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The board of governors of the Academy of Motion
Picture Arts and Sciences took the action at a meeting held one
week after Smith pre-emptively resigned from the group over his
outburst at the live, televised event.
"The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many
individuals in our community who did incredible work this past
year," academy President David Rubin and Chief Executive Dawn
Hudson said in a statement.
"However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable
and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage."
In a statement, Smith said, "I accept and respect the Academy’s
decision." The actor has issued previous statements apologizing
to Rock, the Oscars producers, nominees and viewers.In addition
to the Oscars, the film world's most prestigious awards, the
board banned Smith from all other academy events and programs,
in person or virtually, for 10 years.
The group did not say, however, that he would be ineligible to
be nominated for Oscars during that time. Smith's next movie,
action thriller "Emancipation," about a man who escapes from
slavery, had been set for release later this year.
No update on the Apple TV+ film has been given since Smith
strode up to the stage at the March 27 ceremony after comedian
Rock made a joke about the appearance of the actor's wife, Jada
Pinkett Smith, then smacked Rock across the face.
Less than an hour later, Smith gave a tearful speech on stage as
he accepted the best actor award for his role in "King Richard,"
portraying the father of tennis superstars Serena and Venus
Williams. After the ceremony, he was seen dancing at Vanity
Fair's annual post-Oscars party.
Rock's joke about Pinkett Smith made a reference to the 1997
film "G.I. Jane" in which actress Demi Moore shaved her head. It
was unclear whether Rock was aware that she has a condition that
causes hair loss.
Dana Harris-Bridson, editor-in-chief of online entertainment
publication IndieWire, called the academy's ban of Smith "too
little, too late," saying the group should have removed the
actor from the ceremony at the Dolby Theatre.
After the fact, the academy had few options, particularly since
Smith resigned before his membership in the group could be
revoked, she said.
"The moment they had was the moment in the theater," she said.
In the Friday statement, the academy's leaders said they did not
adequately address the situation during the telecast.
"For this, we are sorry," they said. "This was an opportunity
for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy
family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the
unprecedented."
Shortly after the incident, the academy said it had asked Smith
to leave, but details of that statement have been disputed and
the actor did stay for the rest of the ceremony.
The academy's CEO and president also expressed "deep gratitude
to Mr. Rock for maintaining his composure under extraordinary
circumstances.
"We also want to thank our hosts, nominees, presenters and
winners for their poise and grace during our telecast," they
said.
"We also hope this can begin a time of healing and restoration
for all involved and impacted."
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Additional reporting by Alicia
Powell in New York; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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