The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has "initiated disciplinary proceedings against Will Smith for his violent behavior during the Academy Awards ceremony, the association announced in a statement Wednesday.
"Today the board of governors initiated disciplinary proceedings" against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy's conduct guidelines, including inappropriate physical contact, abusive and threatening behavior, and endangering the integrity of the Academy," he said. the organization that awards the Oscars.
"At the next board meeting on April 18, the Academy may take any disciplinary action, which may range from suspension, expulsion, or other sanctions permitted by statute and rules of conduct," it added.
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March 29, 202203:18
Event organizers also said Smith had been asked to withdraw from the event
after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at Sunday's award ceremony, and that the actor refused to leave, according to Wednesday's statement.
In a letter to which our sister network NBC News had access this Wednesday, the Academy had advanced that it would take "appropriate actions" to deal with Smith's conduct.
In the letter, film academy president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said the nonprofit's leaders were "upset and outraged" that the celebration of the film industry's achievements this year was
"overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior of a nominee on stage"
.
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“The Academy Board of Governors will now make a determination on the appropriate action for Mr. Smith,” they said.
The process "will take a few weeks," they said.
"We will continue to report any developments, but we also ask that you respect the Academy board, staff, and process as it unfolds so that it can function in an orderly manner, as established," they added.
The academy confirmed on Monday that it had launched a "formal investigation" into the incident, without providing details on what that process would look like.
Actor Will Smith accepting his award for best actor at the Oscars on March 27, 2022. ROBYN BECK / AFP via Getty Images
Smith, who won the best actor Oscar for the drama
King Richard
, publicly apologized to Rock on Monday, saying in a statement that his behavior had been "out of character" and he was "embarrassed."
"Violence in all its forms is poisonous and destructive," Smith said in a message posted Monday night on Instagram.
"My behavior at the Academy Awards last night was unacceptable and inexcusable."
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Smith slapped Rock after the comedian made a joke about the appearance of his wife, Jada Pinkett.
He then returned to his seat in the Dolby Theater and yelled,
"Keep my wife's name out of your fucking mouth!"
Rock kept his composure after being slapped, even joking that it was "the best night in television history."
He also declined to press charges against Smith, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Rock has not spoken publicly about the incident, but will have a public appearance Wednesday night in Boston.