Will Smith could be stripped of Oscar today as Academy meets after Chris Rock slap

Will Smith could be stripped of Oscar today as Academy meets after Chris Rock slap
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Tom Evans

By Tom Evans


Published: 08/04/2022

- 12:26

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is set to determine whether Will Smith will be stripped of his Best Actor Oscar today

Smith sparked international controversy when he slapped comedian Chris Rock on-stage at the 2022 Oscars.

He resigned from the Academy last week after issuing a full apology to Rock over the incident.


It led David Ruben, president of the Academy, to move a meeting originally scheduled for April 18 to today.

He said: “Following Mr Smith's resignation of his Academy membership on Friday April 1, suspension or expulsion are no longer a possibility, and the legally prescribed timetable no longer applies.

“It is in the best interest of all involved for this to be handled in a timely fashion.”

Will Smith slapped Chris Rock with the eyes of the world on him
Will Smith slapped Chris Rock with the eyes of the world on him
BRIAN SNYDER

Will Smith posed with his Oscar after the slap
Will Smith posed with his Oscar after the slap
DANNY MOLOSHOK

The board could make Smith ineligible for future awards or bar him from attending future ceremonies temporarily or permanently.

They could also strip the 53-year-old of the Best Actor award he won less than an hour after the slap.

Smith won the Oscar for his role in King Richard.

The Academy has only rescinded one Oscar in its history.

That came in 1969, when it found that the documentary Young Americans had actually been released in 1967.

After footage of the slap went viral around the world, Smith issued a heartfelt apology to Rock.

In a statement posted to Instagram the actor said: “I would like to publicly apologise to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong.

“I am embarrassed and my actions were not indicative of the man I want to be. There is no place for violence in a world of love and kindness.

“I would also like to apologise to the Academy, the producers of the show, all the attendees and everyone watching around the world. I would like to apologise to the Williams Family and my King Richard Family.

“I deeply regret that my behaviour has stained what has been an otherwise gorgeous journey for all of us.”

Smith concluded his apology by saying: “I am a work in progress.”

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