As that Will Smith slap continues to reverberate around the globe, questions continue to be asked. Firstly about the conduct of the stars embroiled in the controversy and event organisers.
The dramatic events unfolded at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 27, 2022. Chris Rock made a joke about Jada Smith’s appearance causing Will Smith to storm the stage and strike the comedian.
After returning to his seat, Smith launched into an expletive-ridden tirade, shouting: “Keep my wife’s name out your f***ing mouth.” It is unclear if Rock was aware of Jada’s medical condition - she has alopecia.
Approximately 15 minutes later, Smith won the Best Actor award for King Richard. It is now known that the Academy had asked Smith to leave the premises after he slapped Rock and he refused.
The Academy has since issued a statement, detailing its plans of possible sanctions plus Smith’s potential expulsion in the coming weeks.
Can the Academy strip Will Smith of his Oscar?
Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which organises the Academy Awards has ejected individuals from its organisation, it has never stripped any actor of their Oscar. It has however revoked an Oscar for a film, but not an individual actor.
In its 92-year history five people have been ejected from the Academy. This means precedents exist, giving the it specific grounds for expulsion.
Here are the five individuals who have been kicked out of the Oscars
Carmine Caridi
Carmine Caridi was a star of The Godfather series and cult movie Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. An FBI investigation discovered he had been sending free film screeners, which he had access to as an Academy member, to others in exchange for money.
Caridi was the first ever Academy member to be expelled in 2004.
Harvey Weinstein
The movie mogul oversaw the biggest film budgets and was a power player in Hollywood for decades. Harvey Weinstein produced mega blockbusters including Good Will Hunting, Gangs of New York, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Apollo 18.
He was arrested and charged with rape in 2018. Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison and was expelled from the Academy in 2017.
Bill Cosby
The popular comedian and star of the long-running Cosby Show was one of the first celebrities whose actions fell under the spotlight of the #MeToo movement. Cosby was convicted of sexually assaulting a former basketball player and sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in 2018.
However, the courts overturned Cosby’s conviction based on a legal technicality. He is a free man however he has had multiple awards retracted, including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
He was expelled from the Academy in 2018.
Roman Polanski
2018 was an ignominious year for the Academy seeing two expulsions, firstly Bill Cosby, then Roman Polanski. The Polish-French film director was convicted of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
However, he absconded and carried on his director work overseas. Polanski was expelled from the Academy in 2018.
Adam Kimmel
Adam Kimmel made his name as a celebrated cinematographer despite being a registered sex offender. He worked on films such as Never Let Me Go and Beautiful Girls and was expelled from the Academy in 2021.
Statement from the Academy on Will Smith incident
It is unclear what punishment the Academy will mete out to Smith. Here is the full Academy statement first seen on Vibe.
The Board of Governors today initiated disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive or threatening behavior, and compromising the integrity of the Academy. Consistent with the Academy’s Standards of Conduct, as well as California law, Mr. Smith is being provided at least 15 days’ notice of a vote regarding his violations and sanctions, and the opportunity to be heard beforehand by means of a written response.
At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct. Mr. Smith’s actions at the 94th Oscars were a deeply shocking, traumatic event to witness in-person and on television.
Mr. Rock, we apologize to you for what you experienced on our stage and thank you for your resilience in that moment. We also apologize to our nominees, guests and viewers for what transpired during what should have been a celebratory event.
Things unfolded in a way we could not have anticipated. While we would like to clarify that Mr. Smith was asked to leave the ceremony and refused, we also recognize we could have handled the situation differently.
