Kenneth Lonergan | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Kenneth Lonergan, who directed Manchester by the Sea and won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for his work on the film, is defending Casey Affleck against his sexual harassment charges.

A student at Kenneth‘s alma mater Wesleyan University wrote an op-ed in the newspaper – pointing out the praise for Kenneth without mentioning his affiliation with Casey, despite harassment allegations to his name. If you didn’t know, Casey was accused of sexual harassment, but settled the case back in 2010 and he has adamantly denied any wrongdoing.

“Wesleyan University has an obligation to reject sexual violence of all kinds,” Connor Aberle, the student, wrote. “Therefore, it cannot claim credit for Lonergan’s success without also recognizing his role in promoting Casey Affleck’s career. Wesleyan must either be cautious in its alumni praise, or it must admit to its students that it cares only about building the Wesleyan University brand rather than social justice or the well-being of the Wesleyan community.”

Click inside to read Kenneth Lonergan’s response…More Here! »

Casey Affleck proudly holds his Oscar while walking the carpet at the 2017 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday night (February 26) in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The 41-year-old actor won the award for Best Actor for his work in the movie Manchester By the Sea and he was joined by girlfriend Floriana Lima to celebrate the big win. It was the first time they walked a red carpet together!

Casey was also joined by his movie’s writer-director Kenneth Lonergan, who won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Casey Affleck uses his time at the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards to get political.

While accepting the award for Best Male Lead for his role in Manchester by the Sea, the 41-year-old actor slammed Donald Trump‘s administration, calling it “un-American.”

“The policies of this administration are abhorrent and they will not last,” Casey said. “They are un-American.”

Casey was joined at the event by his Manchester co-star Lucas Hedges, director Kenneth Lonergan, and producer Matt Damon who was accompanied by his wife Luciana.

Also spotted at the awards show was Viggo Mortensen and his Captain Fantastic director Matt Ross.

Watch Casey‘s acceptance speech below.

Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams walk the carpet while attending the 2017 Oscar Nominees Luncheon on Monday afternoon (February 6) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Also in attendance at the event were co-star Lucas Hedges, director Kenneth Lonergan, and producer Matt Damon.

Casey is nominated for Best Actor, Michelle is up for Best Supporting Actress, Lucas is nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Matt is a nominee for Best Picture as the producer, and Kenneth is a double nominee with nods for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

Lucas flew to the west coast just for the day as he is currently in production on an Off-Broadway play in New York!

FYI: Michelle is wearing Louis Vuitton.

Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone take the stage together during the Directors Guild Awards on Saturday night (February 4) at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The La La Land co-stars presented their film’s director Damien Chazelle with the Feature Film Nomination Plaque during the event.

Also hitting the stage during the awards show was Casey Affleck who presented his Manchester by the Sea director Kenneth Lonergan with the Feature Film Nomination Plaque.

FYI: Emma is wearing a Louis Vuitton dress. Ryan is wearing a Bottega Veneta suit.

10+ pictures inside of the stars at the event…

Casey Affleck has a playful relationship with his older brother Ben.

The 41-year-old actor recently poked fun at him during his Palm Springs Film Festival speech.

PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Casey Affleck

“First, you have to see my film,” Casey said (via Extra). “If it’s sold out, which it might be, go see Ben‘s – it won’t be sold out, but it’s still very good.”

Pictured: Casey talks with Manchester By the Sea director Kenneth Lonergan at a screening and afternoon tea event held at 21 Club on Wednesday (January 4) in New York City.

15+ pictures inside of Casey Affleck at a NYC screening…More Here! »

Congratulations are in order for Casey Affleck, who won the award for Best Actor at the 2016 Gotham Independent Film Awards on Monday (November 28) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

The 41-year-old actor was joined at the event by his co-star Lucas Hedges, who was nominated for Breakthrough Actor, and director/writer Kenneth Lonergan, who was nominated for Best Screenplay.

Casey is a frontrunner for the Oscar next year and you can expect him to win many more awards this season!

Also pictured inside attending the event: David Oyelowo.