Brendan Fraser

American-Canadian actor (born 1968)Template:SHORTDESC:American-Canadian actor (born 1968)

**Brendan James Fraser** (/ˈfreɪzər/ *FRAY-zər*; born December 3, 1968) is a Canadian and American actor. Fraser is known for his leading roles in blockbusters, comedies, and dramatic films. He gained prominence for his role as Rick O'Connell in *The Mummy* trilogy (1999–2008). Having graduated from the Cornish College of the Arts in 1990, he landed his debut film role in *Dogfight* (1991).

Fraser began his career in numerous comedic films such as *Encino Man* (1992), *Airheads* (1994), *George of the Jungle* (1997), *Dudley Do-Right* (1999), *Blast from the Past* (1999), *Bedazzled* (2000), *Monkeybone* (2001), and *Looney Tunes: Back in Action* (2003) as well leading roles in the fantasy films *Journey to the Center of the Earth* (2008) and *Inkheart* (2008). During this time he starred in dramas such as *School Ties* (1992), *With Honors* (1994), *Gods and Monsters* (1998), *The Quiet American* (2002), *Crash* (2004), and *Extraordinary Measures* (2010).

In 2018, Fraser said that he had been sexually assaulted by Philip Berk, the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, in 2003. The alleged assault, his subsequent divorce, the death of his mother, and health problems led to a pause in his career. His career was revitalized by his appearances in major films such as *No Sudden Move* (2021) and *The Whale* (2022), the latter of which earned him his first Golden Globe Award nomination.

Fraser's also has had successful career in television, acting in the History miniseries *Texas Rising* (2015), the Showtime drama *The Affair* (2016–2017), the FX series *Trust* (2018), the Epix series *Condor* (2018), and the DC Universe / HBO Max series *Doom Patrol* (2019–present).

## Early life

Fraser, the youngest of four boys, was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Canadian parents Carol Mary (née Genereux; 1937–2016) and Peter Fraser. His mother was a sales counselor, and his father was a former journalist who worked as a Canadian foreign service officer for the Government Office of Tourism. His maternal uncle, George Genereux, was the only Canadian to win a gold medal in the 1952 Summer Olympics, at the Olympic Trap. He has three older brothers: Kevin, Regan, and Sean. He has Irish, Scottish, German, Czech, and French-Canadian ancestry. He holds dual Canadian and American citizenship.

Fraser's family moved often during his childhood, living in Eureka, California; Seattle, Washington; Ottawa, Ontario; the Netherlands; and Switzerland. He attended Upper Canada College, a private boarding school in Toronto. While on vacation in London, England, he attended his first professional theatre show in the West End, which began his interest in acting.

He graduated from Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts in 1990. He began acting at a small acting college in New York City. He planned on studying toward a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Southern Methodist University, but stopped in Hollywood on the way and decided to remain there to work in film.

## Career

In 1991, Fraser made his film debut as a Seaman headed to Vietnam in *Dogfight*. He got his first leading film role in the 1992 comedy film *Encino Man* where he played a frozen pre-historic caveman who is thawed out in the present day. The film was a moderate box office success. That same year he starred with Matt Damon and Chris O'Donnell in *School Ties*.

In 1994, he played Steve Nebraska in *The Scout* and Montgomery "Monty" Kessler in *With Honors* as well as co-starred with Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi in *Airheads*. All three were box office failures. He starred in films such as Philip Ridley's *The Passion of Darkly Noon* (1995) and *The Twilight of the Golds* (1997) which also did not fare well at the box office. He also had a small part in the movie *Now and Then* (1995).

He had his first major box office success with the 1997 comedy film *George of the Jungle* which was based on the animated series of the same title created by Jay Ward.

He received critical acclaim for his dramatic role in 1998's *Gods and Monsters*, which was based on the life of James Whale (Ian McKellen), who directed *Frankenstein*. The film was written and directed by Bill Condon, and follows the loss of creativity, ambiguous sexuality and the bond between a heterosexual gardener (played by Fraser) and a homosexual, tortured and ailing filmmaker (played by McKellen).

 File:Brendan Fraser crop.jpg
His biggest commercial success came when he portrayed Rick O'Connell in the adventure fantasy film *The Mummy* (1999) and its sequel *The Mummy Returns* (2001).

In between these successes, he also starred in the box office bombs *Dudley Do-Right* (1999) (which was based on another Jay Ward animated series) and *Monkeybone* (2001); though he did have moderate success with the 1999 romantic comedy  *Blast from the Past* and the 2000 fantasy comedy *Bedazzled*, a remake of the 1967 British film of the same name. He lent his voice for the unreleased animated film *Big Bug Man*, with Marlon Brando.

