The public discourse has picked up and put down a fascination with Brendan Fraser many times over the years and for varying reasons. His life in the public eye began as a comedy and action megastar, then suddenly he seemed to disappear completely. Now, he's back in the headlines for his stunning lead role in Darren Aronofsky's latest psychological drama 'The Whale,' for which he earned the Oscar for Best Actor.
It was his first lead in 12 years, his first-ever Oscar-nominated performance, and in the end, he took home the most prestigious award in Hollywood. The win capped off a successful run on the awards circuit, as Fraser also won a SAG Award and Critics Choice Award.
Click through to discover the full story of how Brendan Fraser rocketed into Hollywood, crashed lower than we ever imagined, and adamantly climbed his way back up to the top.