Will Smith banned from Oscars: A look at who else got the boot from the academy

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Will Smith was banned from attending the Oscars and any other Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences event for the next decade, the academy announced Friday following a meeting to address Smith’s slap of Chris Rock during the 94th Academy Awards last month.

Smith slapped Rock after the presenter made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head, referring to the 1997 film “G.I. Jane,” starring Demi Moore. Pinkett Smith, 50, has struggled with alopecia.

In addition to the board’s decision, Smith previously resigned from the academy.

Here’s a look at other Hollywood figures who have been banned from either attending the ceremony – similar to Smith – or from the academy altogether: 

Will Smith was banned from attending the Oscars and any academy event for the next decade, the academy announced Friday.
(AP/Chris Pizzello, File)

Adam Kimmel 2021

Cinematographer Adam Kimmel was banned by the academy last year and removed as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. 

Kimmel, who is behind films like 2005’s “Capote” and 1996’s “Beautiful Girls,” was arrested in 2003 and pleaded guilty to rape in the third degree, Variety reported. As part of his sentencing, he had to register as a sex offender.

In a statement to the outlet at the time, Kimmel stated it was “consensual sex with someone under the legal age of consent.” He was 43. The girl was under 17. 

In 2010, Kimmel was arrested again on charges of fourth-degree sexual assault, two counts of risk of injury and failing to register as a sex offender in Connecticut, according to the publication. Kimmel disputed the allegations but was convicted on the last charge. 

Variety noted this crime resulted in his removal from the Brad Pitt movie “Moneyball.”

Roman Polanski 2018

Roman Polanski was arrested in March 1977 for a number of offenses and remains a fugitive after he fled to France while awaiting sentencing in February 1978.
(Reuters/Charles Platiau)

In May 2018, the academy removed Roman Polanski as a member. 

Polanski, who won a best director Oscar for “The Pianist” in 2003, remains a fugitive after pleading guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977 and fleeing the United States the following year. He has been living in Europe since.

He had been an academy member for nearly 50 years at the time of his expulsion, and his films had been nominated for 28 Oscars.

Bill Cosby 2018

Bill Cosby was given the boot at the same time as Polanski. 
(Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images)

The news came not long after a jury in Philadelphia reached a verdict in Cosby’s retrial case for sexual assault. Cosby was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand during a 2004 incident. 

The sex assault conviction was overturned by Pennsylvania’s highest court in 2021. The court said it had found an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented Cosby from being charged in the case.

Harvey Weinstein 2017

Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the academy in 2017.
(AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

Harvey Weinstein was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in 2017.

In a statement at the time, the board said, “well in excess of the required two-thirds majority” of its 54 members voted to dismiss Weinstein, co-founder of Miramax and The Weinstein Company. The expulsion was effective immediately.

The decision came amid a slew of sexual harassment and sexual assault allegations. Weinstein has since been sentenced to 23 years in prison for third-degree rape and a criminal sex act. 

Weinstein has maintained he simply had consensual “extramarital affairs” with the victims. Weinstein still faces similar charges in California where he is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty. 

Carmine Caridi 2004

In 2004, actor Carmine Caridi was the first person to ever have his membership revoked. 
(Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

In 2004, actor Carmine Caridi became the first person to have his academy membership revoked. The “Godfather” actor had loaned out award screener videos.

“I sent [them] to people, besides my brother and sister, who couldn’t afford them,” Caridi said, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “I made a lot of people happy.” 

The star died in 2019 at the age of 85.

Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins 1993

The late Gil Cates, who produced the 1993 Oscars, vowed to ban Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. 
(Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)

The late Gil Cates, who produced the 1993 Oscars, vowed to ban Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gere had gone off script that year to protest China’s occupation of Tibet as well as the “horrendous, horrendous human rights situation,” while the latter two spoke out in support of Haitian refugees. All three were presenters.

Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon during the 65th Annual Academy Awards in 1993.
(KMazur/WireImage)

Sarandon and Robbins’ ban has since been lifted. Gere returned to the Oscars stage in 2013.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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