Brendan Fraser gets emotional to ‘Whale’ response: ‘I’M GRATEFUL FOR IT’

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Over the last week, Brendan Fraser has had a few pinch-me moments following the premiere of his upcoming drama The Whale.

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The half-Canadian actor, who went to high school in Toronto but was born in the United States to Canadian parents, is earning raves for his role as Charlie, an obese recluse who is trying to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter (played by Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink).

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“This is new for me because normally I am the guy at the podium who hands these things out,” Fraser said as he accepted the prize. “I think that the last time I waited to hear my name called out loud to receive an award was in grade 4 and it was from the peewee bowling league.”

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The film’s director Darren Aronofsky and screenwriter Samuel Hunter presented the award to Fraser, who called The Whale the ultimate comeback tale.

“The Whale, it’s a redemption story about a guy called Charlie. And he’s gone through significant life changes and he’s forgotten about who he is and the ones he loves and he’s running out of time to tell them that if he can at all.”

Past recipients of the TIFF Tribute acting prize, including Joaquin Phoenix (Joker), Jessica Chastain (The Eyes of Tammy Faye) and Benedict Cumberbatch (The Power of the Dog), have gone on to become big players during awards season.

During an early morning interview with the Toronto Sun, the one-time star of The Mummy series and George of the Jungle said that he’s adjusting to all the accolades.

“It’s new to me, but I’m grateful for the recognition,” Fraser said as the Oscar buzz continues to mount. “If I smile a little too hard and I sprain my cheek and my face leaks a little bit, I’ll apologize for it right now.”

Fraser then paused thoughtfully, before adding, “What did he say, he said, ‘I know not all that may be coming, but come what will I will go to it laughing.’ That was Herman Melville in 1851. Those are words to live by.”

The Whale opens in theatres later this year. TIFF runs until Sept. 18.

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