LOS ANGELES (Washington Insider Magazine) – Will Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Friday, nearly a week after hitting comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars.
Smith, who won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in “King Richard,” After the shocking on-stage assault, he faced disciplinary proceedings from the academy and the possibility of expulsion.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy,” In his statement, Smith wrote: “I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”
The actor stated that he is willing to take any punishment the organization considers suitable.
On Friday, Academy President David Rubin said the organization had accepted the resignation and will advance with its disciplinary actions.
Variety first reported Smith’s resignation on Friday.
With his withdrawal from the invitation-only group, Smith loses his voting rights.
Smith slapped Rock after the entertainer cracked a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, on stage during the event on Sunday.
Rock stated that he is excited to see Pinkett Smith in “G.I. Jane 2.”
Pinkett Smith reported in 2018 that she was diagnosed with alopecia, a hair loss disorder. Demi Moore plays a lady who shaves her head in military duty in the movie “G.I. Jane.”
According to the Los Angeles Police Department, Rock has refused to press charges.
Smith apologized to Rock on Instagram on Monday, writing, “I was out of line and I was wrong.” He expressed his embarrassment and stated that violence is not appropriate.
The governing board of the academy stated on Wednesday that it had begun disciplinary measures against Smith, which might result in expulsion, suspension, or other penalties.
Smith would have joined a select handful of men who have also been thrown out of the academy, including Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski, Harvey Weinstein, and actor Carmine Caridi, who was forced out for sharing Oscar screeners.
Any actor can be nominated for an Oscar and win one, but only members of the Academy can vote on the awards.
According to the Academy’s website, members vote for nominees in respective categories, and anybody can vote for Best Picture. They also vote for winners.
