Brendan Fraser, a beloved Hollywood actor, has made an unbelievable return to the spotlight with his latest starring role, earning him his first Oscar for Best Actor. But how did this Canadian-American actor go from the heights of the 90s and early noughties to a sudden disappearance, only to rise once more to international acclaim?
The Rise and Fall of Brendan Fraser
Born on December 3, 1968, Brendan Fraser enjoyed a successful career in the mid-90s and early noughties, starring in popular films like The Mummy trilogy, George of the Jungle, and Bedazzled. He even ventured into TV, playing roles in series such as Professionals and Doom Patrol. However, Brendan’s career took a turn for the worse in the early noughties, and he slowly withdrew from the limelight.
The Whale: A Turning Point in Fraser’s Career
After a lengthy hiatus, Brendan Fraser made a triumphant return with his stunning lead role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. In this film, he portrayed a 600lb reclusive English teacher attempting to reconnect with his teenage daughter. His powerful and emotional performance earned him his first-ever Oscar, which he described as an “honor.”
Despite not starring in a box office hit since the mid-noughties, Brendan Fraser’s net worth is an impressive £18 million, thanks in part to his latest role in The Whale, which reportedly earned him £10 million.
The Dark Side of Fame: Fraser’s Struggles
Brendan Fraser has been open about his financial struggles after work dried up and his divorce from actress Afton Smith. However, in a 2018 GQ interview, he claimed that a darker issue contributed to his career’s decline. Fraser alleged that he was molested by the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, and subsequently “blacklisted” from films.
The HFPA launched an internal investigation and concluded that Berk had “inappropriately touched” him but said his actions were “intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance.” Berk denied the allegations, and Brendan refused to attend the 2023 Golden Globes due to his “history” with the HFPA.
Personal Life: Love and Family
Brendan Fraser married Afton Smith in 1998, but the couple divorced in 2007, sparking a series of legal battles over child support payments. He later found love again with Jeanne Moore, a professional makeup artist and hairstylist, and the couple made their relationship public in 2022.
Fraser shares three children with his ex-wife, Afton: Griffin Arthur, Holden Fletcher, and Leland Francis. In a 2018 GQ interview, Brendan shared that Griffin is on the autism spectrum and that he co-parents his sons with Afton.
Brendan’s sons accompanied him to the 2023 Oscars ceremony, where they expressed their immense pride in their father’s achievements. They also revealed Brendan’s penchant for dad jokes during an interview on the red carpet.
