Will Smith banned from Oscars for 10 years following Chris Rock slap

The Oscars’ organiser has handed down its punishment for actor Will Smith following his outburst - but already it’s been labelled just a “slap on the wrist”.

Will Smith will be banned from attending the Oscars for a decade following his violent outburst at this year’s ceremony.

At a meeting held on Friday afternoon, US time, Oscars’ organiser the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) handed down the penalty but stopped short of stripping him of his Oscar.

It’s already been described as merely a “slap on the wrist” following his very real slap of comedian Chris Rock.

“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 (Oscars),” said AMPAS president David Rubin and chief executive Dawn Hudson.

The pair said Smith had committed “unacceptable and harmful behaviour” in a letter to the AMPAS membership.

The ban also means he will not be able to vote for future Oscar winners.

Will Smith during his emotional acceptance speech at the Oscars. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)

According to CNN, Smith swiftly issued a concise statement following the decision.

“I accept and respect the Academy‘s decision,” the actor said.

The almost 10,000 members of the Academy were reportedly split on whether he should have had his best actor gong for the film King Richard, awarded to him just minutes after the assault, taken away.

Website Deadline Hollywood said the punishment amounted to “little more than a slap on the wrist from the Oscar board of governors”.

Will Smith spontaneously assaulted Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars on March 27. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP)

Smith resigned before Oscars could push him out

Smith had pre-empted the Academy‘s decision when he resigned his membership the previous weekend. At the time, he wrote he would “fully accept any and all consequences” for his actions, but was “resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences” ahead of the meeting.

The meeting was originally convened for April 18 but earlier this week, the organisation moved it forward because it still complied with the 15 days’ notice it was required to give Smith.

Smith’s resignation from the Academy means he is no longer eligible to vote on the awards. He is still able to be nominated for and win future Oscars. The Academy has close to 10,000 members across different branches including acting, directing, writing, costume, publicity, sound design and more. Membership is by invitation only.

Smith shocked the audience in the room and the millions of viewers watching the live broadcast of the Oscars when he mounted the stage and struck Rock on the face.

Moments earlier, the comedian directed a joke at Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, targeting her shaved head. Pinkett Smith has openly talked about suffering from alopecia, a condition that results in hair loss, although it’s not clear if Rock was aware of her diagnosis.

Thirty minutes after the incident, Smith won the Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in King Richard. He gave a long speech in which he gave a general apology to the Academy and to his fellow nominees but not to Rock, and he didn’t directly address the violent assault.

Smith then spent the night celebrating at the Vanity Fair after-party, a move which apparently rubbed some Academy members the wrong way.

The actor will get to keep his Oscar.

The next morning, the Academy announced a formal review into the ceremony’s drama, and called out Smith for his violent actions.

Shortly afterwards, Smith issued a statement on social media in which he apologised to Rock.

“Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behaviour at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote. “Jokes at my expense are a part of the job but a joke about Jada’s medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally.

“I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong. I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be.

“There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.”

There have also been conflicting reports over the Academy‘s actions in the wake of the assault. The Academy claimed to have asked Smith to leave the ceremony and the star refused while the awards producer Will Packer said he told Smith he could stay.

In the aftermath, Smith has had several in-production projects dropped and delayed, including Netflix movie Fast & Loose and a Bad Boys sequel.