Brendan Fraser the latest in long list of Hollywood stars who have resurrected their careers

Brendan Fraser is once again the talk of the film world after years in the wilderness, joining stars such as Winona Ryder and Robert Downey Jr in proving themselves despite the critics.

He was once king of the jungle, but Brendan Fraser has swung back into the big time with a career comeback that has reduced the actor to tears.

Fraser, 53, stars in new movie The Whale – which sees the actor play an obese reclusive teacher.

The movie, which co-stars Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink, debuted at the Venice Film Festival this week and the audience was so moved by the film, Fraser received a six-minute standing ovation.

In a clip which went viral on social media, director Darren Aronofsky urges a reluctant Fraser to stand up and accept the applause.

When it shows no sign of stopping, the actor is visibly reduced to tears.

Brendan Fraser has made an astonishing comeback in the movie The Whale. Picture: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Fraser, whose career peaked in the late 1990s with George of the Jungle and The Mummy franchise, said in 2018 he had been black-listed by Hollywood.

He alleged, among other problems, that in 2003 he had been sexually assaulted by Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which caused him to fall into depression and retreat from public life.

He also said the HFPA black-listed him. “The silence was deafening,” he told GQ.

Berk denied any wrongdoing and told the magazine, “his career declined through no fault of ours.”

Director Aronofsky has form in reviving careers of actors – he was also responsible for the career comeback of Mickey Rourke, in 2008’s The Wrestler, so it’s unsurprising commentators are tipping Fraser for an Oscar in one of Hollywood’s greatest comebacks.

His former Mummy co-star Dwayne Johnson tweeted, “Man this makes me so happy to see this beautiful ovation for Brendan. He supported me coming into his Mummy Returns franchise for my first ever role, which kicked off my Hollywood career. Rooting for all your success brother and congrats to my bud Darren Aronofsky.”

We take a look at others who have made the ultimate U-turns.

Winona Ryder - Stranger Things

Another ’90s star who returned to form is Winona Ryder, 50. She was nominated for two Oscars for Little Women and The Age of Innocence, but the hits began to dry up for the Edward Scissorhands actor, until 2016, when her career went back to the future in successful sci-fi series Stranger Things.

Winona Ryder is big again thanks to Stranger Things. Picture: Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for Turner

Mickey Rourke received an Oscar nomination for The Wrestler. Picture: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images

Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Before Brendan Fraser, director Darren Aronofsky worked his movie magic on another old star, Mickey Rourke, 70 this week, who had gone from sizzle in movies like 1986’s 9 ½ Weeks, to fizzle.

But his powerful turn as Randy “The Ram” Robinson in 2008’s The Wrestler won him an Oscar nomination and once more made him a contender.

John Travolta - Pulp Fiction

One of the most famous comebacks of all time is John Travolta in 1994’s Pulp Fiction, when Quentin Tarantino cast the Grease star as Vincent Vega and just like that, made him cool again.

The Saturday Night Fever star, 68, said he never dreamt he’d get a second chance in the spotlight.

“There weren’t many examples of that in the history of cinema,” he said.

Nobody forgot John Travolta’s return in Pulp Fiction. Picture: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Renée Zellweger won an Oscar for her role as Judy Garland. Picture: P Lehman/Barcroft Media

Renée Zellweger - Judy

In the 2000s, Renée Zellweger was everywhere – from Bridget Jones to Chicago, Miss Potter to Cinderella Man.

She was nominated for two Oscars and won for 2003’s Cold Mountain.

But then she withdrew from acting, only to re-emerge with a startlingly changed face. However, just when it looked like that was that, Renee, 53, gave a career-owning turn as Judy Garland in 2019’s Judy and took home another Oscar. Bravo.

Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

Such was his career renaissance, his name became synonymous with it.

Matthew McConaughey, 52, performed a “McConaissance” when he ditched the money and the rom-coms and won an Oscar for his performance in 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club, followed by True Detective the next year.

Although, we think his career high is as Buster Moon in Sing.

Matthew McConaughey performed a “McConaissance”. Picture: Supplied

Robert Downey proved all his doubters wrong. Picture: Universal Pictures

Robert Downey Jr - Iron Man

A comeback list can’t leave out Robert Downey Jr, who, when he was cast in 2008’s Iron Man, was described as the “talent most likely to disappoint” by the LA Times, thanks to his chequered past.

However, the 57-year-old heart-throb turned drug addict proved the doubters wrong with Sherlock Holmes and the Marvel superhero franchises including three Iron Man movies and his appearance as part of the hugely popular Avengers franchise.