What Happened to Brendan Fraser?

Brendan Fraser's career began in the early 1990s, quickly establishing him as a versatile leading man capable of both comedic charm in films like "Encino Man" (1992) and "George of the Jungle" (1997), and action-adventure heroics in "The Mummy" franchise (starting 1999). He also garnered critical praise for dramatic roles in films such as "Gods and Monsters" (1998) and "Crash" (2004).

However, Fraser's career experienced a significant downturn from the late 2000s to the mid-2010s. This period was marked by a confluence of personal and professional challenges, including a difficult divorce from actress Afton Smith, ongoing health issues requiring multiple surgeries due to physically demanding roles, and a profound depression. A key turning point in his personal narrative was his public revelation in 2018 that he had been sexually assaulted in 2003 by Philip Berk, then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). Fraser stated that this incident, and the subsequent feeling of being blacklisted by the HFPA, contributed significantly to his career's decline and his reclusiveness.

The late 2010s saw the beginning of what fans and critics affectionately termed the "Brenaissance." Fraser started taking on acclaimed television roles in series like "The Affair" (2016-2017), "Trust" (2018), and particularly as Robotman in "Doom Patrol" (2019-2023), which showcased his dramatic depth and garnered a new generation of fans. His return to feature films gained significant momentum with a role in Steven Soderbergh's neo-noir thriller "No Sudden Move" (2021).

The pinnacle of his comeback arrived with his starring role in Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale" (2022), where he portrayed a morbidly obese English teacher. His transformative performance received widespread critical acclaim, earning him numerous accolades, including the Screen Actors Guild Award and, most notably, the Academy Award for Best Actor in March 2023, marking his first Oscar win. Fraser also had a role as lawyer W.S. Hamilton in Martin Scorsese's epic crime drama "Killers of the Flower Moon," released in October 2023, where his brief but memorable performance was praised.

As of March 30, 2026, Brendan Fraser continues to be highly active. He starred in the film "Rental Family," which was released in cinemas in January 2026. He is also set to appear as Dwight D. Eisenhower in the upcoming war film "Pressure," scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States on May 29, 2026. Furthermore, Fraser has confirmed his return as Rick O'Connell alongside Rachel Weisz and John Hannah for a fourth "The Mummy" film, with filming expected to commence in August 2026 for a projected 2028 release. His earlier "Mummy" trilogy is also being added to HBO Max for streaming from March 30 to April 5, 2026. Fraser has also publicly expressed his disappointment regarding the cancellation of the "Batgirl" movie (filmed 2021-2022, canceled August 2022), in which he played the villain Firefly, viewing it as a commentary on the commodification of content in Hollywood.