In a stunning comeback, on Sunday, March 12, 2023, Brendan Fraser won the Oscar in the best actor category for playing an inspiring role in the movie The Whale. The emotional actor took to the stage with tears in his eyes and expressed his gratitude to the Academy for the honour, as well as to his studio, A24, for producing such a daring film.
Fraser’s speech was peppered with whale-inspired references as he thanked those who played a role in the movie’s creation. He expressed his appreciation to Darren Aronofsky for pitching him a realistic script and bringing him on board The Whale cruise ship. Samuel D. Hunter, the film’s writer, was also thanked for being their lighthouse in the production process.
The gracious actor then turned his attention to his fellow nominees, praising them for laying their whale-sized hearts bare and allowing the audience to see into their souls. He considered it an honour to be nominated alongside such talented individuals. Fraser also gave a special shoutout to his castmate, Hong Chau, stating that only whales could swim to the depths of her talent.
Fraser’s win marks a triumphant return to the limelight after a lengthy hiatus from Hollywood. The actor has been praised for his remarkable performance in The Whale, which tells the story of a man struggling with obesity and addiction. The film has received critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of weight issues and the human condition.
Brendan Fraser Remember his journey during his speech at the Oscars in 2023
Actor Brendan Fraser has been honoured with his first-ever Oscar award, recognizing his impressive 30-year career in the movie industry. During his acceptance speech, Fraser brought a minute to remember his journey and the challenges he faced along the way.
“I started in this business 30 years ago, and things didn’t come easily to me, but there was a facility that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped,” Fraser said. He went on to express his gratitude for the acknowledgement, adding, “I just want to say thank you because it couldn’t be done without my cast.”
Fraser contrasted his profession with a jumping campaign on the lower part of the sea, with the air on the line to the surface being looked after by certain individuals in his day-to-day existence. He said thanks to his family and partners, embracing his significant other and kids as he made that big appearance to acknowledge his honour from moderators Halle Berry and Jessica Chastain.
The win marks a significant moment in Fraser’s career, having spent a long time as a box office champion before retreating from the movie industry for more than five years. This was due to the sexual assault he experienced in 2018. However, his talent and dedication have not gone unnoticed, and the Academy recognized his impressive contributions to the movie industry with this well-deserved award.
Brendan Fraser’s triumphant return to the spotlight has been nothing short of inspiring. The actor, who had been absent from the big screen for years, was welcomed back with open arms for his role in the film “The Whale.”
Brendan Fraser’s portrayal of a detached, overweight man who aims to meet up with his separated child, the movie was received with open arms by critics, who hailed it as a brilliant performance. Even before the movie premiered at the Venice International Film Festival, Fraser was touted as a top contender for awards season. His performance was so moving that he was given a lengthy standing ovation at the festival.
The Critics’ Choice Awards, the Hollywood Critics Association Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and countless other film societies all recognized Fraser’s outstanding performance, awarding him the Best Actor accolade.
The Golden Globes chose not to follow suit, and Fraser was not awarded the Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama Golden Globe. It is believed that his refusal to attend the award ceremony, owing to his well-reported history with the Hollywood Foreign Press, may have contributed to this.
The Golden Globe for Best Actor went to Austin Butler, who played Elvis Presley in a riveting portrayal that left a lasting impression. Fraser and Butler were each other’s biggest competitors throughout the awards season, with Butler ultimately taking the top prize.