Will Smith stated in a statement Friday that he has resigned from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences after hitting presenter Chris Rock on stage at last weekend's Academy Awards.
Smith said in a statement provided with CNN by his publicist, "I am withdrawing from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept whatever additional repercussions the Board deems appropriate."
"Change takes time, and I am determined to doing the work to guarantee that violence never again overtakes reason," Smith ended in his statement.
The Academy announced on Wednesday that it has "started disciplinary processes" against Smith following the humiliating incident at the Oscars on Sunday night.The group claimed that at a board meeting on April 18, "the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may include suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by the Bylaws and Standards of Conduct," including suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions.
Smith, on the other hand, has voluntarily departed the prestigious group of actors, directors, and producers.
In full, he said:"I have reacted immediately to the Academy's notice of disciplinary hearing, and I assume full responsibility for any and all repercussions resulting from my actions. My behavior during the 94th Academy Awards was shocking, terrible, and unforgivable. Chris, his family, many of my beloved friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home are just a few of the people I have hurt. The Academy's faith in me was betrayed. I took away the possibility for other nominees and winners to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. I'm inconsolably sad. I'd like to refocus attention on those who deserve it for their accomplishments, allowing the Academy to focus on the amazing work it does to foster filmmaking innovation and artistry. As a result, I am resigning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and I agree to face any additional repercussions imposed by the Board. Change takes time, and I'm determined to put forth the effort necessary to ensure that violence never again triumphs over reason."
By far Smith's most repentant comment came on Friday.
Approximately forty minutes after the slap, he apologized to the Academy during his broadcast award speech for best actor. He didn't apologize to Rock, however, in that speech.
The next day, Smith issued a social media apology to Rock.
On Friday, however, he was more harsher in his assessment of himself, calling his acts "shocking, hurtful, and unacceptable."
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