Los Angeles

Hollywood actor Will Smith has opened up about the controversy surrounding his assault on Chris Rock at this year's Academy Awards.

He has offered his most unvarnished thoughts about an altercation that has marred his public image, despite being named Best Actor.

In an emotional YouTube post, Smith addressed why he did not apologise to Rock when he accepted the Best Actor prize for his work in 'King Richard' shortly after he charged the stage and slapped the comic for making a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's short haircut.

"It's all fuzzy," Smith said. "I've reached out to Chris and the message that came back is he's not ready to talk, and when he is, he will reach out."

Smith once again reiterated that he was sorry for his actions, calling his behaviour "unacceptable".

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The actor has said he had responded violently because Rock's joke referenced the hair loss that Pinkett Smith suffers because of her medical condition known as alopecia.