Will Smith responds to 10-year Oscars ban after Chris Rock slap

Will Smith’s action at the Oscars has shocked Hollywood. Photo: AFP

Will Smith has been barred from attending the Oscars for 10 years by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after slapping comedian Chris Rock at the event last month.

The group stopped short of taking away his best actor award, which he won for King Richard. Smith accepted that trophy at the Dolby Theatre on March 27, shortly after smacking Rock for making a joke about his wife’s short hair. Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, suffers from alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss.

"I accept and respect the Academy’s decision,” Will Smith sent via a representative on Friday (April 8).

Smith’s action shocked Hollywood. The actor resigned from the academy last week as he faced possible expulsion. Some people and companies may now be reluctant to work with him.

Smith repeatedly apologised, calling the slap "unacceptable and inexcusable”. He also said he would "fully accept all consequences”.

The academy doesn’t publicise data about members it has expelled or punished, but in the past five years it has kicked out Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski. The three were accused of sexual impropriety. None had their awards taken away.

The academy last updated its code of conduct in 2017, in the wake of the #MeToo movement. In a previous statement the group said Smith was under investigation for violating its rules around physical contact, abusive and threatening behavior and "compromising the integrity of the academy”.

A spokesman said the academy could suspend, expel or take other disciplinary measures against Smith. – Bloomberg