Brendan Fraser Was Nominated for His First Oscar for His Role in “The Whale,” and It Makes His Return to Acting Even More Triumphant

Brendan Fraser’s comeback to the world of cinema is the gift that keeps on giving. Since making a splash with the 2022 movie, The Whale, the actor has already been nominated for more awards than he had in his previous 30 years of acting — 61 to be exact. But now he has received what is perhaps the most coveted one of all, an Oscar nomination.

The actor had never been nominated for an Oscar.

The American-Canadian actor achieved a new career first, 32 years after making his debut in cinema as Bobby McLoughlin in Presumed Guilty. As was predicted, Fraser was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Actor in a Leading Role for portraying Charlie, an obese and isolated English teacher, in The Whale.

Although the actor or his team haven’t released any statements about the nomination, we already know the 54-year-old must be filled with joy. At the 2023 Critics Choice Awards, days before the announcement of the Oscar nominees, Fraser was asked what it would mean to him to be nominated. “It would mean a lot to me, like any other actor who dared to hope and to dream,” he replied.

The Whale received multiple Oscar nominations.

Directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on a play of the same name, The Whale tells the story of a man with severe obesity as he tries to breathe new life into his relationship with his teenage daughter, portrayed by Stranger Things star Sadie Sink. Although the movie received mixed reviews from critics, it has been nominated for 3 Oscars. On top of Fraser’s, it scored nominations in Makeup and Hairstyling and Actress in a Supporting Role for Hong Chau, who plays Liz, a nurse and best friend of the main character, Charlie.

Have you watched The Whale yet? Do you usually watch the Academy Awards live?