“I am canceling my membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and will accept any further ramifications that the board of directors deems appropriate,” Smith said in a statement his publicist shared with DailyExpertNews.
Smith’s statement concluded, “Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
David Rubin, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, said in a statement Friday that the organization has received and accepted Smith’s “immediate resignation.”
“We will continue our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy’s standards of conduct, ahead of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18,” added Rubin.
Disciplinary action by the Academy includes suspension or expulsion, along with “other sanctions permitted by statute and standards of conduct,” according to the organization.
Instead, Smith has voluntarily left the acclaimed organization of movie stars, directors and producers. By stepping down, Smith will no longer be able to vote for Oscar-nominated films and performances every year. However, his work will still be considered for future Oscars considerations and nominations.
His statement read in full:
“I responded immediately to the Academy disciplinary hearing and I will fully accept any consequences for my conduct. My actions during the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful and unforgivable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all in attendance and a global audience at home I have violated the trust of the Academy I have denied other nominees and winners the opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary I am devastated. I want to bring attention back to those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to go back to the incredible work it is doing to support creativity and artistry in film. So I take resigns from membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences as the board deems appropriate. Understanding takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.”
Friday’s statement was by far Smith’s most remorseful take on the matter.
He initially apologized to the Academy during his televised Best Actor acceptance speech about 40 minutes after the blow. But in that speech, he made no apologies to Rock.
But he was much more self-critical on Friday, calling his actions “shocking, painful and unforgivable.”
Chloe Melas of DailyExpertNews contributed to this story.
