“I Was in the Wilderness” Before The Whale
Kevin Winter/Getty Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser Has won the award for best actor at 2023 Critics Choice Awards.
The Whale Star, 54 beat out Austin Butler (Elvis), Tom Cruise (Top Gun: Maverick), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Bill Nighy (LivingTo win the victory, type ().
At the start of his emotional acceptance speech, Fraser thanked the Critics Choice Association, then joked, “It was Herman Melville who once wrote that there are only five critics in America — the rest are asleep. I don’t even know what it means but I’m sure glad that you woke me up. Where were your forefathers? Furry Vengeance?!”, calling out his 2010 comedy star Brooke Shields And Ken Jeong.
He went on to describe The Whale It’s a film about love, adding that it is also about redemption. It’s about finding the light within a dark place. I feel so lucky to have worked alongside an amazing ensemble. Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins and playwright/screenwriter Samuel D. Hunter.
“And Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness — and I probably should’ve left a trail of breadcrumbs — but you found me, and like all the best directors, you merely just showed me where to go to get me where I needed to be,” Fraser said.
He concluded, through tears, “If you — like Charlie, who I played in this movie — in any way, struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you, too, can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter Stay up-to date with all the latest PEOPLE news, from celebrity news to human-interest stories.
Monica Schipper/WireImage Brendan Fraser
RELATED: Everything Everywhere All at Once Leads 2023 Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations
Fraser’s commitment to The Whale, in which he plays A 600-lb. He weighed in at 600 lbs. Golden Globe nomination.
On Jan. 5, Fraser — who makes a triumphant return to the big screen with The Whale — received the Spotlight Award at the Palm Springs International Film Awards. His standing ovations at film festivals have been multiple-minutes.
“It’s been gratifying, it’s been eye-opening“It has made me feel proud,” the actor said to PEOPLE about the praise he received for his performance. It has given me a sense of accomplishment to see how people are changing their minds and hearts through this story.
He said, “That’s gratifying to say the least. That kind of opportunity doesn’t come along in this circus show that we all enjoy sometimes.”
“But when it does, but it’s material that’s handled with care Fraser shared that the project behaves in an interesting and important way and that it is very rewarding to be part of it.
RELATED VIDEO – Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon Represent the Critics Choice Awards
Everything Everywhere All at Once Sunday’s ceremony: The leader of the pack with 14 nominations overallIncluding a nomination for best actress Michelle Yeoh And best supporting actor win For Ke Huy Quan.
Steven Spielberg‘s The Fabelmans 11 nominations were received, Damien ChazelleThe latest movie Babylon 10 nominations were given for the awards ceremony.
Joey Berlin, executive at CCA, stated in a statement last month that “this recognition comes from an diverse group of over 600 critics and entertainment journalists who share their opinions on film and television with million of people every day all year,”
He said, “Our collective opinion on the year’s best achievements is truly meaningful for the creative community.”
The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards will air live on The CW.