Will Smith resigns from Academy over Oscars slap

Will Smith and Chris Rock
(Image credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

The Academy won't have to expel Will Smith after all. The actor is leaving the organization on his own over his "shocking" behavior.

Smith announced Friday he's stepping down from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the group that hands out the Oscars, after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at Sunday's ceremony.

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.