Will Smith resigns from film academy after slap scandal

US actor Will Smith (53) has announced his resignation from the film academy as a result of the slap in the face at the Oscars. His behavior at the award ceremony was “shocking, painful and inexcusable,” the Oscar winner wrote on Friday followingnoon (local time) in a statement published by the industry journals “Variety” and “Hollywood Reporter”. He hurt a lot of people, including Chris Rock.

He is giving up his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept possible further steps by the association, the statement said.

Smith smacked Rock onstage at Sunday night’s show following the comedian made a joke regarding Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. The Oscar Academy announced on Wednesday following an emergency meeting that disciplinary proceedings would be initiated once morest the “King Richard” actor. A possible consequence would have been the actor’s exclusion from the association.