Will Smith banned from Oscars, other Academy events for 10 years

UPDATE: The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences voted Friday to ban Will Smith from any “Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” for 10 years.

The ban was in response to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock during this year’s Oscars ceremony.

The board’s statement read in part: “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.”

Asked for reaction to the ban, Smith said, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.”

Read the original report below:

The Board of Governors for the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences are meeting today to discuss possible sanctions against Will Smith for slapping Chris Rock at this year’s Oscars ceremony.

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The meeting will be held this morning at 9 a.m. PDT, according to an email from Academy president David Rubin obtained by CNN.

The board initiated disciplinary proceedings on March 30.

The board was originally scheduled to meet April 18, but has moved the date up in light of Smith resigning from the Academy last week, CNN reported. The “legally prescribed timetable” for action no longer applies, Rubin said.

Smith slapped Rock and unleashed an expletive-laden tirade after the comic made a joke on stage about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hair. Smith has alopecia, a condition that causes hair loss.

Smith has since apologized for his actions. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith said in a statement.

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