Will Smith banned for 10 years from the Oscars

The Academy voted on Friday to sanction Will Smith after he slapped comic Chris Rock at the 94^th Oscar Awards ceremony after Jada Joke. Will Smith has since apologised for his actions and resigned from the Academy. The actor hit Rock for joking about his wife’s shaved head due to hair loss condition alopecia. Less than an hour later he was awarded the best actor award for his role in “King Richard” where he played the father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science, which organises the ceremony said in a statement said banning Smith was aimed at protecting performers and guests and “restoring trust in the Academy”. The Academy also thanked Rock for “maintaining his composure under extraordinary circumstances”.

Smith in his resignation statement said he had “betrayed the trust of the Academy” and was “heartbroken” over his actions He added he would “fully accept any consequences for my conduct”. His resignation means he will be unable to vote for future Oscar voters.

Four academy members in the past including producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Bill Cosby, director Roman Polanski and cinematographer Adam Kimmel have been booted over sexual misconduct allegations while actor Carmine Caridi was expelled in 2004 for pirating screener videos given to him.