Brendan Fraser, the ’90s heartthrob, has made a career comeback with his award-winning performance in The Whale. Fraser won the Academy Award for Best Actor for portraying Charlie, a house-bound 600-pound English teacher trying to rebuild his relationship with his estranged daughter. The emotional actor took the stage to accept his award, exclaiming, “so this is what the multiverse looks like!”
We felt that speech!
Fraser delivered a heartfelt speech, thanking his cast, crew, and family. He expressed his gratitude to Darren Aronofsky for giving him a creative lifeline and for adapting Samuel D. Hunter’s play for the big screen. He praised Hunter for his whale-sized heart and incredible talent, saying that being nominated alongside the other talented actors in his category was an honor.
Fraser has been the talk of the town throughout the award season, starting with a 14-minute standing ovation during the world premiere at the Venice Film Festival. He also received awards from the Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice Awards. When asked about the Oscar buzz, Fraser quoted author Herman Melville: “I know not all that may come, but come what may, I will go to it laughing.”
Fraser’s journey to success has been a long and challenging one. As a child, he was inspired to pursue acting after watching a performance of the musical “Oliver” in London’s West End. He has starred in many successful films, including “The Mummy,” “George of the Jungle,” and “Encino Man.” However, things took work to come, and he faced many challenges.
Award-winning ‘The Whale’
The Whale was originally performed as a play in an off-Broadway production in New York. Hunter adapted it for the screen for A24, and despite the pedigree of the playwright and Aronofsky’s attachment to direct, it took ten years to cast the role of Charlie. Aronofsky considered almost anyone on the planet to play this role, but putting Brendan in the film was a reason to make the movie.
The Whale explores themes of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Fraser’s award-winning performance has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth. The film also received nominations for Hong Chau for supporting actress and makeup and hairstyling.
In his acceptance speech, Fraser acknowledged that receiving the award could not have been possible without the support of his cast and the people in his life, including his sons Holden, Leland, Griffin, his manager Joann, and his best friend, Jeanne. He spoke of his appreciation for the facility he had at the start of his career, which he did not fully appreciate until it stopped.