BACK IN THE SPOT LIGHT -Brendan Fraser

TRAUMA FORCED THE STAR TO STEP AWAY, BUT NOW HE'S MAKING A STUNNING COMEBACK

- Penelope Clifton

Fraser celebrated his Best Actor Critics' Choice win alongside Best Actress winner Cate Blanchett.

At the debut of The Whale at the Venice Film Festival in September, Brendan Fraser received a six-minute standing ovation for his role as Charlie, a 270kg man struggling with the shame of leaving his family for the woman he was having an affair with. In a clip that went viral, Fraser was visibly overcome with emotion over the applause. So much so, that he tried to leave the cinema, but was ushered back to his seat where the applause continued. Now that awards season is here. Fraser continues to be showered with accolades for the role. He won the Best Actor gong at the recent Critics' Choice Awards and has been nominated for a Best Actor Oscar, too. "I am absolutely overjoyed and completely grateful," Fraser, 54, said after learning of his Academy Award nod.