After three decades in Hollywood, Brendan Fraser has finally received his first major win for his indisputable talent. And fans are rallying around the actor after his voice began shaking during his acceptance speech.
The Mummy star was evidently emotional while accepting his TIFF Tribute Award statuette - a significant pre-Oscars award - on Sunday (September 11) night at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The 53-year-old actor was honored for his lead performance in Darren Aronofsky's upcoming drama The Whale. He said: "This is new for me, as things go. Because normally I’m the guy at the podium who hands these things out, and I got really good at it."
“Apart from being a part of some impressive and talented ensemble casts, I think that the last time that I waited to hear my name called aloud to receive an award was in grade four. And it was from the peewee bowling league," Fraser added.
Watch Fraser's speech below:Many fans on social media were excited that one of the most endearing actors in Hollywood just nabbed his first major win. They demanded that Fraser be "protected at all costs" after he accepted his award.
One user wrote: "We need to protect this man at all costs! I'll always love him!!"
Another commented: "So deserving. The sheer humbleness and tears of joy in his eyes just wins soooooo many hearts."
A third said: "I love his humility and grace. I can't wait to see the movie, to me he's a win [already]."
A fourth on Twitter also chimed in and wrote: "Brendan Fraser deserves all the protection and love in the world and I will personally fight all of the people who hurt him."
While The Mummy trilogy made Fraser a recognizable movie star, his last solo award as a film actor was at the Seattle International Film Festival in 1997.
The George of the Jungle actor spent the last quarter-century on the outskirts of Hollywood and instead took on more diminutive roles in independent films.
Eventually, Fraser landed the role as a 600-pound English teacher in The Whale - which he describes as a "redemption story" of the protagonist going through "significant life changes and has forgotten about who he is and the ones he loves".
The forthcoming film seems to have prevailed in critics’ hearts and earned a vigorous standing ovation in Toronto that also brought Fraser to tears. His major award win may also potentially earn him an Academy Award nomination, according to publications.
Growing visibly emotional during his speech, Fraser concluded: "I just want you to know how deeply I appreciate this affirmation. Thank you, thank you for this Tribute Award - it means a heck of a lot more to me than a participation bowling trophy."
He then ended with a quote from Herman Melville’s Moby Dick, saying: "I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing."