In 2002, he starred alongside Michael Caine in the political drama *The Quiet American* which was well received by critics. The following year, he starred in the live-action/animated film *Looney Tunes: Back in Action* as its human lead, D.J. Drake (he also voiced the Tasmanian Devil). In 2004, he appeared as part of an ensemble cast in the Academy Award-winning film *Crash*.

He has also made guest appearances on the television shows *Scrubs*, *King of the Hill*, and *The Simpsons*. In March 2006, he was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame, the first American-born actor to receive the honor. However, as of 2022, he does not have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. After a six-year hiatus in the franchise, Fraser returned for the second sequel to *The Mummy* released in August 2008 and titled *The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor*. Filming started in Montreal on July 27, 2007, and the film also starred Jet Li as Emperor Han. That same year, he starred in the 3D film adaptation of Jules Verne's *Journey to the Center of the Earth* and the fantasy film *Inkheart* (chosen personally for the lead role by the novel's author Cornelia Funke).

Fraser starred as "Brick" in the West End production of Tennessee Williams's *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* in September 2001, directed by Anthony Page. Castmates included Ned Beatty, Frances O'Connor and Gemma Jones. The show closed on January 12, 2002, with Fraser garnering many excellent reviews. In 2010, Fraser starred in a Broadway production of *Elling*, but the play closed after one week, due to lackluster reviews. After appearing in the critically panned *Furry Vengeance* in 2010, Fraser moved from being represented by William Morris Endeavor to the Creative Artists Agency. In 2010, he starred in *Whole Lotta Sole* directed by Terry George and in 2011, he was set to play William Tell in *The Legend of William Tell: 3D*, directed by Eric Brevig, with whom Fraser had also worked in *Journey to the Center of the Earth*. Filming was delayed and late in 2011, Fraser sued the producer Todd Moyer for promised wages. Moyer later countersued for assault, which Fraser dismissed as a desperate attempt to avoid paying his debt. In 2013, he played an Elvis Presley impersonator in the ensemble black comedy *Pawn Shop Chronicles*.

 File:Brendan Fraser (30864334034) (cropped).jpg
In 2016, Fraser replaced Ray Liotta in the Bollywood thriller *Line of Descent*. Fraser later joined the recurring cast of the television drama series *The Affair* during season 3 where he portrayed the misery-minded prison guard Gunther. He portrayed Getty family fixer James Fletcher Chace in the FX anthology series *Trust*, which premiered on March 25, 2018. Fraser portrayed Clifford "Cliff" Steele / Robotman in the *Titans* TV series, with Jake Michaels physically portraying Robotman. He reprised the role in the spin-off series *Doom Patrol*, where he voices the character and appears as Steele in flashbacks; Riley Shanahan – replacing Jake Michaels in *Titans* – physically portrays Robotman. This string of appearances led many publications to label his sudden comeback as the "Brenaissance".

In September 2020, Fraser was cast as gangster Doug Jones in Steven Soderbergh's period crime film *No Sudden Move*, which was released in 2021. In January 2021, Fraser was announced as the lead in Darren Aronofsky's upcoming film *The Whale*. The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022. Fraser's performance was highly praised and the film received a six-minute standing ovation at the festival.

In August of the same year, Fraser was announced as part of the cast of Martin Scorsese's upcoming film *Killers of the Flower Moon*, as well as Max Barbakow's upcoming comedy film *Brothers*. In October 2021, Fraser was cast to portray the villain Firefly in the superhero film *Batgirl*, set in the DC Extended Universe; the release of the film was canceled in August 2022 after a change in Warner Bros. studio priorities.

## Personal life

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, Fraser met actress Afton Smith while attending a barbecue at Winona Ryder's house on July 4, 1993. They married on September 27, 1998, and had three sons: Griffin Arthur Fraser (born 2002), Holden Fletcher Fraser (born 2004), and Leland Francis Fraser (born 2006). In a 2018 interview with *GQ*, Fraser revealed that his oldest son, Griffin, was on the autism spectrum.

After their home in Beverly Hills, California sold in April 2007 for $3 million, Fraser's publicist announced in December 2007 that the couple had decided to divorce. Fraser was ordered to pay a monthly alimony sum of $50,000 for a period of 10 years or until remarriage of Smith, whichever occurred first, in addition to the $25,000 monthly payment for child support. In early 2011, Fraser petitioned the courts for a reduction of his alimony payments, asserting that he was unable to meet the annual obligation of $600,000; he did not contest the child support payments. In late 2011, Smith accused Fraser of fraud by hiding financial assets and not disclosing film contracts for *Extraordinary Measures* and *Furry Vengeance*. In 2014, the court ruled against Fraser's request for a reduction in alimony and against Smith's allegation of fraud. Both parents were credited for being actively engaged in the lives of their sons.

As of February 2018[update], Fraser lives in Bedford, New York.

