On Friday, actor and recent Oscar award winner Will Smith tendered his resignation and said that he is leaving the organization voluntarily. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has accepted his resignation. The Board of Directors at Academy had begun self-described disciplinary proceedings against the “King Richard” actor after he slapped comedian Chris Rock on stage for making fun of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair style. The comedian was unaware that she suffered from Alopecia, a hair condition.
Will Smith might have been expecting harsh action against him by the AMPAS for his violent behavior on stage and might have decided to resign before he was formally asked to leave, according to sources. The actor reached fame decades ago from his appearance in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a popular sitcom that debuted in 1990. He has been a member of the Academy from 2001.
Smith released a statement that said that his “actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful and inexcusable.”
He added that he wanted to put focus back on those who had “deserved attention for their achievements. He completed the statement by saying that change took time and that he was committed to working on himself so that he would not “allow violence to overtake reason.”
The Academy said that it had accepted his resignation. President David Rubin also said that they would “continue to move forward” with proceedings. Their next meeting is scheduled to take place on April 18. Sources say that the full extent of actions against him cannot be gauged. However, they believe that he would no lose his Oscar award as those who faced disciplinary actions didn’t lose their award in the past, one of whom is Harvey Weinstein.
Will Smith hitting Chris Rock remixed with WWE 😂 pic.twitter.com/nSApamcpDg
– 13.💲💳 (@Babymike1313) March 28, 2022
Earlier on Wednesday, Chris Rock has said that he was “still kind of processing what happened.” On Oscar day, the 37-year old comedian had magnanimously chosen not to press charges against Will Smith, so no arrests were made by the Los Angeles Police Department. He can still press charges, if he wishes to do so.
On Wednesday, Jada Pinkett Smith posted a few words on Instagram. She said that it was “a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
(Photo Credit: Andrea Raffin)
