Will Smith resigns from film academy over Chris Rock slap

By LYNN ELBER
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Will Smith resigned Friday from the motion picture academy following his Oscars night slap of Chris Rock and said he would accept any further punishment the organization imposed. Smith’s resignation came two days after the academy met to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Smith for violations against the group’s standards of conduct. Film Academy President David Rubin says Smith’s resignation has been accepted and disciplinary proceedings will continue. On Sunday, Smith strode from his front-row Dolby Theatre seat on to the stage and smacked Rock, who had made a joke at the expense of Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.