The embattled popular US actor, Will Smith has resigned from the motion picture academy following his Oscars night slap of Chris Rock and said he would accept any further punishment the organisation imposed.
This development was contained in a statement from the actor which was issued by his spokesperson.
In the statement, the actor said “I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable”
“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.”
It should be noted that Smith’s resignation came two days after the academy met to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct.
It could be vividly recalled that Smith had strode from his front-row Dolby Theatre seat on to the stage and smacked Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Moments later, he went on to win the best actor award for his role in King Richard.
57-year-old Rock has declined to file charges when asked by police.
In a swift reaction, the Academy’s president David Rubin said it had accepted Smith’s resignation, but would continue its disciplinary proceedings. The decision of the Academy to continue its disciplinary proceedings leaves open the possibility that Smith could be stripped of the Oscar he won recently – although that seems unlikely – or he could be denied future appearance at Academy Awards ceremonies.
Resigning from the Academy is a big deal. Membership of this illustrious, invitation-only body is seen as a mark of achievement in itself.
Records have it that only a handful of people have ever been expelled: they include Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski – although it wasn’t clear that the same fate awaited Will Smith. He would have found out in a few weeks.
But Smith decided to seal his own fate, and forfeit his esteemed role as an Oscar voter – by quitting now. However, his action is not the end of the story.
Meanwhile, Smith’s wife broke her silence in a brief Instagram post, writing: “This is a season for healing and I’m here for it.”
