Brendan Fraser gets emotional at Critics Choice Awards 2023

Actor Brendan Fraser was tearful while accepting the best actor award for “The Whale” at the Critics Choice Award 2023. He shared a powerful message of being grateful for his return to the movie industry.

The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards aired live on the CW on Sunday night. Chelsea Handler hosted the awards night at the Fairmont Century Plaza. 

Congratulations to #BrendanFraser, winner of the #CriticsChoice Award for Best Actor.#TheWhale #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/WNZGL4I3gI

— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 16, 2023

One of the top awardees of the night,  Fraser thanked director Darren Aronofosky for choosing him as the lead actor for the role. “Thank you for this honor, Critic’s Choice Association. It was Herman Melville who once wrote that ‘there are only five critics in America. The rest are asleep.’ … I’m so glad you woke up for me.”

Fraser continued with a joke that made the audience laugh. “Where were you for Furry Vengeance?” He added, “This movie, The Whale, is about love. It’s about redemption. It’s about … finding the light in a dark place.”

There is SO much love for #BrendanFraser in the house tonight.

Here’s the moment Ke Huy Quan spotted him in the Winners Lounge and sprinted over to congratulate him. pic.twitter.com/QWhdX3BiU1

— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 16, 2023

The Mummy actor also didn’t forget to acknowledge his fellow cast and crew. “And I’m so lucky to have worked with an ensemble that is incredible and includes Hong Chau, who should have her own movie based on every character she has ever played. Also, Sadie Sink, I’ve been telling everyone she’s incredible. … And Ty Simpkins, you won a game ball every day, and [writer] Sam Hunter, you’re my lighthouse. 

Brendan Fraser is grateful to the directors

He continued, “And [director] Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness and I probably should have left a trail of breadcrumbs, but you found me. And like all the best directors, you merely just showed me where to go to get to where I needed to be.”

Brendan Fraser’s emotional acceptance speech at the #CriticsChoiceAwards

See the full winners list: https://t.co/7bQikYH6Le pic.twitter.com/j0cj0tw3YQ

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 16, 2023

Fraser played the major role of Charlie in “The Whale.” He was an English teacher dealing with obesity while trying to reclaim his relationship with his teen daughter (Saydie Sink). His role as a 600-pound teacher is critically acclaimed, considering it is his comeback role.

In addition, he was holding his tears while delivering his emotional speech. He said, “If you, like a guy like Charlie, who I played in this movie, in any way struggle with obesity or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you too can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.”

Fraser was also almost speechless discussing the movie. For him, it meant “more than I know how to say with words.” He thought that making the movie was like  “an act of faith. We all approached this piece as if it would be the first and last time that we would ever have the privilege to be able to do this work ever again each day. And I think that this movie can help do a lot of good.”

Furthermore, “The Mummy” actor beat Austin Butler for “Elvis,” who won the best drama actor award at last week’s Golden Globe Awards. In addition, Fraser advised those with emotional suffering to hold on. 

Congratulations to our #CriticsChoice Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree, #JeffBridges.#thedude #CriticsChoiceAwards pic.twitter.com/nyCfqL6THX

— Critics Choice Awards (@CriticsChoice) January 16, 2023

Meanwhile, other actors also bagged major awards. Janelle Monáe received the SeeHer Award, while Jeff Bridges accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. The complete list of winners for the Critics Choice Awards 2023 is here.