I don’t know if Hollywood would’ve ever gotten any respect again, you know?"

Featured image credit: Image Press Agency / Alamy