Will Packer, the Oscars producer, recently spoke out about the Will Smith-Chris Rock slapping incident on ABC News. Will Smith was ready to be arrested at the Oscars when he slapped Chris Rock. According to Packer, Rock was “dismissive” of the notion and opted not to bring charges.
Will Packer revealed during an interview with Good Morning America that the LAPD was planning to arrest Smith for “battery” before Rock refused to press charges. He claimed they were saying, “You know, this is battery,” which was the word they used at the time. We’ll go get him, they said, and we’re ready”.
“The individual involved [Chris Rock] has declined to file a police report,” the LAPD said in a previous statement.
At the 94th Academy Awards, Packer led the first all-Black production team. He then told GMA that after slapping Rock for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. He didn’t speak to her directly.
Who is Will Packer?
Will Packer is one of Hollywood’s most well-known filmmakers. Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media are his companies, and he is the founder and CEO of both.
The producer was born on April 11, 1974, in St. Petersburg, Florida, and grew up there. In 1991, he graduated from St. Petersburg High School and went on to Florida A&M University.
Packer earned his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering magna cum laude in 1996. He began filmmaking with Rob Hardy while at university and worked as an intern with producer Warrington Hudlin.
Rainforest Films was started in Atlanta by the two after they graduated. Among the films produced by the organization are Trois, Trois: The Escort, Motives, Lockdown, The Gospel, and This Christmas.
Will Packer Media, a broadcast, digital, and branded content firm, was created by Packer in 2017. Ambitions, Ready To Love, The Baxters, Powerstar Live, Truth Be Told, Uncle Buck, Being Mary Jane, and the Emmy-nominated Roots remake are among the projects under the banner.
On October 29, 2021, the Will Packer Amphitheater at Florida A & M University was renamed in his honor. He was also selected as the 94th Annual Academy Awards producer.
Nina Packer was Packer’s first wife, whom he married in July 2001. Nija and Maya are their two daughters. In February 2009, the two split up.
After dating Heather Hayslett for a while, the director proposed to her live on stage at the 2013 Essence Music Festival. In August of 2015, the couple was married in Georgia.