Will Smith has been banned from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years. The ban on Friday, came two weeks after the actor stunned the world by storming on stage mid-ceremony to slap the comedian Chris Rock.
He is also barred from attending any other events held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the next decade.
The Board’s decision however did not include revoking the best actor award Smith won last month for “King Richard,” or barring him from future Oscar nominations or wins.
“The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” wrote president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a letter.
Reacting in a brief statement to Hollywood trade publications, Smith said: “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”
Governors from the Academy — Hollywood’s most prestigious group of some 10,000 filmmakers, which organizes the Oscars — convened on Friday morning to discuss actions against Smith.
The meeting of top brass was originally set to discuss suspending or expelling Smith, but he preemptively resigned from the group.
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