Will Smith Resigns from Motion Picture Academy amid Chris Rock Oscars Assault Backlash

Will Smith attacks Chris Rock during the live Academy Awards Broadcast. Smith shouted &quo
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Jerome Hudson

Will Smith has resigned from the Motion Picture Academy on Friday nearly a week after assaulting comedian Chris Rock during the live broadcast of the Academy Awards.

Smith said in a statement released Friday afternoon that he would “accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.”

“I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” Smith said in the statement.

“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work,” Smith’s statement said. “I am heartbroken. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film.”

Smith’s resignation came two days after the academy met to initiate disciplinary proceedings against him for violations against the group’s standards of conduct.

On Sunday, Smith strode from his front-row Dolby Theatre seat on to the stage and smacked Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Later, he went on to win the best actor award for his role in “King Richard.”

***LANGUAGE WARNING*** 

Rock, who was about to present Oscar for best documentary, declined to file charges when asked by police.

He has only briefly addressed the attack publicly, saying at one comedy concert in Boston this week that he was still “kind of processing what happened.”

Smith shocked the theater crowd and viewers at home when he took the stage after Rock joked: “Jada, I love you. ‘G.I. Jane 2,’ can’t wait to see it.”

Pinkett Smith, who suffers from the hair loss condition alopecia, had a closely shaved head similar to that of Demi Moore in the original movie.

In the hours after the assault, Will Smith accepted the Best Actor award, delivered a six-minute acceptance speech, and performed his hit songs with fellow Hollywood elites at the Vanity Fair Oscars after party.

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Will Smith told the Hollywood Reporter “It’s been a beautiful night.”

The Associated Press contributed to this article. 

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