Brendan Fraser Claimed $0 Expected Future Earnings during Divorce – Reactions to His Comeback Had Actor in Tears

“The Mummy” star Brendan Fraser has been through some highs and lows in his personal life and career. He claimed $0 expected future earnings during his divorce. After being MIA for a long time, the actor appeared in a film that may earn him an Oscar. Reactions from fans moved him to tears.

Brendan Fraser was famous from the end of the 1999s to the early 2000s. The actor starred in box office films like “The Mummy,” “The Mummy Returns,” and “George of the Jungle.”

However, while movie fans were still relishing his delightful performances, Fraser took the world by surprise by going on an extended hiatus—it was not planned.

Honoree Brendan Fraser at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at The Fairmont Royal York Hotel on September 11, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario. | Source: Getty Images

It all began during the summer of 2003 when he went to an event hosted by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Beverly Hills. This organization is responsible for the prestigious film awards, the Golden Globes.

The “The Mummy” star was greeted by the association’s former president, Philip Berk. Fraser recalled Berk shaking his hand and beginning to touch him inappropriately despite being in a room full of people.

Brendan Fraser at AOL Build to discuss his role in ‘The Affair’ at AOL HQ on December 14, 2016 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

In a 2018 interview with GQ, the actor admitted that he felt fear and explained that the HFPA’s approach was not what he had expected. The organization ruled that both men must not be in the same room again.

On the other hand, Berk denied the allegations. He confessed that he touched the actor’s bottom slightly in a pinch, but it was a humorous gesture. To add salt to the injury, the HFPA refused to comment on the matter.

Brendan Fraser attending the premiere of “The Mummy” on May 4, 1999, in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

The entire situation pushed Fraser into depression, and he blamed himself for the supposed abuse, thinking he must have blown it out of proportion. “I was blaming myself, and I was miserable—because I was saying, ‘This is nothing,'” he said.

Sadly, Fraser believed that the occurrence made him fall out with the HFPA. He said he was blacklisted and was hardly invited to the Globes.

Brendan Fraser at the 60th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 19, 2003. | Source: Getty Images

This was heartbreaking for the actor, who sadly began to retreat and eventually lost his passion for performing. In his words:

“[Work] withered on the vine for me. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.”

Contrary to Fraser’s claims, Berk concluded that the actor’s career decline was his own doing and not the association. He refused to take any blame for it.

Brendan Fraser at the “Whole Lotta Sole” screening during the 20th Hamptons International Film Festival on October 6, 2012, in East Hampton, New York. | Source: Getty Images

Years after the incident, Fraser’s truth remains the same. Although he beats himself up for not being courageous about it, he confessed that he is happy about how bold some colleagues have been while putting a familiar story forward.

In the same interview, the on-screen star talked about how his health declined in 2003. He was working too hard and performing stunts in his movie features.

Fraser never considered taking a break, even though he knew these stunts were taking a toll on his body. Instead, he moved from one project to another, and eventually, his injuries became severe enough that they needed surgeries—he had knee, spinal, and vocal cords surgeries.

Brendan Fraser during the opening night exhibition of photographs by the actor in Los Angeles, California, on October 9, 2003. | Source: Getty Images

Despite his health challenges, Fraser wanted to earn even more challenging roles. He had hoped to play Superman, but the director who built the cast did not reach out to him for the part.

This shattered him, and the “The Mummy” star began to doubt himself. Although he bagged other characters, he was never proud of them.

Brendan Fraser at the John Varvatos 6th Annual Stuart House Benefit on March 9, 2008, in West Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Instead, he became convinced that he was not worthy of being an actor at all. Unfortunately, his career was not the only part of his life that went downhill. Simultaneously, his love life also fell apart.

Fraser’s Personal Life Falls Apart

Fraser became a beloved actor who earned quite a sum following his appearance in “The Mummy.” However, when life’s struggles hit him, the actor could not boast of either a job or money. Sadly, he went through a brutal divorce battle with his wife of nearly a decade, Afton Smith.

While on stage, he received the most thunderous applause and cheers from a visibly excited audience. Consequently, Fraser’s eyes welled with tears as the fans showed support.

Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith at the 5th Annual “Stars of Tomorrow” Gala Benefit in Beverly Hills, California, on November 18, 1999. | Source: Getty Images

The actor was already paying Smith $900,000 for alimony and child support, but he insisted that he did not earn much money, not roles, and needed to reduce the payment. However, Smith was convinced that her ex-husband was still a money bag and that he hid $9 million in new film contracts.

During their court battle, the famous one-time actor said he expected $0 from future acting. This was because he was unaware of any future deals.

Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith at the Los Angeles “Bedazzled” premiere on October 18, 2000. | Source: Getty Images

His excuse was that his health condition and medical expenses crippled his chances of making outstanding earnings in future roles.

Eventually, their divorce was finalized in 2009, and despite the tense relationship during the court battle, the couple maintained a warm friendship as they co-parented their offspring.

Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith at the Opening Night Exhibition of photographs by Brendan Fraser to benefit the 24th Street Theater at 24th Street Theatre in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

While processing his divorce and declining career, Fraser witnessed another tragedy. This time, his mother died after suffering from cancer. Fraser termed his past a phase he was never prepared for. He said:

“I changed houses; I went through a divorce. Some kids were born. I mean, they were born, but they’re growing up. I was going through things that mold and shape you in ways that you’re not ready for until you go through them.”

Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith at the “The Whale” premiere during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 11, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario. | Source: Getty Images

Despite being through quite a tumultuous journey, Fraser found the courage to rise above his past. However, it took him many years involving surgeries, his close companion, a horse, and a harnessed opportunity.

Brendan Fraser Is Back and Better

At the beginning of the month, Fraser, who recently appeared in “The Whale,” a 2022 film, visited Italy for the Venice Film Festival.

Brendan Fraser at the “No Sudden Move” premiere during the Tribeca Festival on June 18, 2021, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

While on stage, he received the most thunderous applause and cheers from a visibly excited audience. Consequently, Fraser’s eyes welled with tears as the fans showed support.

Again, during his visit to Canada to honor the Toronto International Film Festival, where he also won an award, fans chimed in their consent by clapping. They recognized the “The Mummy” star and gave him a standing ovation.

Brendan Fraser at the premiere of “The Whale” during the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival at Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 11, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario. | Source: Getty Images

According to Variety, his appearance in “The Whale” will possibly put him “at the forefront of this year’s best actor Oscars race.” Thankfully, Fraser is ready to take center stage despite being away for a long time. In his words:

“Something good came out of something that was bad. Sometimes it takes a while for that to happen.”

Fraser‘s experience is somewhat inspiring. He was once a notable actor but sank to the bottom following his life’s tragedies. But many years later, despite his past pain, he is ready to sink himself back into the craft.