Fraser speaks French and serves on the board of directors for FilmAid International. He is an accomplished amateur photographer and has used several instant cameras in movies and on TV shows, most notably on his guest roles on *Scrubs*. In his first appearance, he used a Polaroid pack film, and on his second appearance, he used a Holga with a Polaroid back, a Japanese-only model. The book *Collector's Guide to Instant Cameras* has a dedication to Fraser. He is also an accomplished amateur archer.

The physical demands of the stunts and maneuvers Fraser performed in his action and comedy roles eventually required him to undergo several surgeries over a period of seven years, including a partial knee replacement, a laminectomy, and vocal cord surgery.

In 2018, Fraser said that he had been sexually assaulted by Philip Berk, the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the nonprofit organization that votes for the Golden Globe Awards, at a luncheon in 2003. The alleged assault, his subsequent divorce, and the death of his mother launched Fraser into a depression that, combined with his health problems, led to a pause in his career.

Several publications and social media users interpreted that Fraser was "blacklisted" from Hollywood because of his allegation against Berk, allegations which Berk denies. In the 2018 *GQ* piece where Fraser first publicly made the allegation, he said "The phone does stop ringing in your career, and you start asking yourself why. There's many reasons, but was [this incident] one of them? I think it was." In contrast, Fraser also clarified in his 2019 appearance on the radio show *Sway in the Morning,* "I don't think the HFPA really wield that much power." In 2022, Fraser told *GQ* that if he receives a nomination by the HFPA for his latest film *The Whale*, he "will not participate" because of the "history" he has with the organization.

## Philanthropy

Since 2018, Fraser has been a celebrity judge on the Dancing Stars of Greenwich annual charity gala which raises money for the non-profit organisation Abilis, a local charity which supports more than 800 individuals and their families with disabilities in Fairfield County, Connecticut. His former wife, Afton Fraser, also takes part in the dance competition. In 2022, Afton and Brendan Fraser received the Heart of Abilis Award for their support and fund raising work for the charity.

