Culture

Watch This Wholesome TikTok Of Brendan Fraser Learning The Internet Loves Him

"Aw shucks, ma'am."

by Merryana Salem  16 August 2021
brendan-fraser-tiktok

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A TikTok user’s meet and greet with Brendan Fraser has gone viral, showing the actor tearing up after being told that the internet is rooting for him.

And honestly, it’s an understatement — Brendan Fraser is loved across three generations for both his performances both as new to the world beefy himbos (Encino Man, George of the Jungle) and more sultry critically acclaimed roles (School Ties, Gods and Monsters). Even on TikTok, the Brendan Fraser tag has well over nine million entries and is only growing.

In one TikTok that’s now gone viral, a fan is having a chat with Fraser as part of an online meet and greet. User littlelottiecosplay is a cosplayer whose content mostly revolves around cosplaying various characters from books, tv and film. For the past week, they have been cosplaying as Evelyn from The Mummy franchise and even dressed as Evelyn for the meet and greet in which they told a teary Fraser that the internet is rooting for him.

For those who were fed on 90’s and 00’s films growing up, Fraser is beloved for embodying the “himbo” to perfection. From George of the Jungle to Bedazzled to Dudley Do-Right, Fraser took to playing a befuddled beefy hunk with a heart of gold like a duck to water.

Not to mention his turn as treasure hunter Rick O’Connell in The Mummy franchise is one of cinema’s most beloved characters. Co-starring Rachel Weisz, many credit The Mummy films as their *ahem* awakenings growing up. So, you might be wondering why the actor is so shocked to hear he is still loved by fans.

A prominent narrative in the zeitgeist is that Fraser “disappeared” from the spotlight sometime in the late ’00s, after the diminishing returns of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and Journey To The Center Of The Earth. The truth of Frazer’s fade from view is a little more complex.

In a 2018 interview with GQ, Fraser revealed that years of doing his own stunts had taken their toll and that he was in and out of hospital for various surgeries for the better part of a decade. A difficult divorce and the death of his mother during this period didn’t help either. In fact, an interview shot days after Fraser’s mother’s death was memed relentlessly.

Fraser also spoke out during the #MeToo movement about experiencing sexual harassment throughout his career and how it deeply affected his mental health.  “I was blaming myself and I was miserable — because I was saying, ‘This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel.’ That summer wore on — and I can’t remember what I went on to work on next,” he said.

But Mr Fraser didn’t disappear, he made an acclaimed transition to television. Over the last eight or so years, Fraser has impressed and entertained in action series such as Condor and Professionals, crime dramas Trust and The Affair, and holds a special place in the hearts and minds of DC comics fans playing Cliff Steele in Doom Patrol.

Now, Fraser is making a near-prodigal, long overdue return to film. The actor is cast to appear alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.

But wait there’s more. Director Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, Requiem For A Dream) has cast Fraser as the lead in his new film with A24, The Whale. Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh also revealed he cast approximately 15 of the coolest actors alive for his new crime thriller No Sudden Move, and Fraser’s name was listed in the mix.

Yes, a new Brendan Fraser renaissance (Frasernaissance?) is upon us and as shocked as Mr Fraser himself may be to learn, fans couldn’t be more chuffed for him.