Hollywood Actor Will Smith has been banned from all the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences events, including the Oscars.
The governors of the board have decided to ban the best actor winner for slapping the host on the stage during the ongoing award ceremony. Smith has publicly apologized and resigned from the Academy.
On Friday, the Academy’s decision comes after its president, David Rubin, expedited a board meeting scheduled for 18 April in light of Smith’s voluntary resignation.
While referring the letter to the board members, Rubin said that AMPAS (Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences) rules stipulated a 15-day notice to consider suspending a membership, but that no longer applied due to Smith’s resignation.
Dubin added the 94th Oscars awards were meant to celebrate the achievements of the individuals in the community who did incredible work this past year.
However, the celebration was discolorated by the Smith’s unacceptable and harmful actions on stage.
Smith slapped Rock after the comedian joked about the appearance of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Shortly after the incident, Smith won the best actor award for his role as Richard Williams, father to Venus and Serena, in King Richard.
AMPAS later said Smith had been asked to leave the ceremony following the incident and refused, though later reports suggested that this was not a formal request and that the show’s producer, Will Packer, wanted him to stay.
It was later reported that Rubin and the AMPAS CEO, Dawn Hudson, had held a secret meeting with Smith two days after the Oscars ceremony.
In its letter announcing the ban, the board expressed “deep gratitude” to Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances” and also thanked “our hosts, nominees, presenters and winners for their poise and grace during our telecast”.
