Smith’s resignation comes after backlash over Chris Rock slapping incident at Oscars

LOS ANGELES — According to a Friday afternoon article on Variety’s homepage, Will Smith has resigned as a fellow of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

According to Variety writer Brent Lang, Smith, who slapped comedian Chris Rock during the live broadcast of the Oscars on Sunday night, was quoted in the article as saying his actions were “shocking, painful and inexcusable.”

Smith added that he would accept any consequences that the Academy’s Board of Governors doles out.

In a statement obtained by Variety, Smith added:

“The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, everyone in attendance and a global audience back home,” Smith said. “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived the other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for their extraordinary work. My heart is broken.”

Statement by Will Smith in Variety

After the incident, Smith apologized to Rock, saying he was “out of place” and “wrong”, adding that Rock’s joke about the medical condition of Smith’s wife, Jada, was “too hard for him to bear”.

During a stand-up performance in Boston on Thursday, Rock simply said he was “still dealing with the incident.”

To read the full article on Variety, click here.

Variety, Associated Press and Nexstar contributed to this report.

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