Will: I ’ m out
Slap star leaves Academy
WILL Smith has quit the Oscars Academy after slapping Chris Rock at last Sunday’s ceremony.
The US star said lashing out at the comic had been “shocking, painful, and inexcusable”.
The Academy accepted his resignation but aims to continue disciplinary action against the 53-year-old.
Rock, 57, was slapped over a joke about Smith’s wife’s head, shaved due to her alopecia.
Smith then swore and ranted at Rock – but minutes later got a standing ovation when he won the best actor award for King Richard.
Rock, said to have declined to press charges against Smith, even silenced a heckler who blasted his attacker.
An audience member at his stand-up show shouted “F**k Will Smith!” But Rock replied: “No, no, no, no, no.”
In a statement, Men In Black star Smith said he had “betrayed the trust” of the movie business’ governing body. He said: “The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home.
“I deprived other nomi
nees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.
“I’m committed to doing the work to ensure I never again let violence to overtake reason.”
Academy governors will decide what other sanctions they may hand Smith on April 18.
One Academy member said: “It was already clear Will would not be back next year, no matter what happened. He will not be on stage to hand out an Oscar.
“Some of the members are saying Will jumped before he was pushed. The whole scandal has rocked everyone.
“It will take weeks before the Academy deals with the fallout from this. There are members who felt Will should have been arrested, removed from the ceremony and the Academy immediately.”
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Some think Will has jumped before he was
pushed