My actions at Oscars are inexcusable; Will Smith resigns from Academy

LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actor Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences after his attack on host Chris Rock at the Oscars stage.

“My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate”, Smith said in his statement.

“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”, he added.

The Academy president said that they have accepted Will Smith’s resignation and will continue to move forward with disciplinary proceedings. A meeting to decide on further actions against the actor is scheduled on April 18. The Academy had earlier sought an explanation from the actor on the incident.

Will Smith had slapped host Chris Rock at the Oscars stage for joking about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s hairstyle. Jada suffers from a condition known as alopecia areata, which leads to hair loss.