The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will prohibit actor Will Smith from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years following his Oscars evening slap of Chris Rock, the group introduced Friday.
Smith, who slapped Rock for making a joke about his spouse, Jada Pinkett Smith, already resigned from the group behind the Academy Awards — a transfer that prevented the movement image 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 stated 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 group added.
In an announcement, Smith stated: “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” Rock’s consultant didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The announcement implies that Smith won’t be available to current the winner of one of the best actress trophy at subsequent yr’s Oscars ceremony — a practice the producers behind the present have adopted for many years. (Anthony Hopkins, who gained for his function in “The Father” final yr, handed one of the best actress statuette to “The Eyes of Tammy Faye” star Jessica Chastain this yr.)
In latest weeks, Smith, who gained a greatest actor Oscar for “King Richard” after he hit Rock, confronted intense scrutiny over his conduct on the Dolby Theatre on March 27.
In a tearful acceptance speech, Smith apologized to the academy. He apologized to Rock in an announcement the subsequent day.
In the open letter, signed by academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson, the group thanked Rock for holding his cool instantly after he was slapped.
“We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances,” the group stated. “We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.”
The academy apologized for not taking steps to “adequately address the situation in the room” after the incident.
“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 group stated.
It was not instantly clear how the academy would deal with an occasion the place Smith was nominated for his function in a movie however technically barred from attending the ceremony.
In “King Richard,” Smith portrays Richard Williams, the ambitious father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams. He was also one of the producers of the film.