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| Casey Affleck Photo: Bex Walton |
He's been the subject of controversy for over a year, and now Casey Affleck has officially withdrawn from March's Oscar ceremony. "We appreciate the decision to keep the focus on the show and on the great work of this year," said the Academy.
The star, who won the Best Actor award last year for Manchester By The Sea, had been expected to present this year's Best Actress award in accordance with Oscar tradition.
Affleck has been on the receiving end of two sexual harassment lawsuits filed by women he worked with on I'm Still Here in 2010. Both lawsuits were settled out of court and as part of the settlement the star is not allowed to talk about them, but he has denied the charges.
Melissa Silverstein of Women and Hollywood, which works to promote equality in the industry, welcomed today's announcement.
