Brendan Fraser has had an amazing acting career. Universally well-liked, the star has featured in many fantastic films through the decades. Endowed with an impressive physique and a charming screen presence, Fraser represents the best of American Cinema. Unforgettable performances by the actor have left an indelible mark on the fabric of the ’90s and the early 2000s American popular culture.
However, things took a turn for the worse, and the star found himself buried under a barrage of problems. But not for long, numerous fans came to his rescue and he became the internet’s sweetheart. This is his story… in a nutshell.
Brendan Fraser’s Stellar Acting Career
Fraser’s Hollywood career began in the early 1990s. He debuted in the film Dogfight (1991) and quickly bagged a leading role the very next year, in the film Encino Man (1992). However, it was in 1997 that he finally got his big break with the successful movie George of the Jungle. This was dwarfed by the huge successes of The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001) apart from this he also had an illustrious TV career. These films and shows made him a famous face everywhere.
Years of Work Took Its Toll
However, years of work took their toll and the actor saw a downfall. Years later, he disclosed that he was struggling with pain from all the stunts he had performed in his acting career. Brendan Fraser narrated his ordeal to GQ:
“By the time I did the third Mummy picture in China, I was put together with tape and ice – just, like, really nerdy and fetishy about ice packs,” the actor explained. “Screw-cap ice packs and downhill-mountain-biking pads, ‘cause they’re small and light and they can fit under your clothes. I was building an exoskeleton for myself daily.”
Yikes! As if this weren’t enough, he was allegedly sexually harassed by Philip Berk (the ex-president of HFPA). This reportedly left a lot of physiological trauma with the actor who told GQ: “I felt ill. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry,”
The Unexpected Resurgence of the Star
Never the one to give up, Fraser showed up again. He was going to star in WB’s film Batgirl, and fans were excited about the same. It was expected to bring the actor back in the game, and he even made news for all the hard work he put into preparing for the role, from gaining weight to putting on a really heavy fat suit.
Alas, the film was unexpectedly canceled by the studios. Fans of the actor, who had waited years to see the actor back on the screens, were enraged at the studio and rallied around the actor on the internet and showed their love and support for the cherished figure.
Related: 15 Actors Whose Dying Careers Were Saved By One Role
