Will Smith resigns from Motion Picture Academy after Chris Rock Oscars night slap, says he's 'heartbroken'

Will Smith has announced his resignation from the motion picture academy after slapping actor-comedian Chris Rock on the Oscars stage for a joke directed at his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

In a statement released on Friday, Smith called his actions "shocking, painful, and inexcusable." 

The Academy president David Rubin said that Smith's resignation was accepted and disciplinary action will be initiated against him for the incident. 

"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.

“Change takes time and I am committed to doing the work to ensure that I never again allow violence to overtake reason," read Smith's full statement.

Soon after the slap, Smith was announced as Best Actor for his role in King Richard, which is based on the lives of tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams.

The Associated Press writes that Smith's resignation comes two days after the Academy announced that his actions violated their code of conduct. The leadership had met to decide the actor's fate which would have meant suspension or expulsion.

Had Smith been expelled he would have joined the ranks of Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby and the actor Carmine Caridi. 

The BBC writes that rock addressed the Oscars incident at a stand-up show in Boston on Wednesday, where he said he was "still kind of processing what happened." He has not filed charges against Smith for the incident.