Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Brendan Fraser
Discover the career path of Brendan Fraser, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Brendan Fraser is an American-Canadian actor who rose to prominence in the 1990s. His breakthrough roles in *Encino Man* and *School Ties* led to starring roles in comedies like *George of the Jungle* and dramas such as *With Honors*. He achieved major stardom as Rick O'Connell in *The Mummy* trilogy. Fraser also took on dramatic roles in critically acclaimed films including *Gods and Monsters*, *The Quiet American*, and *Crash*, showcasing his versatility. Other notable roles include *Bedazzled* and *Journey to the Center of the Earth*.
1991: Film Debut in Dogfight
In 1991, Brendan Fraser made his film debut with a small role in "Dogfight".
1992: First leading role in Encino Man
In 1992, Brendan Fraser got his first leading film role in the comedy film "Encino Man". That same year he starred in School Ties.
1992: Breakthrough roles in Encino Man and School Ties
In 1992, Brendan Fraser had his breakthrough roles in the comedy "Encino Man" and the drama "School Ties".
1993: Made cameo appearance in Son in Law
In 1993, Brendan Fraser made a cameo appearances in the Pauly Shore film "Son in Law".
1994: Starred in With Honors and Airheads
In 1994, Brendan Fraser starred in box office failures such as "With Honors" and "Airheads".
1994: Starring role in With Honors
In 1994, Fraser gained further prominence for his starring role in the comedy "With Honors".
1995: First theatre production in Four Dogs and a Bone
In 1995, Brendan Fraser performed at his first theatre production at the Geffen Playhouse in "Four Dogs and a Bone".
1995: Starred in The Passion of Darkly Noon
In 1995, Brendan Fraser starred in box office failures such as "The Passion of Darkly Noon".
1996: Starred in Mrs. Winterbourne
In 1996, Brendan Fraser starred in box office failures such as "Mrs. Winterbourne".
1997: Starring role in George of the Jungle
In 1997, Brendan Fraser gained further prominence for his starring role in the comedy "George of the Jungle".
1997: Major box office success with George of the Jungle
In 1997, Brendan Fraser had his first major box office success with "George of the Jungle".
1997: Starred in The Twilight of the Golds
In 1997, Brendan Fraser starred in box office failures such as "The Twilight of the Golds".
1998: Critical acclaim for dramatic role in Gods and Monsters
In 1998, Brendan Fraser received critical acclaim for his dramatic role in "Gods and Monsters".
1998: Dramatic role in Gods and Monsters
In 1998, Brendan Fraser took on a dramatic role in "Gods and Monsters".
1999: Commercial success with The Mummy
In 1999, Brendan Fraser achieved his biggest commercial success with "The Mummy".
1999: Starring role in The Mummy
In 1999, Brendan Fraser emerged as a star playing Rick O'Connell in "The Mummy".
2000: Starred in Bedazzled
In 2000, Brendan Fraser starred in "Bedazzled".
2001: Starred in The Mummy Returns and Monkeybone
In 2001, Brendan Fraser starred in "The Mummy Returns" and "Monkeybone".
2001: Starred in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In late 2001, Brendan Fraser starred as "Brick" in Tennessee Williams's Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
2002: Dramatic role in The Quiet American
In 2002, Brendan Fraser took on a dramatic role in "The Quiet American".
2004: Appeared in Crash
In 2004, Brendan Fraser appeared in the Academy Award-winning film "Crash".
July 27, 2007: Filming started for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
On July 27, 2007, filming started in Montreal for "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor".
August 2008: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor released
In August 2008, Brendan Fraser returned for the second sequel to "The Mummy" titled "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor".
2008: Starring role in Journey to the Center of the Earth
In 2008, Brendan Fraser starred in the fantasy "Journey to the Center of the Earth".
2010: Return to Broadway in Elling
In 2010, Brendan Fraser returned to Broadway in the production of "Elling", which closed after one week.
