Brendan Fraser Gets Choked Up Accepting First Oscar

The actor recently experienced a big comeback after years out of the spotlight.

Brendan Fraser is now an Academy Award winner.

Fraser, who made his triumphant return to acting full-time in 2018, won Best Actor for his starring role in Darren Aronofsky's The Whale.

The actor got choked up while accepting his first Oscar and gave a moving speech.

"So this is what the multiverse looks like. Oh my goodness!," exclaimed the actor when he stepped on stage.

His speech was full of sea and whale puns, including thanking director Aronofsky for throwing him a "creative lifeline aboard the ship The Whale." He also called screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter the movie's "lighthouse."

He then addressed his fellow Best Actor nominees, saying, "Gentlemen, your whale-sized hearts bear so that we can see into your souls like no one else could do, and it is an honor to be named alongside you in this category."

Fraser took time to honor his co-star, who was nominated under the Best Supporting Actress category. "I want to tell you that only whales can swim at the depth of the talent of Hong Chau," he said about the actress.

The actor also delved into the challenging journey to his Oscar win, addressing the difficulties in his career.

"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 until it stopped," Fraser continued. "I just want to say thank you for this acknowledgement, because it couldn't be done without my cast. It's been like I've been on a diving expedition on the bottom of the ocean, and the air on the line is on a launch to be watched over by some people in my life, like my sons Holden and Leland, and Griffin. I love you, Griffie."

In a viral GQ profile from 2018, Fraser explained why he stepped away from starring roles in Hollywood.

He disclosed that in addition to undergoing multiple surgeries for injuries related to stunt work, he was allegedly sexually assaulted by Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization behind the Golden Globes.

Fraser's candid profile was immensely well-received by fans, who encouraged the actor to make his proper return to acting. When the actor began taking on major roles again, including in Martin Scorsese's upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon, fans dubbed the rebirth of his career as the "Brenaissance."

In a follow-up profile with GQ from November 2022, Fraser talked about how important it is to connect with fans and give support in return.

"I can spot someone across the room who I know has something to say, something to share, who has had something that happened…someone hurt them," he said. "I do want them to know, if they admire or esteem me for whatever special reason, that if that kind of thing had happened to me, it could happen to anyone too. And we’re all just…we’re all just people."