In a statement, the Academy blasted Smiths 'unacceptable' and 'harmful' behavior that 'overshadowed' the entire evening.
'During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.
'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.
'We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.'
In a statement on Friday afternoon after the decision was reached, Smith told Deadline: 'I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.'
He had already resigned from the Academy last Friday, taking the decision out of their hands to rescind his membership is it did with Harvey Weinstein. Smith's wife Jada will still be allowed to attend in-person events.
The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage.
During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.
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 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.
We want to express our deep gratitude to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances. We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast.
This action we are taking today in response to Will Smith’s behavior is a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy. We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration for all involved and impacted.
The 54-person Board of G
overnors met on Friday morning after furious debate between its 9,000 members raged over the last 12 days in hundreds of WhatsApp groups.
The slap divided Hollywood and the public, with some insisting he should be stripped of his Oscar and not be rewarded for violence while others said dismissed it and mocked it on social media.
Smith slapped Rock on-stage after the comedian made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith's shaved head. Pinkett-Smith has been open in the past about her struggles with alopecia.
He the then won the Oscar for Best Actor in his role as Richard Williams, in the film King Richard. He used his speech to apologize to the Academy and to Rock, and he later posted an apology on Instagram.
Rock has kept quiet on the issue, speaking out only to say he was 'processing' what happened.
With the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences set to determine Friday whether Will Smith will be stripped of his Best Actor Oscar after slapping comedian Chris Rock on the show's stage, it appears there may be a split among those making the decision.
The organization's 54-member board of governors will make the ultimate call - but are having a difficult time coming to a consensus and are 'almost entirely split,' a source told The Sun.
Many said their hesitation toward taking the drastic step of rescinding Smith's Oscar was based on the fact that sexual predators Harvey Weinstein and Roman Polanski have not had their Oscars taken away.
'The decision was made earlier this week to expedite the hearing in the wake of Will's resignation, and during that call it was clear that the decision would go to the wire.'
'But, as we all know, Hollywood is a law unto itself, frankly.'
The academy's 9,000 members are also apparently split on the decision, the source said.
I accept and respect the Academy’s decision' (Will Smith).
The discussion is going on in 'hundreds' of WhatsApp groups containing the thousands of members.
David Rubin, the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, told the board Wednesday that he's moving a meeting originally scheduled for April 18 to this Friday at 9 a.m. PST.
'Following Mr. Smith's resignation of his Academy membership on Friday, April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.
'It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion,' he wrote in a letter.
Bloody bunch of racist. What's Rock's own sanction for such malicious joke or has that stage become some kind of stupid joke?
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