Will Smith's career on the line as powerful Hollywood executive compares 'the slap' to war in Ukraine

Updated on April 29, 2022 at 3:38 PM

A Hollywood heavyweight has compared Will Smith’s slap at the Oscars to the war in Ukraine. Is his acting career over?

Will Smith: 'The slap' has been compared to the war in Ukraine

The former head of Disney Studios and founder of DreamWorks Studios, Jeffrey Katzenberg, has comparedWill Smith’s slap at the Oscars to the war in Ukraine. Katzenberg, one of the most powerful men in Hollywood, made the comment on Wednesday at the Simon Wiesenthal Center's National Tribute Dinner fundraiser for the Center’s Museum of Tolerance.

Discover our latest podcast

Intolerance on display at the Oscars

Katzenberg said:

Unfortunately intolerance continues to be on the rise no matter where we look. We see it vividly on display whether it be far off on the battlefields of Ukraine or right here in Hollywood on the stage of the Dolby Theatre.

The Dolby Theatre is the venue for the Oscars, where the infamous incident occurred. Katzenberg was speaking to 700 attendees from the industry, the biggest Hollywood gathering since the Academy Awards.

Guests included James Corden, who was master of ceremonies, will.i.am, LL Cool J, and Adam Levine. Co-chairs of the event included Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and producers Jerry Bruckheimer, Ron Howard, and JJ Abrams.

thumbnail — Jeffrey Katzenberg with his wife Marilyn Katzenberg Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

Is Will Smith's acting career over?

That the comment was made in front of such a star studded crowd, it is now being speculated that Will Smith’s acting career might be over. An executive with a major Hollywood studio told MailOnline:

Jeffrey Katzenberg is one of the most powerful and revered men in Hollywood. For him to publicly condemn Will Smith at such a prestigious event is a big deal. It means Hollywood isn't ready to forgive or forget. It definitely sends the signal that Smith's career is on life-support.

According to Mail Online, a source said:

The Wiesenthal event is attended by those who hold the power in Hollywood; studio bosses, producers, all the big agents. The feeling in the room was very much that Smith's career won't recover.

The gala raised $3.7 million for the Museum of Tolerance which commemorates victims of the Holocaust.

⋙ Will Smith: Chris Rock is planning his revenge after getting slapped at the Oscars

⋙ Will Smith and Jada: Couple could have 'ugliest divorce in showbiz history'

⋙ Jada Pinkett's lover dedicates a song to her as her relationship with Will Smith falls apart