Brendan Fraser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brendan Fraser
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Fraser at the 2022 Montclair Film Festival
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Brendan James Fraser
December 3, 1968 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Cornish College of the Arts (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Afton Smith
(m. 1998; div. 2009) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | George Genereux (uncle) |
| Awards | Full list |
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Brendan James Fraser (/ˈfreɪzər/ FRAY-zər; born December 3, 1968) is an American-Canadian actor. He has won many awards, including an Academy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He was also nominated for a British Academy Film Award and a Golden Globe Award.
Fraser became famous as a main actor in comedies like Encino Man (1992) and George of the Jungle (1997). He also starred in dramas such as School Ties (1992) and Crash (2004). He played Rick O'Connell in The Mummy trilogy (1999–2008). He was also Professor Trevor Anderson in Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008).
After some challenges in his career, Fraser made a big comeback with dramatic roles. He played a very overweight English teacher in Darren Aronofsky's drama The Whale (2022). For this role, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He also appeared in No Sudden Move (2021) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). On TV, he acted in The Affair (2016–2017) and Doom Patrol (2019–2023).
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Early Life and Education
Brendan Fraser was born on December 3, 1968, in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents, Carol Mary and Peter Fraser, were Canadian. He is the youngest of four brothers: Kevin, Sean, and Regan. His mother worked as a sales counselor. His father was a journalist and worked for the Canadian government. Brendan's uncle, George Genereux, won a gold medal for Canada in shooting at the 1952 Summer Olympics. Fraser has family roots from Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Czech Republic, and French-Canada. He is a citizen of both Canada and the United States.
Fraser's family moved a lot when he was a child. They lived in places like Eureka, California, Seattle, Washington, Ottawa, Ontario, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. He went to a Montessori school in Detroit and Sacred Heart School in Bellevue, Washington. He later graduated from Upper Canada College, a private boarding school in Toronto, in 1987.
His interest in acting began in the 1970s. While on vacation in London, England, he saw his first professional play, Oliver!. He also sang in a high school musical, Oklahoma!.
Fraser finished college at Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts in 1990. He then started acting at a small college in New York City. He had planned to get a master's degree in acting. However, after visiting Hollywood, he decided to move there to start his film career.
Career Highlights
Starting His Acting Journey (1991–1997)
Brendan Fraser's first movie role was a small part in Dogfight in 1991. His first main role was in the 1992 comedy Encino Man. He played a caveman who wakes up in modern times. This movie was quite popular and became a favorite for many fans. In the same year, he starred in School Ties. In this film, he played a Jewish star quarterback dealing with unfair treatment at a private school. Other actors like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck were also in this movie.
Between 1994 and 1997, Fraser appeared in several movies that were not big hits. These included With Honors (1994) and Airheads (1994). He also had a small part in Now and Then (1995). In 1995, he performed in his first theater play, Four Dogs and a Bone.
His first really big movie success came with the 1997 comedy George of the Jungle. This movie was based on a popular cartoon series.
Becoming a Global Star (1998–2001)
Fraser earned praise for his serious role in Gods and Monsters (1998). This movie was about the life of director James Whale, who made Frankenstein. Fraser played a gardener who forms a bond with the filmmaker.
His biggest commercial success came when he played the adventurer Rick O'Connell in The Mummy (1999). He returned for the sequel, The Mummy Returns (2001). The Mummy made him one of the most popular movie stars of the 1990s. During this time, he also starred in the romantic comedy Blast from the Past (1999). He also appeared in the fantasy comedy Bedazzled (2000).
Variety of Roles (2001–2008)
In late 2001, Fraser acted in the play Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on Broadway. Critics gave him many good reviews for his performance. In 2002, he starred with Michael Caine in the drama The Quiet American. This movie was well-liked by critics. The next year, he was the main human actor in the movie Looney Tunes: Back in Action. He also provided the voice for the Tasmanian Devil in the film. In 2004, he was part of the cast in the Oscar-winning movie Crash. He played the husband of Sandra Bullock's character.
Fraser also made guest appearances on TV shows like Scrubs and The Simpsons. In March 2006, he was honored with a spot on Canada's Walk of Fame. He was the first American-born actor to receive this award. After six years, Fraser returned to The Mummy series for its second sequel. This movie, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, was released in August 2008. That same year, he starred in the 3D movie Journey to the Center of the Earth. He also appeared in the fantasy film Inkheart.
New Directions in Television (2009–2020)
In 2010, Fraser returned to Broadway in the play Elling. After starring in Furry Vengeance in 2010, Fraser changed his acting agency. In 2016, Fraser joined the TV drama series The Affair. He played a prison guard named Gunther. He also played James Fletcher Chace in the TV series Trust, which started in 2018. Fraser voiced and played Clifford "Cliff" Steele / Robotman in the TV series Doom Patrol.
Fans called his return to acting "The Brennaissance." This word combines his name, Brendan, with "renaissance," meaning a rebirth. Fraser has said he likes this nickname.
Recent Success and Awards (2020–Present)
In September 2020, Fraser was cast in Steven Soderbergh's crime film No Sudden Move, which came out in 2021. In January 2021, it was announced that Fraser would star in Darren Aronofsky's film The Whale. Aronofsky had been looking for the right actor for this role for ten years. He chose Fraser after seeing him in a movie trailer.
The Whale premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022. Fraser prepared for his role by talking to many people who struggled with their weight. His performance was highly praised. The film received a six-minute standing ovation at the festival. Fraser later won an Oscar for Best Actor for this role. He was the first Canadian to win this award.
In August 2022, Fraser was announced as part of the cast for Martin Scorsese's film Killers of the Flower Moon. He also joined the comedy film Brothers. In October 2021, Fraser was cast as the villain Firefly in the superhero film Batgirl. However, the release of this film was canceled in August 2022.
Fraser lent his voice to an audio story called The Downloaded, released in 2023. In December 2023, he was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World. In July 2024, it was announced that Fraser would play Dwight D. Eisenhower in the film Pressure.
Personal Life
On July 4, 1993, Brendan Fraser met actress Afton Smith at a barbecue. They married on September 27, 1998. They have three sons: Griffin Arthur Fraser (born 2002), Holden Fletcher Fraser (born 2004), and Leland Francis Fraser (born 2006). Holden and Leland are fashion models. In an interview, Fraser shared that Griffin is on the autism spectrum.
In December 2007, Fraser's publicist announced that he and Afton Smith had decided to divorce. They both received praise for being very involved in their sons' lives. Afton Smith later became a book writer and works in real estate.
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Since September 2022, Fraser has been in a relationship with makeup artist Jeanne Moore. They appeared together at the 2022 Venice Film Festival. Fraser thanked Moore during his Oscar acceptance speech.
As of February 2018, Fraser lives in Bedford, New York.
Fraser speaks French. He is also on the board of directors for FilmAid International, a group that helps people through film. He enjoys photography and has used different instant cameras in his movies and TV shows. He is also a skilled amateur archer.
Health Challenges
In 2018, Fraser shared that the many stunts he performed in his action and comedy roles caused him to have several surgeries. These included knee and vocal-cord surgeries over seven years. These physical demands were very tough on his body.
Philanthropy
Since 2018, Brendan Fraser has been a judge at the Dancing Stars of Greenwich charity event. This event raises money for Abilis, a local charity. Abilis helps over 800 people and their families who have disabilities in Fairfield County, Connecticut. His former wife, Afton Smith, also takes part in the dance competition. In 2022, Smith and Fraser received an award for their support and fundraising for Abilis.
Awards and Nominations
See also
In Spanish: Brendan Fraser para niños
