Will Smith Resigns from the Academy Following His Assault on Chris Rock

Will Smith has tendered his resignation from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences after assaulting Comedian Chris Rock at the 94th Oscars Awards ceremony.

The 2022 Oscars award ceremony was a night that would remain relevant for decades. A few hours into the ceremony, there was a slight altercation between Will Smith and Chris Rock after Rock joked about Smith’s wife, Jada’s bald head caused by Alopecia.

Smith didn’t find Rock’s joke funny so he walked up to the stage and responded with a resounding slap on Rock’s face.

After the embarrassing episode at Sunday night’s Oscars, The Academy announced on Wednesday that it had “initiated disciplinary proceedings” against Smith.

Although Smith already tendered a public apology for his actions, he went on to announce his resignation from the academy, describing his actions as “shocking, painful and inexcusable”, adding that he would accept any additional consequences the Academy’s Board of Governors deemed appropriate.

Smith, in a statement obtained by Variety said, 

“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.”

His resignation comes ahead of a scheduled disciplinary hearing with the Academy’s Board of Governors.

David Rubin, President, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said in a statement Friday that the organization has received and accepted Smith’s “immediate resignation.”

“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,” Rubin added.

Disciplinary actions by the Academy include suspension or expulsion, along with “other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct,” the organization said.

By resigning, Smith will no longer be able to vote on Oscar-nominated movies and performances each year. His work, however, will still be eligible for future Oscars consideration and nominations.

In the midst of all these, Rock hasn’t reacted or dropped a statement.