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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Charlotte Everett

Brendan Fraser scoops best actor win for The Whale performance after return to Hollywood

Brendan Fraser has scooped a best actor at the 6th annual HCA Awards for his performance in The Whale.

The actor took a break from Hollywood before making a big comeback in the psychological drama.

The 6th Annual Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) Film Awards took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Friday, 24 February.

HCA Members voted on 19 different categories that celebrate the best of film from 2022.

Brendan Fraser was among the winners, being given Best Actor for playing the part of a reclusive and morbidly obese English teacher in Darren Aronofsky's film.

The 54-year-old's performance has been widely considered as his "comeback film" after just working on three films since 2014.

Brendan won the Best Actor award (Stewart Cook/REX/Shutterstock for HCA)
He posed with his award (Chelsea Lauren/REX/Shutterstock for HCA)

Friday's awards saw Fraser beat strong competition including Austin Butler (Elvis), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick).

After being given the gong, the star posed for photographs with trophy in hand, looking smart in a black suit.

Brendan has now scooped two Best Actor trophies this awards season.

For his performance as Charlie who sees his weight reach 600 pounds, Brendan had already won Best Actor at the 28th Critics' Choice Awards back in January.

Brendan played the role of Charlie (DAILY MIRROR)

The Mummy actor has earned nominations for Best Actor at the 80th Golden Globe Awards and Best Actor In A Leading Role at the 76th British Academy Film Awards, both of which ended up going to Austin Butler for his role in Elvis.

However, he still has pending nominations for Outstanding Performance By A Male Actor In A Leading Role at the 29th Screen Actors Guild Awards, that will be held on February 26.

He has also managed to score a Best Actor nom at the 95th Academy Awards, which will be held March 12 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

As he took on the role of Charlie, Fraser spend four hours each day being fitted with prosthetics that weighed up to 300 pounds.

Brendan has been nominated for multiple awards (Rob Latour/REX/Shutterstock for HCA)

He also got in touch with the Obesity Action Coalition and worked with a dance instructor for months to determine how his character would move with the excess weight.

The Whale made its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival last September when Brendan found himself driven to happy tears when he received a six-minute standing ovation.

So far, The Whale has grossed $28.4 million against just a $3 million budget, with that set to rise after gaining recognition during awards season.

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