Desk Report
Publish: 02 Apr 2022, 10:30 am
US actor Will Smith || Photo: Collected
US actor Will Smith has resigned
from the Oscars Academy after slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage during last
Sunday's ceremony.
"My actions at the 94th
Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable," his
statement said.
The Academy said it accepted the
resignation and would "continue to move forward" with disciplinary
proceedings.
Smith slapped Rock over a joke about
his wife's shaved head, a result of the hair-loss condition alopecia.
Less than an hour later, he was
awarded the best actor award for his role in "King Richard", where he
played the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.
"The list of those I have
hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved
ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home," Smith said
on Friday.
"I betrayed the trust of the
Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to
celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am
heartbroken."
The actor said he wanted to
"put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their
achievements".
He concluded that "change
takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again
allow violence to overtake reason".
The Academy's president David
Rubin said it had accepted Smith's resignation, but would continue its
disciplinary proceedings.
Rock addressed the episode during
a stand-up show in Boston on Wednesday, saying he was "still kind of
processing what happened".
The comedian, 57, who is
currently starring in his "Ego Death" tour of the US, was greeted with
a standing ovation by fans.
Rock had earlier decided not to
press criminal charges against Smith, reports say.
Smith's wife, actress Jada
Pinkett-Smith, broke her silence in a brief Instagram post on Wednesday,
writing: "This is a season for healing and I'm here for it."
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