Smollett had claimed in January that he was attacked by two people who made racial and homophobic slurs and allegedly put a rope around his neck. He was later arrested by the Chicago Police Department for staging the attack, but the criminal charges were dropped by a prosecutor earlier this week.
Rock’s comments were met with laughter from the Dolby Theatre audience in Los Angeles. He continued by asking “what the hell” Smollett was thinking.
Smollett, nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, lost to Jesse Williams of “Grey’s Anatomy.” Smollett did not attend the 50th annual awards.
Anthony Anderson said he was happy that the charges were dropped and had hoped that Smollett would attend the awards.
“I’m happy for him that the system worked for him in his favor because the system isn’t always fair, especially for people of color," Anderson told Variety.