The reason why Brendan Fraser was 'blacklisted' from Hollywood for years
Actor Brendan Fraser turns 54 today, with many linking him to several Hollywood classics from the late 90s and the early 00s.
Some of his most notable appearances are in The Mummy and George of the Jungle - both of which topped the box office.
However, despite the odd film appearance, the actor seemingly disappeared out of the spotlight.
For fans concerned, Fraser admitted that he wasn't out of work by choice, but instead wasn't being casted by filmmakers.
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In 2018, Fraser opened up about historic abuse, which he felt 'blacklisted' him from Hollywood.
Back then, the actor claimed he was the victim of sexual abuse in Hollywood, alleging that former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Philip Berk sexually assualted him - something Berk has always denied.
In an interview with GQ in 2018, Fraser claimed he was groped by Berk at a HFPA luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel in 2003.
He said that left him feeling 'miserable', 'depressed' and 'reclusive'.
He added: "His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around. I felt ill.
"I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry... In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.
"Am I still frightened? Absolutely. Do I feel like I need to say something? Absolutely. Have I wanted to many, many times? Absolutely. Have I stopped myself? Absolutely.
In a statement to GQ following Fraser's claims, Berk said: "His career declined through no fault of ours."
Hollywood Foreign Press Association, who present the Golden Globes, added: "The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article."
Despite that, Fraser claimed he was shut out by the HFPA and the Golden Globes Awards, leading him to question whether he'd been blacklisted.
However, the actor is coming back strong, with his newest film set to release next year.
The Whale sees him play a 600lb man trying to rekindle a relationship with his teenage daughter years after he abandoned her.
Fraser's comeback film is set for release in the UK on 3 February 2023.
Topics: TV and Film
Callum Jones