Will Smith Gets 10-Year Oscars Ban For Slapping Chris Rock

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences handed Will Smith a 10-year ban from the Oscars and all Academy events for slapping Chris Rock at this year's awards show.

"In a way, it's like, Who are you punishing? Why are you punishing them?" Brian Cogan, a film professor at Molloy College, told Patch.

He felt Smith's bouncing from his front-row seat to strike Rock on stage was a blow of decorum.

Smith, who would win and address the stunned crowd a short time later, vaguely apologized to the Academy and his fellow nominees. Smith, whose mea culpa was expanded to include Rock, announced his resignation ahead of the Academy vote on disciplinary action. Cogan believes that ultimately led to a more lenient decision.

"I think then they might have said 'Let's take his Oscar back,' which has never been done for an actor before," he said.

Smith will keep his Oscar, and it appears he can compete for future trophies while on the banned list.

Cogan said the Academy is not consistent, waiting until 2017 to permanently ban Harvey Weinstein, accused of assaulting and harassing dozens of women over the years. Director Roman Polanski and Bill Cosby faced expulsion a year later.

"There's nothing really set down in stone as to what the penalties should be," Cogan said. "[The Academy doesn't] know what to do with things like this."

Smith's ban also means he won't get to "defend" his Oscar at next year's ceremony and introduce the Best Actress.