How Brendan Fraser overcame a mid-career slump and became everyone's new favorite comeback story

Libby TorresDec 18, 2022, 18:45 IST

Brendan Fraser in "The Mummy."Universal Pictures

Brendan Fraser recently received a Golden Globe nod for his role in the new drama "The Whale."
Prior to "The Whale," Fraser starred in '90s blockbusters like "The Mummy" and "George of the Jungle."

Brendan James Fraser was born on December 3, 1968.

Brendan Fraser in 1991.Mikel Roberts/Sygma via Getty Images

He headed to Hollywood in 1991 and got his big break with "Encino Man" and "School Ties."

Pauly Shore, Brendan Fraser, and Sean Astin in the 1992 film "Encino Man."Encino Man Productions/Getty Images

Fraser met his now ex-wife, actor Afton Smith, in 1993.

Afton Smith and Brendan Fraser in 1995.Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

In 1994, the actor had three major films premiere.

Brendan Fraser in "The Scout."Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

Fraser continued acting over the next few years, appearing in "The Passion of Darkly Noon" in 1995, "Mrs. Winterbourne" in 1996, and "Still Breathing" in 1997.

Brendan Fraser in "Mrs. Winterbourne."TriStar/Getty Images

The late '90s saw Fraser make some of his most well-known films to date.

Brendan Fraser in "The Mummy."Universal Pictures

Fraser kept acting in the new millennium, appearing in "Bedazzled," "Monkeybone," and "The Mummy Returns." He also starred in a West End production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 2001.

Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley in "Bedazzled."Getty Images

Fraser kept acting in the new millennium, appearing in "Bedazzled," "Monkeybone," and "The Mummy Returns." He also starred in a West End production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 2001.

Fraser's first son Griffin was born in 2002.

Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith with sons Holden, left, and Griffin, right, in 2005.Amy Graves/WireImage

Fraser alleged that he was touched inappropriately by a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at a 2003 luncheon.

Brendan Fraser at a Hollywood Foreign Press Association luncheon in July 2003.Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Fraser and Smith welcomed two more sons in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

Leland Fraser, Brendan Fraser, and Holden Fraser in November 2022.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

After the birth of his sons, Fraser seemingly took a step back from filmmaking, only appearing in a handful of movies in the mid-2000s.

Brendan Fraser in a still from the 2006 crime drama "Journey to the End of the Night."Millennium Films/First Look International

Fraser subsequently appeared in several big-budget films, including a third "Mummy" sequel and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," but later told GQ that he was dealing with numerous health problems around this time due to his past stunts.

Brendan Fraser in a scene from the 2008 film "Inkheart."New Line Cinema

Fraser subsequently appeared in several big-budget films, including a third "Mummy" sequel and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," but later told GQ that he was dealing with numerous health problems around this time due to his past stunts.

He continued to appear in films, all while dealing with various physical ailments.

Brendan Fraser in a scene from the 2010 film "Extraordinary Measures."Merie Weismiller Wallace/CBS Films via Getty Images

In the mid-2010s, Fraser made the transition to television roles, generating critical acclaim for his role on "The Affair."

Brendan Fraser on season three of "The Affair."Showtime

After playing Cliff Steele on an episode of "Titans" in 2018, Fraser reprised the role for the DC and HBO Max series "Doom Patrol."

Brendan Fraser in "Doom Patrol."DC/HBO Max

Fraser continued landing roles on both TV shows and films, although few of them were critical hits.

Brendan Fraser and Tom Welling in a scene from the CW's "Professionals."The CW

But in 2021, Fraser appeared in the Steven Soderbergh thriller "No Sudden Move," which earned positive reviews from critics.

Brendan Fraser in "No Sudden Move."HBO Max

Fraser was set to play the villain in DC's "Batgirl" film, but the project was shelved in August 2022.

Brendan Fraser in 2022.Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

Now, Fraser is generating awards season buzz for his role in Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale."

Brendan Fraser as Charlie in "The Whale."A24

Here's what the cast of 'Avatar: The Way of Water' looks like in real life

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

How Brendan Fraser overcame a mid-career slump and became everyone's new favorite comeback story

Brendan James Fraser was born on December 3, 1968.

He headed to Hollywood in 1991 and got his big break with "Encino Man" and "School Ties."

Fraser met his now ex-wife, actor Afton Smith, in 1993.

In 1994, the actor had three major films premiere.

Fraser continued acting over the next few years, appearing in "The Passion of Darkly Noon" in 1995, "Mrs. Winterbourne" in 1996, and "Still Breathing" in 1997.

The late '90s saw Fraser make some of his most well-known films to date.

Fraser kept acting in the new millennium, appearing in "Bedazzled," "Monkeybone," and "The Mummy Returns." He also starred in a West End production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in 2001.

Fraser's first son Griffin was born in 2002.

Fraser alleged that he was touched inappropriately by a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at a 2003 luncheon.

Fraser and Smith welcomed two more sons in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

After the birth of his sons, Fraser seemingly took a step back from filmmaking, only appearing in a handful of movies in the mid-2000s.

Fraser subsequently appeared in several big-budget films, including a third "Mummy" sequel and "Journey to the Center of the Earth," but later told GQ that he was dealing with numerous health problems around this time due to his past stunts.

He continued to appear in films, all while dealing with various physical ailments.

In the mid-2010s, Fraser made the transition to television roles, generating critical acclaim for his role on "The Affair."

After playing Cliff Steele on an episode of "Titans" in 2018, Fraser reprised the role for the DC and HBO Max series "Doom Patrol."

Fraser continued landing roles on both TV shows and films, although few of them were critical hits.

But in 2021, Fraser appeared in the Steven Soderbergh thriller "No Sudden Move," which earned positive reviews from critics.

Fraser was set to play the villain in DC's "Batgirl" film, but the project was shelved in August 2022.

Now, Fraser is generating awards season buzz for his role in Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale."