Branden Fraser couldn’t hold back his tears after winning Best Actor for his breakthrough in The whale at the 95th Academy Awards.
Holding the golden trophy, The Mummy The star looked visibly overwhelmed by his win as he delivered an emotional speech at the prestigious ceremony.
“So this is what the multiverse looks like,” Fraser, who returned to the big screen after several years with Darren Aronofsky’s film, kicked off his winning speech with a quip.
“My God, I thank the Academy for this honor and our studio A24 for making such a bold film. I am grateful to [director] Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and carrying me aboard the good ship The Whale,” the actor said.
“It was written by Samuel D. Hunter, who is our beacon,” Fraser added before thanking fellow nominees Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, Paul Mescal and Bill Nigh for posing.[their] naked whale-sized hearts so we can see into your souls like no one else could.”
Fraser said it was an “honor” to be nominated alongside them and then gave a special shout out to Hong Chau, saying, “Only whales can swim to the depth of Hong Chau’s talent.”
“I started in this business 30 years ago, and things didn’t come easily to me, but there was an ease that I didn’t appreciate at the time, until that stops. And I just want to say thank you for this recognition,” Fraser said.
“Because it couldn’t be done without my cast. It was as if I had been on a diving expedition to the bottom of the ocean and the air on the line to the surface is on the launch watched by some people in my life.
Before concluding his speech, Fraser added, “Like my sons Holden and Leland, and Griffin, I love you Griffey, my manager Joanne Kelowna (spelling?), Jennifer plant. My best friend Jeannie. Thank you again everyone and all. I am very grateful to you. Good night.