## References

1. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Dougherty, Margot. "Brendan Fraser Comes Up For Air". LA Mag. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
2. ↑ UPI Almanac for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019. United Press International (3 December 2019).
3. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Beale, Lewis (November 1, 1998). "In The Know Brendan Up To Buff In 'Gods And Monsters'". *NY Daily News*. New York. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2008.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Template:Cite magazine
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Brendan Fraser says he has his own #MeToo story. *ABC News* (February 22, 2018).
6. ↑ Texar Rising – About. History.
7. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Brendan Fraser – James Fletcher Chace. FX.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Andreeva, Nellie (August 21, 2018). 'Doom Patrol': Brendan Fraser To Star As Robotman In DC Universe TV Series.
10. ↑ Carol G. Fraser Obituary.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 2006 Inductees – Brendan Fraser. Canada's Walk of Fame (2006).
12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Template:Cite journal
13. ↑ Brendan Fraser Biography (1968–). Film Reference.
14. ↑ Daily Highlights – January 10 – Brendan Fraser Interview. *Late Night with Jimmy Fallon*.
15. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Rota, Kara (January 22, 2010). "Brendan Fraser on playing the real John Crowley in 'Extraordinary Measures'". Irish Central. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
16. ↑ Rota, Kara (February–March 2010). Brendan Fraser on Playing John Crowley in Extraordinary Measures. Irish America.
17. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Beale, Lewis (November 1, 1998). "In the Know: Brendan up to Buff in 'Gods and Monsters'". *NY Daily News*. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
18. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Diamond, Jamie (June 21, 1992). "UP AND COMING: Brendan Fraser; A Man Schooled for Success". *The New York Times*. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
19. ↑ Template:Cite encyclopedia
20. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Halpern, Lisa (February 10, 2005). "Fraser's Edge". Cornish College of the Arts. Archived from the original on December 31, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2007.
21. ↑ "Brendan Fraser's eclectic career". *South Coast Today*.
22. ↑ The many faces of Brendan Fraser – Philstar.com (October 24, 2000).
23. ↑ Hey bu-ddy! 'Encino Man' turns 25 — but here's where the '90s comedy was really filmed (May 23, 2017).
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Bankability Breakdown: Brendan Fraser – Box Office Mojo.
25. ↑ Gods and Monsters Credits. Gods and Monsters Official site.
26. ↑ The Mummy (1999) – Box Office Mojo.
27. ↑ The Quiet American.
28. ↑ Stacey Wilson Hunt (December 5, 2016). How *Crash* Crashed the Oscars.
29. ↑ Albemarle – Archive. Albemarle-london.com.
30. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Brendan Fraser Broadway debut shuts after one week". BBC. November 26, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
31. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Masarella, Linda (March 27, 2011). "Fraser finds 'Sole' in Ireland". *Toronto Sun*. Retrieved March 27, 2011.
32. ↑ Eric Brevig Re-Teaming with Brendan Fraser for 'William Tell 3D'. TheFilmStage.com (September 7, 2011).
33. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>The Deadline Team (July 13, 2012). "Producer Todd Moyer Files Lawsuit Against Brendan Fraser, After Fraser Sued Moyer". *Deadline Hollywood*. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
34. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Izzo, Michael (July 24, 2012). "Brendan Fraser Sued By Producer For Alleged Battery". *Business Insider*. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
35. ↑ Elijah Wood, Brendan Fraser & Many More Tell 'Pawn Shop Chronicles'.
36. ↑ Bhushan, Nyay (June 15, 2016). Brendan Fraser Replaces Ray Liotta in Indian Mafia Thriller 'The Field'. *The Hollywood Reporter*.
37. ↑ Ihnat, Gwen (December 5, 2016). An unrecognizable Brendan Fraser shows up to give *The Affair* a menacing twist.
38. ↑ McNear, Claire (December 28, 2016). Let the Brendan Fraser Renaissance Begin.
39. ↑ Codrai, Lorna (November 30, 2018). STEP ASIDE MCCONAUGHEY, THE BRENAISSANCE IS HERE.
40. ↑ Mathews, Liam (April 1, 2018). Trust: Brendan Fraser's Brenaissance Is Here, and It's Glorious.
41. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
42. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
43. ↑ Barber, Nicholas (4 September 2022). The Whale review: 'Brendan Fraser deserves an Oscar'. BBC News.
44. ↑ Brendan Fraser Breaks Down in Tears as 'The Whale' Gets Huge 6-Minute Standing Ovation in Venice (en-US) (2022-09-04).
45. ↑ Grobar, Matt (2021-08-03). Brendan Fraser Boards Martin Scorsese's 'Killers Of The Flower Moon' & Legendary Comedy 'Brothers' (en-US).
46. ↑ Kroll, Justin (October 25, 2021). 'Batgirl': Brendan Fraser To Play Villain In New Warner Bros. And DC Pic Starring Leslie Grace.
47. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
48. ↑ Hermanns, Grant (2022-09-03). Why Brendan Fraser Is Disappointed By Batgirl Movie Cancellation (en-US).
49. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Brendan Fraser's Looney Adventure". CBS. November 13, 2003. Archived from the original on January 13, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2008.
50. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"Brendan Fraser's Former Mid-Century Modern Home Back on the Market for $4.4M". *Fox News*. August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 20, 2016.
51. ↑ Brendan Fraser and Wife to Divorce. The Insider (December 27, 2007).
52. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 53.2 53.3 53.4 FindLaw's Superior Court of Connecticut case and opinions. (en-US).
54. ↑ BBC – Films – Brendan Fraser. BBC.
55. ↑ filmaid.org Newsletter. FilmAid International (2006).
56. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>"30 celebrity photographers who are actually celebrities". *TechRadar*. Retrieved April 5, 2018.
57. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Lazarus, Susanna (March 7, 2014). "Brendan Fraser on archery, aliens and the return of The Mummy". *Radio Times*. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
58. ↑ <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>Mazziotta, Julie (February 22, 2018). "Brendan Fraser Says He Destroyed His Body Doing Movie Stunts: 'I Was Probably Trying too Hard'". *People*. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
59. ↑ The Reason Why Brendan Fraser Was 'Blacklisted' From Hollywood For Years. *LAD Bible* (July 27, 2022).
60. ↑ 60.0 60.1 Brendan Fraser Won't Attend Golden Globes After Sexual Assault Allegations Against Former HFPA President (en).
61. ↑ Brendan Fraser on 'Doom Patrol' Role & If He Felt Blacklisted After Sexual Assault Claims. *Sway in the Morning* (April 18, 2019).
62. ↑ Dancing Stars of Greenwich Celebrity Judges.
63. ↑ 63.0 63.1 Greenwich teen is top dancer, fundraiser at Abilis dance-off benefit (October 23, 2022).
64. ↑ Dancers Bring Star Power to Benefit for Abilis (September 19, 2018).
65. ↑ 2022 Abilis Annual Meeting (en) (video).
66. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
67. ↑ Shanfield, Ethan (October 25, 2022). 'Tár' Leads Gotham Awards Nominations: Full List. Retrieved on October 25, 2022.
68. ↑ Hammond, Pete (2022-09-27). Brendan Fraser To Receive Santa Barbara Film Festival’s American Riviera Award (en-US).
69. ↑ Globes, Golden (December 12, 2022). Brendan Fraser Golden Globes.

## External links

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* Brendan Fraser – official site
* Brendan Fraser at IMDb
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* Brendan Fraser best movies – blog (archive)

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