Actor Will Smith has decided to resign from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) a few days after the incident slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.
Will Smith released an official statement published on Friday (1/4) local time. "I resign from membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and fully accept all the consequences for my behavior. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards were shocking, hurtful and inexcusable," said Will Smith.
David Rubin, who is president of the film academy, accepts Will Smith's resignation. "We will continue to pursue proceedings against Will Smith for breaches of the academy's standards of conduct before the next scheduled meeting," said David Rubin via apnews.com.
At the Oscars recently, Will Smith stepped from the front seat at the Dolby Theater onto the stage and slapped Chris Rock. Chris Rock had previously made a joke of offending Jada Pinkett, Will Smith's wife.
1. Potentially Joining These Actors
The resignation comes two days after the academy's leadership board met to begin an investigation into Will Smith for breaches of the academy's standards of conduct. If the results of the investigation are proven, it could result in Will Smith being expelled and given an additional sentence.
If expelled, Smith will join a group of actors who were expelled from the academy. They are Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby, and Carmine Caridi.
2. Will Not Repeat Violence
The 53-year-old actor also admitted that acts of violence in any form cannot be justified.
"Change takes time and I am committed to working to ensure that I will no longer be violent for any reason," said Will Smith. (kpl/ums)
