Will Smith Resigns In Disgrace From Academy After Oscars Slap Incident

Will Smith, whose physical attack of Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars is still causing ripple effects in Hollywood, has officially resigned from the the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. Smith’s statement, released Friday night, comes in advance of the organization’s official announcement of the disciplinary actions taken against the Academy Award winning actor.

The full text of his statement can be found below:

“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. 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.”

Smith shocked the world by striding on-stage during the 94th Academy Awards and slapping comedian Chris Rock just moments after Rock made an innocuous G.I. Jane joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith. Smith then angrily bellowed at Rock “Keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth” … TWICE … in a moment that brought stunned silence to the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

Smith then went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, after which he delivered a haughty and tear-soaked acceptance speech in which he chose not to apologize to Chris Rock for his actions. Smith then spent the night partying with the sycophantic attendees of the Vanity Fair party.

All the while, Chris Rock has taken the high road, declining to press charges and refraining from addressing the incident in his stand-up set.

The Academy’s response to the whole situation has been wholly embarrassing. After initially releasing a statement saying that Smith refused orders to leave the Dolby Theater, TMZ reported that the Academy had lied. In an interview that aired on Good Morning America earlier today, Academy Awards lead producer Will Packer inferred that he left the decision to eject Will Smith up to Chris Rock, and Rock declined to force the Academy’s hand.

The Academy’s Board of Governors is set to meet in a few weeks to decide Smith’s fate. They could decide to take away Smith’s Oscar, they could decide to ban him from future Oscars, but Smith’s decision to resign from the Academy takes a bit of pressure off of the organization.

Tonight, the President of AMPAS, David Rubin, issued the following statement:

“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.”