Will Smith has decided to resign from the Academy of Oscars after he slapped comedian Chris Rock in the middle of the awards ceremony, he announced in a press release.
“My actions during the 94th Oscar ceremony were shocking, painful and inexcusable”, writes Will Smith in this text quoted by various specialized media in Hollywood.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone who was in the audience or at home,” the 53-year-old continued.
“I resign as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any consequences the Board of Directors deems appropriate,” he said.
It was a joke by Chris Rock about the close-cropped hair of Jada Pinkett Smith, wife of Will Smith suffering from a disease causing significant hair loss, which had triggered the scandal on Sunday evening.
Will Smith suddenly got on stage and slapped Chris Rock under the dumbfounded gaze of celebrities and viewers.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other contestants and winners of the chance to celebrate their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken, ”he regrets in his text.
A few tens of minutes after the slap, Will Smith returned to the Oscar stage to receive the best actor award for his role in “The Williams Method”.
The Academy of Oscars has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the artist.
The Academy’s board of directors said it would meet on April 18 to decide on his case and decide on possible sanctions.