Will Smith quits Academy for punching Chris Rock

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after punching comedian Chris Rock at the Oscars last Sunday, an act he described as “unforgivable.”

Smith, who won the Oscar for Best Actor at the ceremony, said in a statement Friday that “the list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all in attendance.” and a global audience at home.”

Following the incident, the Academy’s board of directors met on Wednesday to discuss how to punish Smith for violating his standards of conduct. The group has been criticized for letting him stay in the auditorium at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles after hitting Rock, who had joked about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair. She suffers from alopecia, which has left her bald.

The Academy said Wednesday it was considering disciplinary action against Smith, including possible expulsion or suspension. The group was due to meet again on the issue on August 18.

Smith said Friday that he had “responded directly to the Academy’s disciplinary hearing, and . † †[would]fully accept all consequences for my behavior”.

His resignation means he can’t vote for Oscars, but he can still be nominated.

Academy president David Rubin said the group had accepted Smith’s resignation and would “progress with our disciplinary procedures” ahead of the meeting.