US actor, Will Smith has been banned from the Oscars gala and other Academy events for 10 years after he slapped comic Chris Rock at the Oscars.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Academy announced this In a statement.
The Academy said the 94th Oscars had been “overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr Smith exhibit on stage.”
Smith hit Rock for joking about his wife’s shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
Smith has apologised for his actions and resigned from the Academy.
In its statement, it said banning Smith was aimed at protecting performers and guests and “restoring trust in the Academy”.
The Academy said that at the time of the slap it did not “adequately address the situation in the room” and had been “unprepared for the unprecedented”. It apologised for this.
It also thanked Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances”.
In his resignation statement, Smith said he had “betrayed the trust of the Academy” and was “heartbroken” over his actions.
