Devastating Departure to Triumphant Return - The Comeback of Brendan Fraser

The world of fame and celebrity culture is a cruel mistress. To be given “the spotlight” is a complex honor, placing the entirety of an individual’s life under a microscope for the sake of entertainment. Being held at this high regard can bring fame, fortune, and adoring fans, but this does not promise permanence in the desired world. Willingly and unwillingly, celebrities at the top of the fame mountain find themselves lost in the trail for a variety of reasons. A noteworthy, devastating departure from Hollywood is that of Brendan Fraser who recently proved it’s possible to be resurrected back into the world of elites. Earning the ultimate accolade of Best Actor at the latest Academy Awards, Brendan Fraser showed the public that vanishing into the obscure world of Hollywood has-beens does not signify the end.

Brendan Fraser's career has been turbulent to say the least with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He has been a familiar face on our screens for decades with starring roles in, The Mummy, George of the Jungle, Bedazzled, and many other notable films. Fraser was always a breath of fresh air in his films, blessed with good looks and a charming charisma that seemed to come naturally to him on the screen. It was to everyone's shock that by the late 2000s Fraser fled Hollywood and entered a period of obscurity leading to a point where his return seemed unpredictable and unlikely. The stall in his career was due to various factors such as a serious sexual assault allegation against former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, various health struggles as he suffered years of injuries from his performed stunts, and a divorce that disastrously left him fighting accusations of fraud. It can be inferred that the culmination of these issues would make Fraser want to take a step back from the spotlight. But with an accusation against a person of power in a world of many “hush, hush” elites, it is far from unreasonable to believe that Hollywood actually took a step back from him. In Fraser's words, he has spoken on his obscurity stating, “The phone just stopped ringing in my career. Careers go up and down on a valley-peak trajectory.” There are undoubtedly highs and lows in any career path but it is hard to fully encapsulate that climb back to the top, especially the climb and remarkable comeback of Fraser.

After years in the dark, Fraser regained career momentum, gradually taking work on a series of cable TV shows but it was not until the actor was thrown a creative lifeline with his role in, The Whale that cemented one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Hollywood. The portrayal of his character, Charlie earned numerous, well deserved standing ovations with an overwhelming amount of pure authenticity and devotion radiating from the role. This authenticity is something Fraser owes to his time of obscurity and heartache which translated beautifully into the role. It's a testament to second chances that can come with those who are patient, strong, and even use their hardships to rise above. The film signified a defining moment for Fraser who was left at a loss for words as he graciously accepted the award of Best Actor in front of all of his peers. A six minute standing ovation followed, moving the actor to tears as this represents much more than just winning an award. The win was symbolic, illustrating that those who are truly deserving of accolades can receive them even in the face of significant roadblocks.

The comeback of Brendan Fraser was the kind you only see in the movies. Fraser was dealt a humbling experience where things did not come easy for him which made for an intense lesson of humility and gratitude. Accepting the vulnerability that came with the return to the spotlight was the first step in the revival of a career that used to be so bright. It is a liberating lesson in getting over yourself to regain the desire to get back out there. Brendan Fraser notes his return and recent acknowledgments as affirming. However, the real comeback is so much more than the history made in the world of Hollywood has-beens. The comeback of Brendan Fraser represents the possibility of navigating through career turbulence as he successfully reminded the public of everything he once was and everything he was always supposed to be.