Here are the stars who have not been exempt from being banned by the organization.

Carmine Caridi, recognized for his appearances in “The Godfather” series, became embroiled in a controversy over piracy. He was found to have shared Oscar screeners, intended for Academy voting purposes, with a known film pirate, violating his agreement with the MPAA.

This infraction led to Caridi’s removal from the Academy in January 2004, setting a precedent as the first member expelled for such a reason. Reflecting on the incident, Caridi expressed remorse, noting he had intended to help someone who ultimately deceived him.

Will Smith’s Incident at the Oscars

During the 94th Academy Awards in March 2022, an altercation took place involving Will Smith and Chris Rock. Smith physically confronted Rock, using profanity, after Rock made a baldness joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, unaware that she suffers from alopecia.

Rock’s comment, which deviated from the planned script, led to the incident that night. Despite the altercation, Smith, known for his role in “Bad Boys,” received the Best Actor Oscar later that evening and stayed for the duration of the ceremony.

Opting out of the official Academy’s Governor’s Ball, Smith instead made an appearance at the Vanity Fair Oscar party. Although he kept his award and remains eligible for future Academy nominations, his behavior was seen as a breach of the standards expected by the Academy.

Following the widely publicized event, Smith took the initiative to resign from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He acknowledged the gravity of his actions, stating, “My behavior at the 94th Academy Awards was shocking, painful, and unforgivable. I let down the Academy.”

In a further statement on Instagram, Smith reflected on the night’s events, admitting his emotional response and denouncing violence as harmful. He extended a direct apology to Rock, saying, “I want to say sorry to you, Chris. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m ashamed. My actions do not reflect the person I strive to be in a world where love and kindness should prevail.” The Academy imposed a ten-year ban on Smith twelve days following the altercation, marking a significant repercussion for his actions on that night.

Expulsions of Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski for Sexual Misconduct

In 2018, the Academy took decisive action against Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski, removing them from its ranks due to allegations and legal judgments related to sexual misconduct, underscoring the film industry’s commitment to ethical behavior.

Numerous individuals accused both Cosby and Polanski of serious sexual offenses, leading to Cosby’s conviction on three counts of aggravated assault. Following these developments, The Academy declared through an official statement that its Board of Governors had voted to expel the two prominent figures, aligning with the organization’s Standards of Conduct.

The statement further reinforced The Academy’s dedication to high moral standards, stating, “The Board continues to promote ethical standards that demand members to maintain the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity.”

Adam Kimmel’s Career Collapse Renowned for his cinematic work, Adam Kimmel faced expulsion from the film industry after disclosures surfaced about his status as a registered sex offender. Kimmel found himself under arrest and charged on two occasions, in 2003 and 2010, for sexual offenses involving minors.

In the first case, Kimmel entered a guilty plea for third-degree rape in February 2004. Despite his conviction, he managed to maintain his industry career for a time, as his criminal background had not yet become public. Kimmel’s professional standing could not withstand the eventual public revelation of his offenses against minors, resulting in his dismissal from the Academy and the American Society of Cinematographers.

The Downfall of Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein, like others in the entertainment world, faced legal repercussions for his actions. He received convictions on multiple charges of sexual misconduct.

Weinstein was sentenced to two decades in prison for a first-degree criminal sexual act involving coercion of a production assistant in 2006, in addition to a three-year term for third-degree rape.

His 23-year prison sentence for these crimes became a pivotal point in the entertainment industry’s #MeToo era. Following the public revelation of his actions, Weinstein issued a statement expressing regret and his intention to seek therapy to improve himself.

The Academy’s decision to revoke Weinstein’s membership was a move towards addressing and condemning sexual misconduct within the industry. Their statement emphasized that Weinstein’s expulsion was not just to dissociate from an unworthy member, but also to declare an end to the industry’s previous overlook and implicit support of sexual predatory conduct and harassment in the workplace.

Weinstein, a once-celebrated film mogul with numerous accolades, including an Oscar, was found guilty of allegations involving sexual harassment or assault against several women. This marked a significant fall from grace for someone who was frequently acknowledged and praised during award acceptance speeches over the years.

Richard Gere’s Unscripted Advocacy at the Oscars

In 1993, during an Oscar presentation, Richard Gere veered off the prepared script to shine a light on human rights issues in China. He pondered aloud to the global audience, which he estimated at 1 billion viewers, if China was tuning into the broadcast, specifically questioning if Deng Xiaoping was watching.

Gere highlighted the dire human rights conditions in China and Tibet, expressing a hope for Xiaoping to withdraw his forces and allow Tibetans to live freely. This impromptu advocacy led to Gere facing an unofficial but extended exclusion from the Oscars.

Years on, the actor and activist mused over the incident, suggesting a shift in attitude. “It appears I’ve been given a second chance.

It’s funny how time makes people forget you were once not welcome,” Gere remarked.

 

These incidents underscore the complex nature of accountability and redemption in the entertainment industry, illustrating that no star, regardless of their brilliance, is exempt from ethical examination or the potential for rehabilitation.