Topline Will Smith said Friday he had resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, multiple publications reported, and will accept any punishment imposed on him by the industry group, which has initiated a disciplinary process against the actor that could have led to expulsion for slapping Oscars presenter Chris Rock at Sunday’s awards ceremony. Will Smith accepts an Oscar for his performance in “King Richard” at the 94th Oscars at the Dolby … [+] Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 27, 2022. ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images Key Facts In a statement quoted by Variety, Smith described himself as “heartbroken” and apologized to the Academy, to Oscars nominees who were overshadowed by Sunday’s incident and to Rock, remarking that he had “betrayed the trust of the Academy.” Smith’s announcement came two days after the Academy announced it had begun disciplinary proceedings against him following the incident, which the Academy described as a “deeply shocking, traumatic event,” with expulsion or suspension among the options under consideration. The Academy’s board of governors, which indicated that disciplinary action against Smith may take place at its April 18 meeting, still has the option to ban Smith from future Oscars ceremon… Click below to read the full story from Forbes
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