WILL SMITH was banned Friday from attending the Oscars for the next 10 years, two weeks after the actor stunned the world by storming on stage mid-ceremony to slap the comedian Chris Rock. Smith is also not permitted to attend any other events held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences over the next decade. The Board’s decision stopped short of revoking the best actor award Smith won last month for “King Richard,” or barring him from future Oscar nominations or wins. “The Board has decided, for a period of 10 years from April 8, 2022, Smith shall not be permitted to attend any Academy events or programs, in person or virtually, including but not limited to the Academy Awards,” wrote president David Rubin and CEO Dawn Hudson in a letter. In a brief statement to Hollywood trade publications, Smith said: “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” Governors from the Academy — Hollywood’s most prestigious group of some 10,000 filmmakers, which organizes the Oscars — convened on Friday morning to discuss actions against Smith. “The 94th Oscars were meant to be a celebration of the many individuals in our community who did incredible work this past year; however, those moments were overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior we saw Smith exhibit on stage,” said the Academy letter. Smith climbed onto the Oscars stage and slapped Rock across the face in response to a joke the comic made about his wife’s closely cropped hair. Actress Jada Pinkett Smith has alopecia, a hair loss condition. (SD-Agencies) | 