2011: Set to play William Tell
In 2011, Brendan Fraser was set to play William Tell in "The Legend of William Tell: 3D", but filming was delayed and he later sued the producer.
2013: Played Elvis Presley impersonator in Pawn Shop Chronicles
In 2013, Brendan Fraser played an Elvis Presley impersonator in the ensemble black comedy "Pawn Shop Chronicles".
2016: Role in The Affair
From 2016 to 2017, Brendan Fraser branched into television with a role in the Showtime drama, "The Affair".
2016: Replaced Ray Liotta in Line of Descent
In 2016, Brendan Fraser replaced Ray Liotta in the Bollywood thriller "Line of Descent" and joined the cast of "The Affair".
2017: Role in The Affair
From 2016 to 2017, Brendan Fraser branched into television with a role in the Showtime drama, "The Affair".
March 25, 2018: Trust premiered
On March 25, 2018, the FX anthology series "Trust" premiered, featuring Brendan Fraser.
2018: Role in Trust
In 2018, Brendan Fraser appeared in the FX series, "Trust".
2018: Fraser publicly accuses Philip Berk of sexual assault
In 2018, Brendan Fraser publicly accused Philip Berk, then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, of sexually assaulting him at a luncheon in 2003. This revelation, along with other personal challenges, contributed to a major depression and a break in Fraser's career.
2018: Fraser suggests blacklisting after accusation against Berk
In a 2018 GQ article, Brendan Fraser suggested that his career had stalled after he accused Philip Berk of sexual assault, implying he may have been blacklisted from Hollywood. He questioned whether the allegation contributed to the decline in his career opportunities.
2018: Fraser becomes a celebrity judge on Dancing Stars of Greenwich
Since 2018, Brendan Fraser has been a celebrity judge on the Dancing Stars of Greenwich annual charity gala, which raises money for Abilis, a non-profit organization supporting individuals with disabilities in Connecticut.
2019: Role in Doom Patrol
From 2019 to 2023, Brendan Fraser appeared in the Max series, "Doom Patrol".
2019: Fraser expresses doubt about HFPA power
In 2019, Brendan Fraser appeared on the radio show Sway in the Morning, where he expressed a different view on the influence of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), stating, "I don't think the HFPA really wield that much power."
September 2020: Cast in No Sudden Move
In September 2020, Brendan Fraser was cast in Steven Soderbergh's period crime film "No Sudden Move".
January 2021: Cast as lead in The Whale
In January 2021, Brendan Fraser was announced as the lead in Darren Aronofsky's film "The Whale".
October 2021: Cast as Firefly in Batgirl
In October 2021, Brendan Fraser was cast as the villain Firefly in the superhero film "Batgirl".
2021: Role in No Sudden Move
In 2021, Brendan Fraser's film career was revitalized by a role in Steven Soderbergh's "No Sudden Move".
August 2022: Batgirl release canceled
In August 2022, the release of the film "Batgirl", in which Brendan Fraser was cast, was canceled.
September 2022: The Whale premiered at Venice International Film Festival
In September 2022, the film "The Whale" premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
2022: Smith and Fraser receive the Heart of Abilis Award
In 2022, Brendan Fraser and his former wife, Afton Smith, received the Heart of Abilis Award for their support and fundraising work for the Abilis charity, which supports individuals with disabilities.
2022: Role in The Whale
In 2022, Brendan Fraser starred as an obese gay man in Darren Aronofsky's "The Whale", earning him critical acclaim.
2022: Fraser vows to boycott Golden Globes nomination
In 2022, Brendan Fraser told GQ that if the HFPA nominated him for a Golden Globe that year for his film, The Whale, he would "not participate" due to his "history" with the organization.
2023: Role in Doom Patrol
From 2019 to 2023, Brendan Fraser appeared in the Max series, "Doom Patrol".
July 2024: Starred as Dwight D. Eisenhower in Pressure
In July 2024, it was announced that Brendan Fraser would star as Dwight D. Eisenhower in Pressure.
