Brendan Fraser had a triumphant night time on the 2023 Critics’ Choice Awards, the place he snagged one of the best actor trophy for his “The Whale” efficiency. Following his Hollywood comeback, the 54-year-old actor was up for the consideration in opposition to stiff competitors, which included Austin Butler in “Elvis,” Tom Cruise in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Paul Mescal in “Aftersun,” Colin Farrell in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and Bill Nighy in “Living.”
Fraser accepted his award Sunday night time and delivered an emotional speech, saying, “I’m shook that you just wakened for me,” referring to those that watched “The Whale.” “This film, ‘The Whale,’ is about love, it is about redemption, and it is about discovering the sunshine in a darkish place,” he added whereas on the verge of tears. The actor thanked his fellow costars, together with Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, and Ty Simpkins, in addition to director Darren Aronofsky, whom he graciously honored for choosing him for his award-winning position.
He concluded his emotional speech with: “If you, like a man like Charlie, who I performed on this film, in any manner wrestle with weight problems, otherwise you simply really feel such as you’re in a darkish sea, I would like you to know that should you, too, can have the energy to simply get to your ft and go to the sunshine, good issues will occur.”
Fraser’s newest honor comes after he snagged a 2023 SAG Award nomination and skipped out on the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, a call he introduced in his November 2022 GQ interview, the place he spoke out in opposition to the award present and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.
“I’ve extra historical past with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I’ve respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association,” Fraser advised the outlet. “No, I can’t take part. It’s due to the historical past that I’ve with them. And my mom did not increase a hypocrite. You can name me a variety of issues, however not that.” Despite his refusal to help the Golden Globes, Fraser nonetheless earned a finest actor nomination.
With his comeback period now in full swing, Fraser simply could rating an Oscar nomination for “The Whale” to prime all of it off.