Tonight marked the culmination of Brendan Fraser's renaissance as he won the Best Actor Oscar at the 2023 Academy Awards.
Adding to the momentous occasion, the audience rose to their feet and applauded as he exited the stage, having received a standing ovation.
Demonstrating that he is a treasure who must be safeguarded at any cost, Brendan Fraser made a lighthearted quip as he held his award, inquiring, "Is it going to be like this all the time?"
Fans were ecstatic for the actor, who had taken a hiatus from acting before resurfacing on the big screen in Darren Aronofsky's psychological drama. The film follows the story of a recluse who weighs 600 pounds and attempts to reconcile with his daughter.
One tweep wrote, "Aw man he looks so happy." Another said his win is 'so deserved'.
"Brendan Fraser will always be famous," commented a third, while a fourth added, "Glad this king was finally given a crown."
A fifth person added that he is the 'goat of cinema'.
During his press conference, Fraser acknowledged the immense online support he had received since resuming his acting career.
"I heard my name and I thought 'that can't be right' but it was, so I guess I should get up there and say something quick…
"Thank you to all of my internet friends who've been so generous. I hope that I live up to this."
Brendan Fraser is not only a talented actor who has starred in a variety of popular films from the 90s and 00s, such as The Mummy and George of the Jungle, but he has also been candid about the difficulties he faced in Hollywood.
In a 2018 interview, he disclosed that he felt he had been 'blacklisted' by the industry after alleging that he had been sexually assaulted.
During a GQ profile, the 54-year-old actor recounted an incident where he claimed that Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), had groped him at a luncheon hosted by Golden Globes organizers in 2003.
He said: "I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry."
At a recent Q&A session at Megacon, a fan commended Fraser for his courage in speaking out, which moved him to tears.
Yesterday's win serves as a reminder of the widespread support he has.
During his acceptance speech at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on March 13th, an elated Fraser began with a playful remark: "So this is what the multiverse looks like."
As he proceeded with his heartfelt speech, he expressed his appreciation for everyone who contributed to the making of The Whale.
He said: "My goodness, I thank the Academy for this honor and for our studio A24 for making such a bold film."
"I'm grateful to [director] Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship The Whale."
"It was written by Samuel D. Hunter, who is our lighthouse."
"Gentlemen, you laid your whale-sized hearts bare so that we could see into your souls like no one else could do, and it is my honour to be named alongside you in this category."
