Will Smith says he will 'accept and respect' his decade-long ban from attending the Oscars
- Will Smith said he accepts the decision by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to ban him from the Oscars for 10 years.
- "I accept and respect the Academy's decision," Smith said in a statement to CNN.
Will Smith said on Friday that he accepts the decision by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to ban the actor from attending the Academy Awards for 10 years over his on-air slap of Chris Rock during the Oscars.
"I accept and respect the Academy's decision," Smith said in a statement to CNN.
Smith issued the statement quickly after the Academy announced in an open letter sent to Insider on Friday that Smith will be barred from attending "any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards."
The Academy's open letter also said the punishment is "a step toward a larger goal of protecting the safety of our performers and guests, and restoring trust in the Academy."
Smith sent shockwaves around the world when he got up and slapped Rock during the 94th Academy Awards on March 27 after the comedian cracked a joke about the bald head of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Insider on Friday.
During the awards show, Rock said of Pinkett Smith, "Can't wait for G.I. Jane 2." The co-host of "Red Table Talk" has been open in the past about her struggle with alopecia, a medical condition that causes hair loss.
Moments after the joke, Smith whacked a stunned Rock across the face.
When the actor got back to his seat at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Smith told Rock to "keep my wife's name out your fucking mouth."
Smith apologized for his actions via a statement on Instagram on March 28:
"Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night's Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable," his statement read in part. "Jokes at my expense are a part of the job, but a joke about Jada's medical condition was too much for me to bear and I reacted emotionally."
The "Men In Black" star apologized to Rock for the first time in the Instagram post, as well as the Academy, producers of the show, The Williams family, and the cast and crew of "King Richard."
He won an Oscar in the lead acting category for his role as Richard Williams in "King Richard" during the live show, moments after he slapped Rock. Smith is allowed to keep the award.
Netflix and Sony paused projects they had at different stages in development with Smith prior to the Oscars broadcast.