The Academy Sends Letters to Members Promises ‘Appropriate Action’ Over Will Smith Incident

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has sent letter to its members in response to Will Smith’s conduct at Sunday night’s Oscars. The action comes just a couple of days after Smith slapped Chris Rock during the live broadcast on Sunday night when the comedian—who was presenting the Best Documentary—made a remark about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, which is due to her alopecia. Smith later subtly apologized to the Academy onstage shortly after receiving an Oscar for Best Actor in his role as Richard Williams in King Richard.

According to the letter, the Academy leadership is “upset and outraged,” which “overshadowed” the celebration of the film industry. The Academy’s Board of Governors will determine the appropriate action. There is a plan to meet on Wednesday night to discuss the altercation, but it will take a few weeks to complete an official process.

Read the Academy’s full letter below:

Dear Members,

Sunday’s telecast of the 94th Oscars was meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year. We are upset and outraged that those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior on stage by a nominee.

To be clear, we condemn Mr. Smith’s actions that transpired Sunday night.

As outlined in our bylaws, the Academy’s Board of Governors will now make a determination on appropriate action for Mr. Smith. As governed by California law regarding members of nonprofit organizations like the Academy, and set forth in our Standards of Conduct, this must follow an official process that will take a few weeks.

We will continue to update you on any developments, but we also ask that you respect your Board, Academy staff and the process as this unfolds so it can work in the considered way it was intended and mandated.

Please trust that the Board of Governors will conduct this process in a manner that is both expedient and respectful of all involved while maintaining the standards of the Academy.

Thank you,

David Rubin, President
Dawn Hudson, CEO