Brendan Fraser's triumph in winning the Best Actor award for his role in The Whale is one of the big highlights of the 2023 Oscars. The actor delivered an emotional speech, during which he gave a special shout-out to his autistic son, Griffin.
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For the event, the star was accompanied by his girlfriend and both his son Holden, 18, and Leland, 16, but he wanted to make sure his 20-year-old son was recognized.
He said, "Griffin, love you, buddy," after receiving his award to a thunderous ovation.
Brendan Fraser has previously talked about his son Griffin, who has autism and is obese, and said he "understands" what it's like to be close to someone who struggles with obesity.
After watching a screening of the movie in New York City with his youngest boys, the actor, who portrays an obese parent in the movie, The Whale, talked about the role while reflecting on life with his own son Griffin.
The Oscar winner once opened up to Interview Magazine about his son, Griffin, saying, "I have three kids of my own, my oldest son Griffin has special needs – he's autistic." He continued, "He just turned 20, he's a big kid, he's six foot five, he's got big hands and feet, a big body. I understand intimately what it is to be close to a person who lives with obesity."
Brendan's ex-wife, Afton Smith, whom he divorced in 2007 after nine years of marriage, is the mother of his three sons.
The father of three continued by saying that Griffin is the "happiest person" in his life and stressing that because of his autism, he has no concept of what "cynicism" is. Brendan also added that because of his disorder, the 20-year-old doesn't understand irony.
"He doesn't know what cynicism is. You can't insult him. He can't insult you. He's the happiest person and is, in my life and many others', also the manifestation of love."
Brendan continued by saying that being around his children, their mother, and their family has given him such affection that if he ever wanted to hold something of value up to try and translate that to what was vital to Charlie, his character in The Whale, he didn't have to look far.
Brendan underwent bodily metamorphosis to play an obese father in a wheelchair who is attempting to rekindle his relationship with his daughter, who is played by Sadie Sink, in the psychological drama.
He spent four hours each day getting the bulky 300-pound garment fitted in order to play English teacher Charlie, who weighs 600 pounds and has prosthetics.
Brendan said playing Charlie was the "hardest thing" he's ever done, but because of his own love for his kids, he was able to relate to what was essential to Charlie.
The Whale centers on Charlie, played by Brendan, as he makes an effort to get back in touch with his daughter Ellie, 17, whom he abandoned, along with her mother, years earlier for a man.
Charlie eats excessively, which contributed to his current weight of 600 pounds, because of his remorse over his involvement with a man, who is now deceased.
Samuel D. Hunter, who was hired as the film's screenwriter, wrote the identical off-Broadway play that served as the inspiration for the movie.
When Darren Aronofsky first saw the play in 2012, he urged the playwright to start working on a screenplay. Aronofsky is known for directing movies like The Wrestler (2008), Mother! (2017), and Black Swan (2010), which garnered him an Academy Award nomination.
Brendan's first film in Hollywood in almost 10 years, The Whale, also marks his first leading part since the 2013 thriller-serial-to-DVD, Breakout.
He quickly rose to fame after being chosen for the roles in The Mummy and George of the Jungle, two popular movies with young audiences.
At the Venice and Toronto film festivals, Fraser received standing ovations for his performance. The initial acclaim persisted throughout the fall and winter. A SAG Award was given to him for his performance in addition to the finest reviews of his career.
He snagged the best actor award at the Oscars for his role in the Whale, which marks his first Oscar win. This is one impressive milestone achievement for the actor.
