Academy bans Will Smith from Oscars for 10 years for slapping Chris Rock

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences said Friday actor Will Smith will not be allowed to attend the group's annual Academy Awards ceremony for the next 10 years as punishment for slapping comedian Chris Rock on stage during this year's ceremony but he will allowed to keep the Best Actor award he won at the show. 

"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement obtained by multiple news agencies.

The decision was made during a Board of Governors meeting held earlier in the day in Los Angeles, according to CNN. 

Smith last week announced his resignation from the academy and has apologized for his actions.

The academy letter also stated: "During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room. For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short – unprepared for the unprecedented."

Smith slapped Rock at the March 27 show after he made a joke about the close-cropped hair of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. She suffers from hair loss due to alopecia.