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 Cosby and Polanski are the first known members expelled for
violating a conduct code the Academy adopted in December
following intense public pressure from hundreds of accusations
of sexual harassment or assault in the entertainment industry.
The Academy said in a statement its Board of Governors met on
Tuesday and voted to remove Cosby and Polanski, who had been
members since 1996 and 1969, respectively.
"The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require
members to uphold the Academy's values of respect for human
dignity," the body whose 8,000 members vote on the Oscars said
in the statement.
The expulsion comes as the entertainment industry grapples with
misconduct allegations that have led to dozens of politicians,
businessmen and entertainers stepping down or being dropped from
creative projects, sparking the #MeToo social movement and the
Time's Up campaign against workplace harassment and equal pay.
Cosby, 80, who was known as "America's Dad" for his role on
popular 1980s TV comedy "The Cosby Show," was convicted last
week of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in
2004. He faces up to 30 years in prison, and his attorney has
vowed to appeal the conviction.
Polanski, 84, who won the best director Oscar in 2003 for "The
Pianist," in 1977 admitted to having unlawful sex with a
13-year-old girl in Los Angeles.
The French-Polish director lives in France and fled the United
States following pleading guilty for fear his deal with
prosecutors would be overruled and he would get a lengthy prison
term. Polanski's case is ongoing.
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His attorney Harland Braun said Polanski was not given the chance to
present his case before the Academy.
"It's just shocking that the Academy would expel someone without a
fair hearing," Bruan said in a telephone interview.
In response, the Academy pointed to its conduct code, which says the
board "retains its independent duty and authority ... to address and
take action on any matter."
The Academy declined to say if Cosby and Polanski's convictions
played a role in their expulsion.
A Cosby representative did not respond to a requests seeking
comment.
Four Academy members are now known to have been expelled. Once
powerful producer Harvey Weinstein was expelled in October after
numerous women accused him of decades-long sexual misconduct.
Weinstein, 66, has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.
Actor Carmine Caridi was expelled in 2004 for distributing copies of
films that are sent to members.
(Reporting by Eric Kelsey; editing by Lisa Shumaker and Chris Reese)
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