The Motion Picture Academy announced Friday (April 8) that Smith would be banned from the Oscars for 10 years after slapping comedian Chris Rock during the live televised event on March 27. The incident occurred when Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife Jada Pinkett Smith, saying, “Jada, I love you. G.I. Jane 2, can’t wait to see it.” Jada, 50, has shared her struggles with the hair condition alopecia, resulting in her decision to rock a closely shaved haircut.

Will Smith, 53,  briskly made his way to the stage after the joke, and slapped Rock in the face before returning to his seat. Once seated, the actor shouted to Rock, “keep my wife’s name out of your f***ing mouth.” Within the hour, Smith won the award for Best Actor for his role as Richard Williams in the movie King Richard. Smith responded to the Academy’s disciplinary decision, saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” Rock, 57, who has been doing sold-out shows around the U.S,  says he will not talk about that night’s infamous moment until he gets paid. "I'm OK, I have a whole show, and I'm not talking about that until I get paid,” he told the audience, according to TMZ. “Life is good. I got my hearing back,” the actor said in front of a sold-out crowd in California.