This handsome, heavy-lidded leading man first made an impression with back-to-back leads in two 1992 features; as the transformed prehistoric titular "Encino Man" and as a brooding preppie who meets with anti-Semitism at boarding school. Both roles set the tenor for much of his future work wherein he was often cast as the outsider.
Born in Indiana but raised in Europe and Canada, Brendan Fraser interned at Seattle's Intiman Theatre after college. He landed a one-line part in "Dogfight" (1991) and headed to L.A. to pursue a career. After winning raves for his co-starring turn as Martin Sheen's son in the telefilm "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" (NBC, 1991), Fraser was hand-picked by Sherry Lansing for the lead in "School Ties". For various reasons, though, film audiences first saw him as Link, the thawed Cro-Magnon-turned-Valley guy, in "Encino Man". He went on to a varied but steady career that included indies (i.e., "Twenty Bucks" 1993), comedies ("Airheads" 1994 and "The Scout" 1995) and several uncredited cameo appearances (notably the Pauley Shore vehicles "Son in Law" 1993 and "In the Army Now" 1994 and "Now and Then" 1995). Fraser proved his dramatic mettle with a strong turn as a backwoodsman who goes mad from unrequited love in "The Passion of Darkly Noon" (1995). 1997, however, proved to be the actor's year. He made a sweet and very human incarnation of the cartoon character in the Disney blockbuster "George of the Jungle". Fraser also shone in an award-winning portrayal of a street performer who falls for a grifter in "Still Breathing" and played a gay man whose sister discovers her unborn child may grow up to be homosexual in the uneven "Twilight of the Golds" (shown on Showtime before receiving a theatrical release).
The busy actor continued his winning streak, first landing the role of a gardener befriended by film director James Whale (Ian McKellen) in "Gods and Monsters" (1998). Much of the film's success depended on the chemistry between the two actors and critics tended to focus more on McKellen's achievement overlooking Fraser's sterling work. Often cast as fish-out-of-water characters, he excelled as a 35-year old who was raised in a bomb shelter only to emerge in the late 90s to discover the world in "Blast From the Past" (1999). Again exhibiting a sweetness and gentleness that have become his hallmark, Fraser proved a perfect foil as a modern-day Adam to Alicia Silverstone's more knowing Eve. Following in quick succession was a dashing, heroic turn as an Indiana Jones-like figure who discovers an Egyptian tomb unleashing "The Mummy" and an homage to his forbearers as the live-action embodiment of the square-jawed Royal Canadian Mountie "Dudley Do-Right" (both 1999). In 2002, Fraser co-starred with Michael Caine in the 1950's drama based on the novel by Graham Greene, "The American Quilt."
07/13/2009 Brendan Fraser is heading to the gym - we hope - Boston Globe Brendan Fraser: Get In Mah BellyJust Jared'Furry Vengeance' lands in townThe Salem NewsThe Timesall 7 news articles » http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/more_names/blog/2009/07/brenda..
We hear: Chelsea Clinton, Brendan Fraser, U2Boston Herald, United StatesThat Brendan Fraser is headed to Topsfield later this month to begin filming “Furry Vengeance.” Since the flick is “top-heavy” with various A-List animals, much of it will be filmed on the Topsfield Fairgrounds. That local funny folks Lenny Clarke,
Movie Mom | 'The Hangover,' 'Land of the Lost,' 'My Life in Ruins'Kansas City Star, MOFor a cleaner adventure, try “Journey to the Center of the Earth” with Anita Briem and Brendan Fraser. Why it's rated R: The humor comes from the outrageous, vulgar and inappropriate behavior of all involved: constant very bad language, very explicit
Gov. Kulongoski Meets Brendan Fraser, Universe ExplodesWillamette Week, ORJudging from the comments left on my original post reporting on Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford shooting a medical drama in Portland (sample comment: “I was one of the lucky ones to be an extra on this film. Happiest day of my life!
Gossip Girl: More fun then a Brendan Fraser lookalikeThe Flat Hat, VABy Liz Pedraja April 28, 2009 I don't think I've laughed that hard during “Gossip Girl” in a long time. I'm going to buy Blair's writer a cookie. From her subway comments — (“Rats go underground, not Waldorf's, it's full of middle class businessmen!
Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford to film in Vancouver, WashingtonExaminer.comBrendan Fraser and Harrison Ford are teaming up for a medical drama to be filmed in Vancouver, Washington. It's the first feature for CBS Films, which Tom Vaughn will direct. Fraser plays Doctor John Crowley, searching for a cure for the rare genetic
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