Oscars host Chris Rock reportedly infuriated "Mystic River" star Sean Penn when he allegedly doubted the acting ability of Penn's latest co-star Jude Law.

During Sunday night's Academy Awards presentations, comedian Rock placed "Closer" star Law as a "second choice" for casting agents after Tom Cruise, reported Internet Media Database.

Rock said: "You want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law? Wait. You want Russell Crowe and all you can get is Colin Farrell? Wait. 'Alexander' is not 'Gladiator'. You want Denzel Washington and all you can get is me."

When Penn arrived onstage to present the Best Actress trophy to Hilary Swank, he took time off to defend Law, his co-star in the currently-being-shot "All The King's Men" by saying: "Jude is one of our finest actors."

Rock, who reportedly had a disagreement with Penn backstage, said: "Sean said because he's working with Jude on a movie right now, he felt the need to...I don't know. It's kind of funny."