Can the Oscars take away an award?
In fact, though there are those who have rejected their Oscars (Marlon Brando, Dudley Nichols), only one award has ever been revoked in Academy history — the 1969 prize for Best Documentary, which was given to Young Americans before it was determined that the film was released in 1967 and therefore ineligible.
Smith could be excluded from eligibility for Academy Awards in the future, under the academy's right to punish offenders with what it calls “temporary or permanent loss of eligibility to receive or hold or revocation of Academy awards or honors.”
LOS ANGELES — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday that the actor Will Smith was asked to leave the Oscars ceremony after he slapped Chris Rock onstage Sunday night, but that the actor refused to go.
What does the resignation mean for Smith? When he resigned from the Academy, Smith gave up those aforementioned perks. His resignation, however, does not mean he will lose his Oscar for his role in "King Richard." He can also be nominated again in the future and be invited back to the ceremony, according to Variety.
Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Academy Awards, has expelled individuals from its organization before, it has not stripped an actor of their Academy Award. The academy has revoked an Oscar before, but for a film, not an actor.
Smith will keep the Oscar he won after the slap, and he will remain eligible to be nominated for and to win more of them in the 10-year period, though he can't show up to accept them.
When someone resigns from the the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that means no longer have any voting rights. They also no longer get access to Academy screenings of films to watch before voting.
Actor Carmine Caridi, best known for his roles in The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III, was the first person to be expelled from the Academy. He got the boot in 2004 after he was caught sharing "screening" copies of movies that were later bootlegged.
The Academy has never taken back awards. But after last night's Oscars ceremony, during which Best Actor winner Will Smith slapped presenter Chris Rock, many are wondering if there will be repercussions. Especially after the Academy sent this cryptic tweet last night. The Academy does not condone violence of any form.
Sacheen Littlefeather had only 60 seconds to speak at the 1973 Academy Awards. In her brief speech, she refused the Oscar for best actor on behalf of Marlon Brando, faced a mixture of loud boos and cheers, and defended the rights of Native Americans on national TV.
What does expulsion from the Academy Awards mean?
Expulsion from the Academy would mean a permanent disinvitation from all future Academy events, including the Oscars, a stripping of the ability to vote in the Academy Awards, and permanent ineligibility to win future Academy Awards.