On March 12, 2023, the 95th Academy Awards took place, and one name stood out among the winners - Brendan Fraser. The 54-year-old actor won the Best Actor Oscar for his powerful performance as a morbidly obese English teacher in "The Whale."
Directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on Samuel D Hunter's play, "The Whale" tells the story of a suicidal, gay man who weighs over 600 pounds. Even though there was initial criticism about Fraser's suitability for the character, he ultimately silenced the skeptics by claiming more than 20 lead actor awards from different critics' associations, such as the Critics' Choice Association, as well as from the highly regarded Screen Actors Guild Award, which is considered a reliable indicator for the Oscars.
The path to the Oscars for Fraser began with thunderous applause during the premiere of "The Whale" at the Venice International Film Festival in September, where he received a six-minute standing ovation. He beat out a talented field of nominees, including Austin Butler for "Elvis," Colin Farrell for "The Banshees of Inisherin," Paul Mescal for "Aftersun," and Bill Nighy for "Living."
When Fraser took to the stage to accept his award, he gave an emotional acceptance speech. He began his speech by expressing his gratitude to the Academy and the film's studio, A24, for making such a bold film. He then went on to thank director Darren Aronofsky for giving him a "creative lifeline" and casting him in the lead role.
Fraser also paid tribute to the film's writer, Samuel D. Hunter, referring to him as their "lighthouse." He then reflected on his 30-year journey in the entertainment industry, acknowledging the struggles he faced in the beginning.
"It wasn't easy for me when I started in this business 30 years ago," he said. "But there was a facility that I didn't appreciate at the time until it stopped. And I just want to say thank you for this acknowledgment."
Fraser expressed his appreciation for his cast, acknowledging that the film would not have been possible without them. He then used a diving metaphor to describe his journey to the Oscars, likening it to a deep-sea diving expedition with his loved ones providing the air on the line.
He concluded his speech by thanking his sons, manager, publicist, and best friend, Jeanne Moore, who he called his "first mate."
Brendan Fraser accepts the #Oscar for Best Actor for #TheWhale. https://t.co/ndiKiHfmID pic.twitter.com/kNuDy85dpH
— Variety (@Variety) March 13, 2023
As we look back at past Oscar winners for Best Actor, we are reminded of the many talented actors, From the very first winner, Emil Jannings in 1929, to recent recipients like Leonardo DiCaprio, Matthew McConaughey, and Sean Penn, the Best Actor category has honored some of the most talented actors of our time.
Fraser's win is a testament to his incredible talent as an actor and his perseverance in the face of adversity. He has experienced both remarkable achievement and periods of relative obscurity in his career, but his performance in "The Whale" has proven that he is still a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood.
Fraser's win is a well-deserved addition to this list, and we can only hope it marks the beginning of a new chapter in his career, where he continues to shine on the big screen.
