Will Smith has been prohibited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years after he slapped Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars last month.
Per BBC News, the organizers met virtually on Friday to discuss the disciplinary action they would take after the King Richard star, 53, struck the comic, 57, after the latter made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith's short hairstyle.
"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 said in an open letter, per NBC News. "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 Pursuit of Happiness actor stunned the world as he left his seat to strike the comedian after he joked about her shaved head.
Pinkett Smith has previously spoken about being diagnosed with alopecia - an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.
When Rock joked: "Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can't wait to see it," Pinkett Smith could be seen rolling her eyes, while her husband, Smith, initially appeared to laugh at the gag.
Watch Rock tell the joke that landed him in hot water with Smith:The situation then took an unexpected turn when the Independence Day star suddenly launched onto the stage and slapped the funnyman, who responded in shock, saying: "Will Smith just smacked the s*** out of me."
Smith then repeatedly told Rock to "leave my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth."
Following the onstage altercation, watched by millions around the world, the LAPD confirmed that Rock refused to press charges against Smith, who has since apologized to the comic.
A day after the Academy Awards, Smith took to Instagram to apologize directly to Rock.
He wrote: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."
He continued: "I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.
"I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family. I deeply regret that my behavior has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us."
Smith concluded his post: "I am a work in progress."
