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Brendan Fraser is a well-known actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films, including blockbusters such as The Mummy and George of the Jungle. Despite his success, he experienced a series of unfortunate events that resulted in him having to distance himself from the movie industry.
Firstly, Brendan Fraser sustained several physical injuries while performing stunts during his work on films, which resulted in him suffering from chronic pain that required multiple surgeries. He was also reportedly blacklisted from Hollywood after he alleged that a Hollywood executive behaved inappropriately with him in 2003.
Furthermore, Fraser's divorce settlement was another significant issue that affected his life. He was married to Afton Smith, and during their divorce, he had to pay a considerable amount of his net worth to his ex-wife in spousal support despite no longer getting roles in Hollywood.
The rejection from Hollywood was a severe blow to his personal and professional life, but the tides turned for the actor when he went viral over a heartfelt interaction with a fan on Tiktok.
Since then, Brendan Fraser's career is flourishing with his Oscar-worthy work in The Whale. He has experienced many ups and downs in Hollywood, and here's a list of the famous friends that supported him long before his resurgence in popularity...
Inside Brendan Fraser's Surprising Friendship With Martha Stewart
Martha Stewart and Brendan Fraser's friendship was publicly revealed In 2010 when the pair made their first appearance together on the Hallmark Channel's Halloween special called "Tricking and Treating with Martha Stewart." The segment showcased various spooky activities, including baking holiday treats, going trick-or-treating, and creating a mummy costume using cloth strips wrapped around Fraser's head.
During the show, Stewart playfully referenced Fraser's role in the 1999 movie The Mummy, jokingly calling him a "mummy killer" and tying him to a plank before pretending to roast him over flames. The audience enjoyed their chemistry together, and the segment was well-received by both Stewart and Fraser's fans.
The pair hit it off immediately and discovered they had a lot in common, including a love of horses. Their friendship has continued to grow over the years, and they even started a tradition of going horseback riding together. Martha Stewart even posted an adorable photo of Fraser on horseback at her ranch in 2015. Stewart later invited Fraser to be a guest on her show, "Martha Stewart Living," where they cooked and chatted about their friendship.
While Brendan Fraser's career has had its ups and downs, through it all, Martha Stewart remained a loyal friend to him.
Zach Braff Voiced His Support For Brendan Fraser Ahead Of Award Season
Their endearing friendship started when Brendan Fraser guest-starred on the popular TV show Scrubs in 2002, playing the role of Ben Sullivan, the brother of Jordan Sullivan's character. The third episode in which Fraser appeared, titled "My Screwup," is considered one of the most emotional and memorable episodes of the show, which further solidified their bond.
Even after their appearance together on Scrubs, Zach Braff and Brendan Fraser remained close friends and have been vocal about their friendship in interviews. Braff has been a source of support for Fraser during challenging times in his career, including his hiatus from Hollywood due to personal and health issues.
In a 2022 interview with EW, Braff expressed his admiration for Fraser, saying: "I got goosebumps when asked about him. I have such a warm place in my heart for that man. I loved spending time with him. I'm just so happy for him. You honestly couldn't meet a nicer person. He's just the sweetest. I haven't even seen all the movies [this year], but I hope he wins."
Zach Braff also praised Fraser for his work on Scrubs and his recent successes, saying: "I think his episode arc of Scrubs is probably the most talked about in nine seasons of the show. People loved his character, people root for him. They just love the man, and they love the actor."
He also provided an insight into their friendship and their mutual love for polaroids, saying: "Brendan has remained in my life all these years because I have nine zillion polaroid pictures that I took just because of him." Overall, their friendship is a testament to the power of genuine connections in the entertainment industry.
Brendan Fraser And Sarah Michelle Gellar Have Been Close Friends For Over 15 Years
Since meeting on the set of the 2007 film The Air I Breathe, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Brendan Fraser have developed a close friendship that has lasted for 15 years. They have been seen together at several events and occasions, including premieres and award shows.
In interviews, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Brendan Fraser have expressed their mutual admiration for each other's talent and work ethic, and have also shown appreciation for their support and friendship. In February 2023, Gellar presented Fraser with the American Riviera Award for outstanding achievement in film at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Gellar described Fraser as a "gift" and praised his positive impact on those around him during her tribute to the actor. She shared: "I've been fortunate to have Brendan as a friend for 15 years. When I watched [his] performances, he made me want to become a better actor. But then I got to meet him and know him, and he makes me a better person."
The actress also shared that she "ugly cried" when she watched Fraser in The Whale. Gellar said that just like his character Charlie, Brendan Fraser has the "same desperate longing to do the right thing for the people that he loves."
Fraser joined Gellar on stage and took the mic to accept his award and thank her, adding it was fitting to be introduced by her on Valentine's Day given her "whale-sized heart."
Gellar later took to Instagram to share photos of the two of them on the red carpet and wrote in the caption, "I had the greatest privilege to [award] my dear friend Brendan Fraser. If it was up to me, he would win all the awards."