Six-time Daytime Emmy winner Steve Harvey ‘lost a lot of respect for’ Will Smith after his violent assault against Chris Rock at the Academy Awards on March 27, which he called a ‘punk move.’

The 65-year-old presenter told attorney Mo Ivory at Georgia State University on April 27 that he’s ‘very good friends with’ the 57-year-old comedian, who cracked a bald joke about Jada Pinkett Smith.

‘I texted Rock after that and he said, “I’m okay, man. Just trying to work through it,”‘ Steve recalled. ‘I think he handled it admirably.’

‘Punk move’: Six-time Daytime Emmy winner Steve Harvey ‘lost a lot of respect for’ Will Smith after his violent assault against Chris Rock at the Academy Awards on March 27

‘You slap me? Will Smith, let me explain something to you. There’s no way you slapping me, turn around, button your jacket, and walk off that stage,’ Harvey continued.

‘They’re going to have to go to four commercial breaks. I’m not saying I wouldn’t get slapped. But I’m just saying, before you sit your a** back in your chair, Jada and everybody else have got to move out of the way, because we’re going to be down there moving furniture around, partner.’

The Family Feud host was disgusted over how the disgraced 53-year-old won best actor and then headed to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills where he sang along to his own songs.

‘That was such a Hollywood move. He knew he could get away with that. That’s why he did it. That’s all that he is, man,’ Steve (born Broderick) said.

‘I think he handled it admirably’: The 65-year-old presenter told attorney Mo Ivory (L) at Georgia State University on April 27 that he’s ‘very good friends with’ the 57-year-old comedian, who cracked a bald joke about Jada Pinkett Smith

Steve recalled: ‘I texted Rock after that and he said, “I’m okay, man. Just trying to work through it”‘

Harvey continued: ‘You slap me? Will Smith, let me explain something to you. There’s no way you slapping me, turn around, button your jacket, and walk off that stage’

The Family Feud host added: ‘They’re going to have to go to four commercial breaks. I’m not saying I wouldn’t get slapped. But I’m just saying, before you sit your a** back in your chair, Jada and everybody else have got to move out of the way, because we’re going to be down there moving furniture around, partner’

‘I lost a lot of respect for him that day…And then at the party he’s holding the Oscar dancing. Ah nah, homey, nah…I just thought it was soft, just a chump move.’

Will was last seen in Mumbai, India on April 23, and Harvey warned: ‘When you come out that cave, Steve gonna be out here waiting for you.’

However, the Judge Steve Harvey star just shared a TikTok video of himself hosting the eighth annual Ford Hoodie Awards back in 2010 that seemed to contradict his stance.

‘That’s mine right there. Yeah, I own you and you own me. I will kill everybody in here about your a**,’ Steve gushed to his third wife Marjorie seated in the audience in Las Vegas.

‘That was such a Hollywood move’: Steve was disgusted over how the disgraced 53-year-old won best actor and then headed to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in Beverly Hills where he sang along to his own songs 

Harvey said: ‘He knew he could get away with that. That’s why he did it. That’s all that he is, man. I lost a lot of respect for him that day…And then at the party he’s holding the Oscar dancing. Ah nah, homey, nah…I just thought it was soft, just a chump move’

Will was last seen in Mumbai, India on April 23, and the Judge Steve Harvey star warned: ‘When you come out that cave, Steve gonna be out here waiting for you’

‘Please understand that about the way I love you, Marjorie Elaine. You understand me? I’ll kill everybody in here. I swear to God I will. You can ask the Lord about me. I’ll kill every motherf***er in this f***ing place for you.’

Meanwhile, Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which banned him from attending any of their events – in person or virtually – for a decade.

The King Richard actor has six upcoming projects – many of which are on hold, including Netflix movie Fast and Loose, Apple TV+ action thriller Emancipation, and Sony Pictures’ Bad Boys 4.

Steve Harvey expresses his intense love for wife Marjorie

Say what? However, Steve just shared a TikTok video of himself hosting the eighth annual Ford Hoodie Awards back in 2010 that seemed to contradict his stance

Harvey gushed to his third wife Marjorie seated in the audience in Las Vegas: ‘That’s mine right there. Yeah, I own you and you own me. I will kill everybody in here about your a**’

He exclaimed: ‘Please understand that about the way I love you, Marjorie Elaine. You understand me? I’ll kill everybody in here. I swear to God I will. You can ask the Lord about me. I’ll kill every motherf***er in this f***ing place for you’

‘Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason,’ Will (born Willard) said in his April 1 statement.

‘My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.

‘I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.’

Will Smith SLAPS Chris Rock at the Oscars over joke about Jada

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‘My actions were shocking, painful, and inexcusable’: Meanwhile, Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which banned him from attending any of their events – in person or virtually – for a decade

‘I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason’: The King Richard actor has six upcoming projects – many of which are on hold, including Netflix movie Fast and Loose, Apple TV+ action thriller Emancipation, and Sony Pictures’ Bad Boys 4