"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith wrote on Instagram.

"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," Smith wrote on Instagram.

The apology comes hours after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday condemned Smith's actions and launched an official inquiry into the incident.

The apology comes hours after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday condemned Smith's actions and launched an official inquiry into the incident.

The altercation between Smith and Rock happened after the comedian made a joke at the expense of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

The altercation between Smith and Rock happened after the comedian made a joke at the expense of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

When Rock took the stage to present the Oscar for best documentary feature, he directed his comedy to the couple.

When Rock took the stage to present the Oscar for best documentary feature, he directed his comedy to the couple.

Smith wrote in his apology, "Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

Smith wrote in his apology, "Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

Pinkett Smith has been public about the fact that she is living with alopecia and has been candid about it: "Me and this alopecia are going to be friends period!" she wrote on Instagram last December.

Pinkett Smith has been public about the fact that she is living with alopecia and has been candid about it: "Me and this alopecia are going to be friends period!" she wrote on Instagram last December.

The Oscars took a tense turn after the slap. But Smith later won the best actor Oscar for his role in King Richard.

The Oscars took a tense turn after the slap. But Smith later won the best actor Oscar for his role in King Richard.

Will Smith has publicly apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him across the face on the Oscars stage Sunday night.

Will Smith has publicly apologized to Chris Rock for slapping him across the face on the Oscars stage Sunday night.