Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, days after he hit comedian Chris Rock at the annual Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles.
In a statement released Friday, Smith said he would “accept any further consequences” that the group’s board deems appropriate.
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful and inexplicable,” he said.
The academy said later on Friday that it had accepted Smith’s resignation and that it would continue disciplinary proceedings against the actor.
Smith previously apologized to the academy and Rock. Minutes after slapping Rock on Sunday night, Smith won a best actor Oscar for his performance in “King Richard.”
“Love will make you do crazy things,” he said in his acceptance speech, one of the clearest allusions to his attack on the comedian.
Smith confronted Rock on stage after he joked about the close-cropped hair of Jada Pinkett Smith, Smith’s wife, who suffers from alopecia areata, a skin condition that can lead to hair loss. After attacking the Rock, Smith returned to his seat and shouted obscenities at his fellow star, who shook off the assault and went on to award the award for Best Documentary.
American actor Will Smith accepts the award for Best Actor for his role as “King Richard” on stage during the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022.
Robyn Beck | AFP | beautiful pictures
On Wednesday, the organization behind the Oscars said its board had initiated a disciplinary action against Smith for violating the group’s standards of conduct. At the board’s next meeting on April 18, it said, it would decide what action it would take, if any, including suspension or expulsion.
With Smith before leaving the organization, it is still unclear what the academy will do next. Smith’s resignation would prevent him from voting for an Oscar in the future, but he could still be nominated and win.
The Los Angeles Police Department is ready to catch Smith at Sunday’s awards ceremony, according to a producer of the show, but Rock denied the allegation. The Academy said that Smith refused to leave ritual after he hit comedy.
Rock, meanwhile, refrained from commenting too deeply on the slap. He spoke to the crowd at a comedy show early this week in Boston where he was “still processing what happened.”
Smith, who has been one of Hollywood’s wealthiest stars for decades, has made his name the star of blockbusters like “Independence Day” and the “Men in Black” series. But he’s taken on serious dramatic roles, such as in “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness,” in what seems like a quest for Oscars glory. Now, his long-awaited Academy Award will forever be associated with the most shocking moment in the show’s history.
Read Smith’s full statement:
I have responded directly to the Academy’s disciplinary notice and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, painful, and inexplicable.
The list of people I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all present and the global audience back home. I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I have deprived other nominees and winners of the opportunity to celebrate for their extraordinary work. I’m hurt. I want to focus back on those who deserve attention for their accomplishments and allow the Academy to return to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.
I therefore resign as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any other consequences the Board deems appropriate.
Change takes time, and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never let violence overwhelm reason again.
