Brendan Fraser Celebrated once again in the spotlight at the Venice Film Festival, he was praised for his role in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming film ‘The Whale’.
The 53-year-old actor kept his best calm as he walked the red carpet for the famous festival, but tears welled up as soon as he entered the cinema as theater-goers gave the star a standing ovation for six minutes for his performance, according to Variety.
Fraser, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight after treating physical ailments due to performing many of his on-screen stunts, was also suffering from the mental fallout of an alleged sexual assault incident in 2003.
He’s back on the silver screen again for what many think he could be Oscar contender Like Charlie, a 600-pound gay man feels as if his life is coming to an end.
Fraser was notably impressed by the response to the film that he could barely stand while the audience cheered once the credits ended when the film ended in a video clip taken from inside the festival.
“Brendan Fraser is back – sobbing during the six-minute #Venice 79 applause for the #Whale,” Ramin Sotoudeh wrote on Twitter.
He then added, “The #whale’s applause was so excited, Brendan Fraser tried to leave the stage but the audience’s applause made him stay.”
During an interview with the press prior to the show, Fraser expressed his gratitude for the “warm reception” he’s received since discussing his latest work.
“I look forward to how this movie makes as deep an impression on everyone as it does on myself,” he said via The New York Times.
Fraser recalled having to wear a large amount of prosthetics sometimes weighing up to 300 pounds to play Charlie, a reclusive character based on 2012 off Broadway The play by Samuel de Hunter.
“I needed to learn how to move in a new way,” Fraser said. “I developed muscles I didn’t know I had. I even felt dizzy at the end of the day when all the hardware had been removed, just as you would have felt getting off the boat to the pier here in Venice.”
But still, following in Charlie’s footsteps gave Fraser “an appreciation for those whose bodies are alike because I’ve learned that you need to be an incredibly strong person both physically and mentally to live in this physical being. And I think that’s Charlie.”
The role is big comeback for Fraser’s career as it’s his first leading role in nearly a decade. The “Mummy” star played roles this year in Mart Scorsese’s latest Western film “Killers of the Flower Moon” and with Dawn Olivieri and Marcia Cross in “Behind the Curtain of Night.”
When asked if he’s excited about his career prospects again, Fraser remained modest.
“My crystal ball is broken,” Fraser said. “I don’t know if your business is a success, but meet me after the show, and we’ll peek together.”