American actor Will Smith has been barred from attending the Academy Awards and other events of the American Film Academy for ten years after he slapped comedian Chris Rock at the last Oscars ceremony.

The Academy of Arts, Film and Science, which hosts the Oscar ceremony, met virtually Friday to decide on disciplinary action.

Smith has apologized for his actions and resigned from the Academy.

The American actor hit the comedian Rock after the latter joked with the shaved head of Smith’s wife, who suffers from alopecia, a disease that causes hair loss.

Less than an hour after the event, Will Smith received the Best Actor Award for his role in the movie “King Richard”, where he portrayed the father of tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.

In a statement, the Academy said that the 94th edition of the Oscars “was overshadowed by the unacceptable and damaging behavior that Smith did on stage.”

The organization said that at the time Smith struck Rock, the Academy had not been prepared to handle the unprecedented situation properly and apologized.

The academy also thanked comedian Rock for showing restraint “under extraordinary circumstances.”

In his resignation letter, Smith wrote that he had “betrayed the faith of the Academy”, adding that he was “heartbroken” by his actions.

His resignation means he will not be able to vote for the upcoming Oscars.

The academy had originally planned to issue a disciplinary decision on April 18, but actor Smith’s resignation has accelerated the process.

Very few people have resigned from the Academy. Four members – producer Harvey Weinstein, actor Bill Cosby, director Roman Polanski and cinematographer Adam Kimmel – have been expelled from the Academy over allegations of sexual abuse, while actor Carmine Caridi was expelled in 2004 for film piracy.