Brendan Fraser has one of the most fascinating careers in film. When most people think of the actor, they tend to think of his starring role in The Mummy trilogy or perhaps George of the Jungle. However, following his nineties rise to stardom, the actor has seemingly faded from mainstream films. That's not to say people have stopped loving the actor and his roles. Rather, many people were surprised to see him take a hiatus from acting and were overjoyed to see him re-emerge in prominence on television.
But the story of Brendan Fraser's rise to popularity and abrupt disappearance led many people to wonder what happened. Why did this actor, who had just come off some of the most widely-loved blockbusters in the late-90s and early 2000s, leave the spotlight? Fraser's story is one of both the Hollywood structure's cruelty, but also the movie-going public's eagerness to welcome back someone they loved back into their homes.
THE EARLY YEARS
Fraser's first major film appearance was in Encino Man, where the actor appeared as Link, a caveman who ends up frozen, only to thaw out in the modern era. While the movie gained a cult following, Fraser didn't launch into stardom at this time. Rather, he'd settle into memorable dramatic roles for the next several years, including School Ties to With Honors. He immediately set himself apart as a leading man in the making, capable of both carrying funny comedies and heavy dramas.
The turning point for Fraser came in the 1997 blockbuster family comedy George of the Jungle, an adaptation of an older cartoon a boy about a man who grows up in the jungle. This Tarzan-esque film managed to showcase both Fraser's powerful physical presence, as well as his ability to bring just about any crazy character to life. But Fraser's career wasn't cemented in mainstream popularity until his appearance in 1999's The Mummy.
From there, Fraser enjoyed a combination of mainstream blockbuster roles and dramatic pieces. Most people remember Fraser's continuing presence in The Mummy franchise. He's so well-loved for his role that many people, when the reboot of the franchise came out, argued Tom Cruise was a poor substitute for Fraser. Indeed, films like Blast from the Past, Bedazzled, Looney Tunes: Back in Action and Monkeybone highlighted Fraser's charismatic presence on-screen. However, for every comedic and energetic role Fraser took during this time, he also took on just as many heavy dramatic roles, such as in Gods and Monsters. Roles like these would end up reflecting what Fraser would play in the years to come.
THE DISAPPEARANCE
Fraser was a mainstay of cinema between 1997 and 2003. While he didn't disappear entirely, Fraser appeared far less frequently in films following this period of time. He made appearances in some family-friendly adventures, like Journey to the Center of the Earth, Inkheart and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. However, for awhile he sort of disappeared from mainstream entertainment. He'd appear in niche family films like Furry Vengeance, have a brief cameo in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, but for the most part, Fraser was a nonentity.
While it's impossible to know why Fraser completely disappeared from the public view, he credits an alleged altercation in 2003 with Philip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. The actor claims that Berk groped him during a luncheon sponsored by the organization. Fraser said the incident left him feeling violated, and sent him spiraling into a depression. While Berk and the HFPA deny the entire event took place, Fraser suspects that, on top of him withdrawing from public life following the incident, it's possible the organization blacklisted him from the film industry. While Fraser didn't entirely disappear from public view, it's undeniable that the timeline of events, from Fraser's limited roles in films to the sexual assault committed against him, line up.
THE RETURN
However, Fraser's story does not end there. Rather, it ends with him finding a new niche for himself. While Fraser has only appeared in 11 films since 2010 (with the eleventh being this year's upcoming Behind the Curtain of Night), Fraser has found a new niche for himself on television.
Fraser had limited cameos on television during the height of his career, providing voice roles for King of the Hill and The Simpsons. However, in 2015, Fraser appeared in History Channel's Texas Rising, which quickly catapulted Fraser back into mainstream conversation. Audiences had been starved of Fraser for so long that his reappearance on television brought eyes to the show just by virtue of him being in it. From there, Fraser took on more television roles, including shows like The Affair, Trust and Condor. These roles were more dramatic affairs, for the most part, highlighting Fraser's dramatic talents.
However, arguably his most noted recent role is that in Doom Patrol as Robotman. The series, thanks almost entirely to positive word of mouth, became so popular that the show was shifted over from DC Universe to HBO Max upon the streaming platform's launch. Of note was Fraser's role, which gained a great deal of mainstream attention.
Fraser's comeback to stardom represents how beloved figures in stardom never really disappear. Even years after his height as a blockbuster star, Fraser has found a niche for himself as a cult actor in beloved dramatic roles. While Fraser has yet to appear in, say, a fourth Mummy film where he fights off immortal monsters from the dawn of time, he has managed to cultivate an audience over his career that just loves seeing him, either because they grew up with his movies or because he continues to be an entertaining force of dramatic gravitas. Or, more likely, the real secret to Fraser's continued relevance is a little bit of everything, from his old Hollywood charm to his continued ability to make people like him.