Will Smith Resigns From The Oscars Academy Over Slap

'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,' Smith said. '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.'

The actor also admitted that hitting Rock at the ceremony overshadowed other award recipients.
'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,' Smith, 53, said.

He also shared how 'change takes time and he is now 'committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason.'

Smith's 'immediate resignation' has been accepted by the Academy, which said it will 'continue to go through with its disciplinary actions against him for violating the group's norms of behavior. Smith resigned two days after the board of directors met to begin the disciplinary proceedings.

Smith's unexpected action comes just one day after sources close to the actor told The Sun that he and his lawyers were planning to write to the Academy to defend their case before his April 18 hearing.

'Things are hanging in the balance. He will write an official letter to apologize, and effectively beg for their forgiveness,' the source revealed Thursday. 

'He is also expected to hold a call with show bosses in the next 24 hours. April 18 is D-Day, though — he will find out if he still has an Oscar, and quite possibly, a career.'

A source close to Rock, however, told TMZ that the comic was never asked about kicking Smith out of the theatre.

'Chris told Packer 'I'm not pressing charges. All I want to do is leave.' He was never asked if he wanted Will removed. This is the Academy covering itself.'  

'We will go get him, we are prepared to get him right now,' the cops said to Rock, Packer recalled. 'You can press charges. We can arrest him.'

Smith apologized to the Academy, whose members vote for the Oscars and who puts on the program, but he didn't apologize to Rock in his acceptance speech.

On Sunday evening, Smith ridiculed the attack, posting on Instagram, 'You can't bring folks from Philly or Baltimore anywhere!!'

However, once the gravity of the situation became obvious, Smith issued a public apology 24 hours after the ceremony on Instagram, stating he wanted to publicly apologize to Rock. He described his actions as "unacceptable and unforgivable," adding that they had left him "embarrassed."

'I would like to publicly apologize to you, Chris,' he wrote. '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.'