Will Smith resigns from the academy after fallout from Oscars slap

• Will Smith resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences on Friday.
• The academy launched a formal investigation into Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars.

Will Smith has resigned from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences after slapping Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars.

"I have directly responded to the Academy's disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct," Smith said in a statement to Variety.

In addition to resigning from the academy, Smith said he will "accept any further consequences" from the governing board.

Here's Smith's statement in full:

I have directly responded to the Academy's disciplinary hearing notice, and I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. 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.

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. I want to put the focus back on those who deserve attention for their achievements and allow the Academy to get back to the incredible work it does to support creativity and artistry in film. So, I am resigning from membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and will accept any further consequences the Board deems appropriate.

Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.

Film academy president David Rubin said the board accepted Smith's resignation, the Associated Press reported.

"We will continue to move forward with our disciplinary proceedings against Mr. Smith for violations of the Academy's Standards of Conduct, in advance of our next scheduled board meeting on April 18," Rubin said, per the AP report.

Smith's resignation from the academy means he can no longer vote for the Oscars, but it does not bar him from being nominated nor attending future ceremonies. He can also keep the Oscar he won for best actor.

On Sunday night, Smith walked onto the Oscars stage and hit Chris Rock in the face after the comic joked about Jada Pinkett Smith's baldness. Rock said he couldn't wait for "G.I. Jane 2," a reference to the 1997 film in which Demi Moore shaves her head.

Pinkett Smith has publicly discussed having the hair loss condition alopecia.

After the incident, Smith won the Academy Award for leading actor for his role in "King Richard."

On Monday, the academy said it would launch a formal investigation into Smith's actions, which began Wednesday. In a letter issued to members, the academy said it was "upset and outraged" by the incident.

Earlier this week, Smith publicly apologized to Rock who has chosen not to press charges against the Oscar winner. In an Instagram post, Smith said the "G.I. Jane" joke "was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."

A representative for Smith did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.