Will Smith has resigned from the motion picture academy following his Oscars-night slap of Chris Rock, saying he will accept any further punishment the organisation imposes.
A spokesperson for Smith issued a statement from the actor on Friday afternoon (US time).
"I will fully accept any and all consequences for my conduct. My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable," Smith said in the statement.
"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.
"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.”
His resignation came two days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science met to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the actor for violations of its standards of conduct.
Attendees at the Dolby Theatre watched open-mouthed as Smith mounted the stage and slapped Rock across the face after the comic made a joke about his wife's closely cropped head.
Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out.
A day after the incident, Pinkett Smith — an actor and talk show host — took to Instagram to promote "healing".
"This is a season for healing and I'm here for it," she said.
Rock, who was about to present the Oscar for Best Documentary, declined to file charges when asked by police.
Later in the ceremony, Smith won the best actor award for his role in King Richard.
Had he been expelled, Smith would have joined a small group of men removed from the Academy: Harvey Weinstein, Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby and actor Carmine Caridi, who was kicked out for sharing advance copies of films.
