The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has officially announced that Will Smith has been banned from the Academy Awards telecast for the next ten years. According to CNN, the decision was made as a result of his slapping comedian Chris Rock onstage after Rock made a joke about Smith's wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith, during this year's Oscar ceremony.

"The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Mr. Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards," Academy President David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson said in a statement on Friday.

The decision was made following Smith announcing his resignation from the Academy last week. During a Board of Governors meeting held earlier in Los Angeles, initially scheduled for April 18, it was determined that the Oscar-winning actor would be banned.

Smith took home this year's Oscar for Best Actor for his performance as Richard Williams, father of tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams, in the film King Richard. During his tearful acceptance speech, he apologized to the Academy for slapping Rock just minutes before.

"The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year," the Academy stated. "However, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Mr. Smith exhibit on stage."

"During our telecast, we did not adequately address the situation in the room," the letter went on to state. "For this, we are sorry. This was an opportunity for us to set an example for our guests, viewers and our Academy family around the world, and we fell short — unprepared for the unprecedented."