Will Smith Resigns From Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Over Assault On Chris Rock At Oscars

By Edna Wande Last updated Apr 2, 2022

Will Smith Resigns From Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences Over Assault On Chris Rock At Oscars — US actor Will Smith accepts the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role for “King Richard” onstage during the 94th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. Robyn Beck | AFP | Getty Images

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, days after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Recall that Smith marched onto the Oscars stage on Sunday and hit Rock after the comedian told a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett’s bald head.

Rock’s joke was targeted at Pinkett Smith’s low haircut, a style she has embraced in wake of her alopecia diagnosis, a skin condition that can result in hair loss.

After striking Rock, Smith returned to his seat and screamed profanities at his fellow star, who shook off the assault and continued presenting the award for Best Documentary Feature.

In a statement issued on Friday, Smith said he would “accept any further consequences” the academy’s board of governors deems appropriate.

Smith, in a statement obtained by Variety, called his actions during the ceremony “shocking, painful and inexcusable“, adding that he would accept any additional consequences the Academy’s Board of Governors deemed appropriate.

The 53-year-old actor expressed;

The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.

Smith also acknowledged that slapping Rock during the ceremony caused other award winners to be overshadowed.

The 53-year-old actor stated;

I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.

He also shared how “change takes time” and he is now “committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason“.

His resignation comes ahead of a April 18 scheduled disciplinary hearing with the Academy’s Board of Governors in which he faces suspension, expulsion or other sanctions.

Shortly after the slapping incident, Smith was announced as the winner of the best actor award and went up to collect his statuette to a standing ovation from many of his peers.

In his acceptance speech, Smith apologised to the Academy whose members vote for the awards, and who stages the ceremony but stopped short of apologising to Rock.

However, as the gravity of the situation became clear, Smith then posted a public apology to Instagram 24 hours after the ceremony, saying he wanted to say sorry formally to Rock.

He said;

I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

With Smith preemptively leaving the organization, it is unclear what the academy will do next. Smith’s resignation will prevent him from voting for Oscars in the future, but he can still be nominated and win.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Police Department was ready to arrest Smith at the awards ceremony Sunday, according to a producer of the show, but Rock declined to press charges. The academy has said that Smith refused to leave the ceremony after he struck the comedian.

Rock, meanwhile, has refrained from commenting too deeply on the slap. He told a crowd at a comedy show earlier this week in Boston that he was “still processing what happened.”

Smith, who has been one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars for decades, had made his name as a star of blockbusters such as “Independence Day” and the “Men in Black” franchise.

However, he mixed in serious dramatic roles, such as in “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness,” in what seemed like a quest for Oscars glory. Now his long-sought-after Academy Award will forever be associated with the most shocking moment in the show’s history.