Will Smith, who won the Oscar for best actor shortly after the incident for his role in "The Williams Method", has since issued a public apology to Chris Rock and the Academy.
But many in Hollywood are calling on the organization that awards the Oscars to punish the star for his act of violence, which they say unfairly eclipsed the night's other winners.
In a letter to thousands of Academy members, the leaders said they were "outraged" by the incident.
"The broadcast of the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday was meant to be a celebration of the many people in our community who have done an incredible job over the past year," reads the letter, signed by the Academy's president, David Rubin, and General Manager Dawn Hudson.
“We are shocked and outraged that these moments have been overshadowed by the unacceptable and harmful behavior of a contestant on stage,” they continue.
It was a joke by Chris Rock about the shaved head of Jada Pinkett Smith, suffering from alopecia – a disease causing severe hair loss, which she revealed to suffer from a few years ago – which had triggered the scandal.
Will Smith suddenly got on stage and slapped Chris Rock under the dumbfounded gaze of celebrities and viewers.
The 53-year-old actor had yelled at her, "Leave my wife's name out of your fucking mouth!"
once back in his chair.
He then apologized on Instagram, apologizing to Chris Rock and the organizers: "What I did was inappropriate and I was wrong. My behavior last night at the Oscars was unacceptable and inexcusable."
"To be very clear, we condemn the actions of Mr. Smith," insists the letter from the Academy's leaders, promising to implement "appropriate actions" in accordance with the organization's regulations.
"This must follow a formal process that will take a few weeks," the letter said.
According to American media, the board of directors of the Academy of Oscars was to meet Wednesday evening to take stock of the ceremony, as every year.
Slapping Will Smith is their "top priority", according to CNN.
© 2022 AFP