Will Smith has been barred from attending the Oscars for a decade after he slapped Chris Rock across the face on stage at this year's ceremony. The actor's outburst sparked an investigation by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences which led to a disciplinary hearing in Los Angeles on Friday (April 8).
In a statement, Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said: "The board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards."
The meeting had originally been planned to take place on April 18, but was brought forward after the actor resigned from the Academy last week. It was previously believed the star's resignation would not prevent the actor from being nominated for future awards, The Mirror reports.
Smith had won the Best Actor prize for his leading role in King Richard, taking to the stage to accept it not long after he had slapped Rock, who had joked that he couldn't wait to see Smith's wife Jada Pinkett Smith in GI Jane 2, referencing how Demi Moore famously shaved her head for the role.
Jada had previously spoken of developing alopecia and deciding to shave her hair off after it started to fall out. Smith apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees when he collected his prize, and later issued a public apology.
Smith said: "Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable. Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.
"I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness."
He added: "I would also like to apologize to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologize to the Williams family and my King Richard family.
"I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us. I am a work in progress."
