The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has voted to prohibit actor Will Smith from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years following his Oscars night slap of comedian Chris Rock, the organization announced Friday.
Smith had slapped Rock for making a joke about his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. He had already resigned from the organisation behind the Academy Awards — a move that prevented the motion picture academy from suspending or expelling him.
“Today, the Board of Governors convened a meeting to discuss how best to respond to Will Smith’s actions at the Oscars, in addition to accepting his resignation,” the academy said in an open letter.
“The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards.”
The announcement means that Smith will not be on hand to present the winner of the best actress trophy at next year’s Oscars ceremony — a tradition the producers behind the show have followed for many years, CBS reports.
In recent weeks, Smith, who won a best actor Oscar for “King Richard” after he hit Rock, faced intense scrutiny over his behavior at the Dolby Theatre on March 27.
In a tearful acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the academy. He apologized to Rock in a statement the next day.
In the open letter, the academy apologized for not taking steps to “adequately address the situation in the room” after the shocking event.
“For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented,” the academy said.
