The Academy released the following statement:
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Board of Governors met on Tuesday night (May 1) and has voted to expel actor Bill Cosby and director Roman Polanski from its membership in accordance with the organization’s Standards of Conduct. The Board continues to encourage ethical standards that require members to uphold the Academy’s values of respect for human dignity.
It’s not the time to have any sort of conversation about this because who wants to be chased by an angry mob? I’ve had my fill of those to last a lifetime, thanks. I will say this: Chinatown will always be a masterpiece. Rosemary’s Baby remains one of the best horror films ever made. Roman Polanski, Adrien Brody deserved their Oscar wins for The Pianist. Frantic will always be one of the best thrillers ever made. Nothing can erase those things. But I suppose that the Academy doesn’t want to keep fighting this fight, to keep having to answer for what Roman Polanski did in 1977, 41 years ago.