Academy FINALLY apologizes weeks later for Chris Rock jokes that offended Asians with 'tasteless and offensive skits'

More than three weeks after the 2016 Oscars, the Academy has apologized for what a group of actors and filmmakers of Asian descent called the 'tone-deaf' portrayal of Asians during this year's ceremony.

In a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, double Oscar-winning director Ang Lee, 'Star Trek' actor George Takei and more than 20 other people criticized the 'tasteless and offensive skits' regarding Asians and asked to ensure that people of all races are portrayed with dignity.

'In light of criticism over #OscarsSoWhite, we were hopeful that the telecast would provide the Academy a way forward and the chance to present a spectacular example of inclusion and diversity. Instead, the Oscars show was marred by a tone-deaf approach to its portrayal of Asians,' said the letter.

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The Academy apologized on Tuesday, saying that it 'regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive'. Several actors and filmmakers of Asian decent called Chris Rock's sketch (pictured) 'tasteless and offensive' in an open letter to academy leaders

Director Ang Lee was one of several prominent figures of Asian descent who signed an open letter to academy leaders that said Rock's jokes perpetuated an offensive, racist and overused stereotype

The Academy, which has pledged to double its numbers of women and minority members by 2020, apologized on Tuesday, saying that it 'regrets that any aspect of the Oscar telecast was offensive'.

'We are committed to doing our best to ensure that material in future shows be more culturally sensitive.'

February's Oscar ceremony was hosted by comedian Chris Rock, who lambasted Hollywood for its lack of diversity and in particular the lack of African-Americans among the 20 acting nominees for a second straight year.

Rock's offensive remarks came as he was noting that the Oscars' results were tabulated by the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Rock hailed the firm's 'most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives,' and then three Asian kids walked onto the stage carrying briefcases and wearing tuxedos, according to CNN.

The joke played on the stereotype of Asians being extremely smart, studious and hardworking.

The letter writers gave no details of their objections. But members of the Asian community were upset after the show at a skit in which Rock introduced three Asian children as Academy accountants.

While hosting Rock said: 'If anybody's upset about that joke just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids.'

In another part of the ceremony, British comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, appearing as a presenter, made an apparently off the cuff remark about the size of Asian genitalia.

'We'd like to know how such tasteless and offensive skits could have happened and what process you have in place to preclude such unconscious or outright bias and racism toward any group in future Oscars telecasts,' the letter continued.

In addition to 'Life of Pi' director Lee, the letter was signed by former 'Grey's Anatomy' star Sandra Oh, France Nuyen of 'The Joy Luck Club' as well as documentary makers and producers, all of whom are already Academy members. 

While hosting Rock said: 'If anybody's upset about that joke just tweet about it on your phone that was also made by these kids.' The joke played on the stereotype of Asians being extremely smart, studious and hardworking

Charlotte Hornets star Jeremy Lin (left) also voiced his frustration with Rock's sketch and just a day later, Lin tweeted about it

Charlotte Hornets star Jeremy Lin also voiced his frustration with Rock's sketch and just a day later, Lin tweeted about it. 

'Seriously though, when is this going to change?!?' basketball star Lin tweeted on Monday about the controversial joke. 'Tired of it being "cool" and "ok" to bash Asians smh [shaking my head] #Oscars.' 

Many others called Rock a hypocrite for making a joke about Asian stereotypes when he spent his entire monologue taking Hollywood to task for its systemic racism towards black actors.

'I was shocked that Latinos and Asians and Native Americans were not a part of this conversation,' Felix Sanchez, chairman and co-founder of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, told the Associated Press.

'They have this idea that the paradigm is still black-white and they need to expand the conversation. That it was so narrow is indefensible.'

The all-white list of acting nominees led to widespread criticism in the weeks leading up to Sunday night's show and to the hashtag movement #OscarsSoWhite.