Will Smith Resigns From The Academy: I Am Heartbroken

Will Smith

Will Smith Resigns From Academy 

In the wake of slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, Will Smith has officially resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Will Smith, Chris Rock

He said in a statement:

“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home. 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.”

Academy president David Rubin said in a statement:

“We have received and accepted Mr. Will Smith’s immediate resignation from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18.”

As previously reported, during the Oscars, Rock made a joke Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, who has a shaved head (the actress has alopecia).

Will Smith just punched Chris Rock and told him "keep my wife's name out of your f***ing mouth" pic.twitter.com/YK5aQqv89t

— BACKUP ACCOUNT (@JasmineBrandTHE) March 28, 2022

While on Rock was still on stage, Smith walked up and slapped Rock. He then walked back to his seat and shouted at the comedian to keep his wife’s name out of his

“f*cking mouth.”

Later in the show, while accepting the Oscar for best actor for his performance in King Richard, Smith apologized to the Academy and fellow nominees. At the time, he did not apologize to Rock.

The following day, he apologized to Rock on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

Smith’s mother also did an interview following the incident, noting that she had never seen that side of her son.

#WillSmith's mother speaks about son's first Oscar, stage confrontation pic.twitter.com/g4kpcXJAAS

— BACKUP ACCOUNT (@JasmineBrandTHE) March 29, 2022

Later in the week, the producer of the 2022 Oscars telecast, Will Packer, spoke out about the incident.

Oscars Producer #WillPacker Says Says LAPD Was Prepared to Arrest #WillSmith: They said, ‘We will go get him’. (? @abcnews) pic.twitter.com/C9A1U2vnd5

— BACKUP ACCOUNT (@JasmineBrandTHE) April 1, 2022

What are your thoughts on Smith resigning from the Academy? Let us know in the comments.