Brendan Fraser was a major Hollywood star in the late 1990s and early 2000s known for roles in movies like The Mummy franchise and George of the Jungle. However, he stepped away from the spotlight in the 2010s due to several difficult personal and professional challenges. One major factor was a disturbing incident of sexual assault by Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which Fraser revealed publicly. This incident caused him deep emotional pain and depression, contributing to his retreat from Hollywood and suspicion that he had been blacklisted by the HFPA. Additionally, Fraser suffered serious health problems caused by the physical toll of stunt work, resulting in multiple surgeries including a partial knee replacement and back operations. He also faced a difficult divorce. These combined hurdles led to a career decline. Despite these hardships, Fraser made a celebrated comeback with his acclaimed role in the 2022 film The Whale, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2023. He has since taken on new leading roles, including starring in the upcoming film Rental Family, set to release in November 2025. This film marks his first leading role since his Oscar win and highlights his return to prominence in Hollywood.
In summary, Brendan Fraser's hiatus was due to trauma from sexual assault, health struggles, and personal difficulties, but he has successfully rebuilt his career with critically acclaimed performances and new film projects.
