Brendan Fraser's First Oscar Nomination for His Role in "The Whale" Makes His Return to Acting Even More Triumphant

Brendan Fraser appreciates his latest nomination.
Earlier this year, the actor received his first Oscar nomination when he was named one of five candidates for Best Actor for his work in The Whale. The drama also received nominations for Best Supporting Actress for costar Hong Chau, as well as Best Makeup and Hairstyling for the crew who turned Fraser into his 600-pound character Charlie.

The actor had never been nominated for an Oscar.

Source: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/East News

Since gaining a name for himself with the 2022 film The Whale, the actor has already received more nominations for Oscars than he had in his previous 30 years of playing - 61 to be precise. But now he's gotten an Oscar nomination, which is the most coveted award of all.
"I wouldn't have this nomination without [director] Darren Aronofsky, [writer] Samuel D. Hunter, A24 and the extraordinary cast and crew who gave me the gift of Charlie," the actor continued. "A gift I certainly didn't see coming, but it's one that has profoundly changed my life. THANK YOU!"
The American-Canadian actor established a fresh career 32 years after making his film debut as Bobby McLoughlin in Presumed Guilty. Fraser was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in The Whale as Charlie, an obese and reclusive English teacher.

#2 The Whale received multiple Oscar nominations.

Source: © The Whale / A24 and co-producer

Although the actor or his crew have not issued any words on the nomination, we know the 54-year-old must be overjoyed. Fraser was asked what it would mean to him to be nominated for an Oscar at the 2023 Critics Choice Awards, just days before the candidates were announced. "It would mean a lot to me, as it would to any other actor who dared to hope and dream," he said.
The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on a play of the same name, follows a father with extreme obesity as he tries to rekindle his connection with his teenage daughter, played by Stranger Things actress Sadie Sink. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film was nominated for three Academy Awards. In addition to Fraser's nomination, the film received nods for Makeup and Hairstyling and Actress in a Supporting Role for Hong Chau, who plays Liz, a nurse and Charlie's best friend.