Brendan Fraser opened up to OUT about his performance of a lifetime in The Whale.
Brendan Fraser, known to many millennial fans for his roles in The Mummy and George of the Jungle, won an Academy Award for Best Lead Actor. This win marks a remarkable comeback for the beloved actor, who has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Fraser won the award for his portrayal of Charlie, a 600-pound English professor who is trying to reconnect with his estranged family after falling in love with another man, in the controversial film The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky. The film, which is based on Samuel D. Hunter’s stage play of the same name, has sparked conversations about its problematic and fatphobic source material.
Fraser’s portrayal of Charlie has been praised as the performance of a lifetime by both audiences and critics. In an interview with Raffy Ermac, digital director of OUT, at the Oscars press room, Fraser discussed the complexities of playing a queer character like Charlie.
“Charlie is so much more than just a gay man,” Fraser said. “He’s a father, he’s an educator, he’s a truth seeker, and that he fell hopelessly, inconveniently in love with whomever is immaterial.”
Fraser also spoke about the importance of perseverance, saying, “With perseverance, if you put one foot in front of the other like Charlie did, go to the light — believe me. if I can do it, you can too — good things will happen.”
He won! ???? Out’s @byraffy caught up with Brendan Fraser after winning his 1st #Oscar for #TheWhale.
“Charlie’s so much more than just a gay man…he’s someone who found love, lost it, and then found it again. I think that’s something that we can all take a page from,” he said. pic.twitter.com/XAkR5Zz1c3
— Out Magazine (@outmagazine) March 13, 2023
Overall, Fraser’s win is a testament to his talent and the hard work he has put into his career. Fans and colleagues alike are celebrating his well-deserved victory.
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