Brendan Fraser was a major film star in the 1990s, with roles in Encino Man, George of the Jungle, and The Mummy Franchise. However, at the peak of his career in the mid-2000s, he experienced a decline that left him out in the cold in Hollywood.
Fraser continued to appear in films and on TV, but mostly in minor voice roles. However, he gradually built a career and eventually made a triumphant comeback, receiving several nominations and awards for his role in the 2022 film The Whale.
So, what led to the decline of Brendan Fraser’s career and how did he make his comeback?
Why did Brendan Fraser’s career decline?
The decline of Fraser’s career was not a single isolated incident, but a combination of factors.
One of the major factors that affected his career was the physical toll of acting roles. At the height of his career, Brendan Fraser was doing most of his stunt work.
In a 2018 interview with GQ, Fraser revealed that his stunt work left him with several severe injuries that required him to undergo multiple surgeries over seven years.
He also went through a divorce from his wife, Afton Smith, which left him paying $50,000 a month in spousal support. Following the divorce, he took some time off acting to take care of his children, including a son on the autism spectrum.
Brendan Fraser industry exile after reporting a sexual assault
Another incident that likely impacted Fraser’s career was a report he made about a sexual assault. In 2003, Fraser alleged that he was groped by Phillip Berk, who was then the president of the Hollywood Press Association (HFPA).
Through his representatives, Fraser demanded an apology from HFPA, which Berk offered without admitting wrongdoing. In his GQ interview, he revealed that the experience left him feeling depressed, miserable, and blaming himself.
Fraser also claimed that his career suffered afterwards, and even wondered whether HFPA had blacklisted him. He also alleged that his invitations to the Globes declined after the incident.
Remarkable and triumphant comeback
Brendan Fraser’s career may have declined, but he did not quit. From the mid-2010s, he gradually returned to Hollywood with voice and acting roles in several films and TV shows.
Fraser also had major roles in TV shows like The Affair, Condor, and Doom Patrol.
His comeback reached a climax in 2022, when he starred as Charlie in the 2022 film The Whale. The role won him an Academy Award for Best Actor.
He also received two Screen Actors Guild Awards, a Critics Choice Award, and BAFTA and Golden Globes nominations.
Fraser’s career is still rising, having recently starred in the 2026 war film, Pressure, which has received fairly positive reviews. He is also expected to appear in another film in 2027 as part of The Mummy franchise.