Winner of the Best Actor award Will Smith was offended by a joke made by host Chris Rock.
Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage during the Oscars ceremony last Sunday.
“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable,” his statement said.
The Academy said it accepted the resignation and that disciplinary processes would “go forward.”
Smith struck Rock for making a joke about his wife’s shaved head, which is due to alopecia, a hair-loss disorder.
He won the best actor prize for his performance as the father of tennis champions Venus and Serena Williams in “King Richard” less than an hour later.
“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said on Friday.
“I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. I am heartbroken.”
