What's next for Brendan Fraser after career comeback with Golden Globes nomination for 'The Whale'

The comeback king Brendan Fraser is the talk of the town after a praised performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. Fraser has been tipped to receive many accolades throughout the awards season, but has said he will not attend the Golden Globes.

The famed actor who starred in the blockbuster franchise The Mummy has been notably absent from the past two decades. Fraser himself said in 2018 he ‘retreated’ from the limelight after being allegedly groped by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association’s then-president Philip Berk in 2003.

Fraser told GQ: “I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. No, I will not participate. It’s because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn’t raise a hypocrite. You can call me a lot of things, but not that.”

An investigation conducted by the HFPA in 2018 found that “Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance.” Following the investigation the HFPA did not expel Berk entirely until 2021 when Variety reported he made remarks about the Black Lives Matter movement.

The HFPA has been a controversial body for a number of years, and received criticism as the voting body had no Black members until 2021.

The actor has been nominated Best actor in a motion picture (drama) at the 2023 awards ceremony for his performance in 'The Whale' alongside Sadie Sink. Fraser has been nominated alongside the likes of Austin Butler (Elvis), Hugh Jackman (The Son), Bill Nighy (Living) and Jeremy Pope (The Inspection).

The actor’s performance has received critical and mainstream attention, with millions of fans flocking to support his upcoming project and praise his resilience. In the Venice Film Festival he was seen in tears after receiving a 6 minute standing ovation, and again at the London Film Festival.

Fraser shows no signs of slowing down with two more films in post production and expected to release in 2023.

He will feature in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, as well as Max Barbakow’s Brothers alongside Peter Dinklage and Josh Brolin.