Will Smith has been banned from attending Oscars ceremonies for the next 10 years after slapping Chris Rock in the face on stage at the awards show.
The announcement was made Friday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which said the decision was based on “the unacceptable and harmful behaviour we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage.”
The Academy issued its decision in a statement signed by its president, David Rubin, and Chief Executive Dawn Hudson after a meeting of its board of governors.
See the list of people that make up the Board of Governors.
The organisation also apologised for its handling of the matter as the Oscars telecast was underway.
“During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room,” the statement read.
“This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented.”
The academy’s decision came faster than many had expected. The group had signalled it might not announce a decision until after a board meeting on April 18.
How will Will Smith restore his reputation in Hollywood following Oscars slap? Read here
The reprimand from the academy comes as a formal response to the incident on Oscar night, when Mr. Smith slapped Mr. Rock on stage and then yelled profane comments at him after the comedian made a joke at the expense of Mr. Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Soon after that, Mr. Smith accepted his first Oscar award, picking up the best actor prize for his performance in “King Richard.” “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Mr. Smith said in a statement on Friday.
