Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as he faces possible discipline over slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars last Sunday.
Gatekeepers News reports that Will Smith announced his resignation in a statement Friday afternoon.
In the statement, the ‘King Richard’ actor described his actions as “shocking”, adding that he betrayed the trust of the academy.
“I have directly responded to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. 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,” Smith wrote.
“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. 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.
“So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.
“Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
The news comes just two days after the Academy’s leadership board met to start disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standard of conduct.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, founded in 1927, is the world’s preeminent movie-related organisation made up of more than 10,000 accomplished individuals working in cinema, according to the Academy’s website. The organisation recognizes excellence in the art of motion pictures.
David Rubin, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said in a statement Friday afternoon:
“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”
Will Smith initially apologised to the Academy during his televised acceptance speech for best actor, about forty minutes after the slap. But in that speech, he did not apologise to Rock.
Smith publicly apologised to Rock the next day via social media.
But he was much more critical of himself on Friday, calling his actions “shocking, painful, and inexcusable.”
