Brendan Fraser - Actor Of The Decade

I think the previous responses have already covered everything that I would like to say. I totally agree with them.

Brendan has amazing talent and deserves to be recognized for it.

Hitbfbus, has said it very well. (I've not heard that term in some time :)

Brendan Fraser consistantly gives a great performance. The film may not be the best, he will give HIS best and people will play that movie again and again because of his performance. In my opinion Mr. Fraser is overlooked because he is a quiet man, either too reflective in his interiviews or too goofy. He doesn't have the mass appeal as say, George Clooney or Mel Gibson, two actors known for their public charm and effect. Fraser is a quiet, shy, serious man, known only to those closest to him apparently, but, since he doesn't make a jack ass out of himself in public, he is over looked for the great work he has done. (And why do they give the man a hard time for the Mummy? You'd think he tied up Harrison Ford and didn't allow the man to work. I'm tired of the "Indiana wannabe" slights. It was a great role, he fit it like a glove, it wasn't anything like Indiana, other than a great adventure. )

He deserved an Oscar for God's and Monsters without a doubt. A nomination for Quiet American would have been nice but they told him if he went to the priemere in Viet Nam he wouldn't have one, and he didn't. He was denied a nomination for a BAFTA for the finest performance of Brick in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof that was ever performed by anyone to date. He does deserve this award.

First off, I appreciate your enjoyment of Fraser's work and your defense of him most of the time. But I disagree with you about the award. This is not the weirdest award ever--rather, it's the most overdue.

Fraser is not merely "getting an award for making 'George of the Jungle.'" To quote from the ShoWest article:

"From his roles in action-packed blockbusters like 'The Mummy,' 'The Mummy Returns' and 'George of the Jungle' to his critically acclaimed roles in such independent films as 'Crash' and 'Gods and Monsters,' Fraser has delivered many inspirational performances over the past decade,"

To me, this is meant to represent the widely diverse range of material he's capable of and has contributed, which includes many other roles, for which he's now being recognized, and deservedly so.

Brendan Fraser has earned this award because:

1) Though many are unaware of the true ratio between the genres in his repertoire, he has produced an EQUAL number of thoughtful films versus his lighthearted comedy or adventure fare. He has worked hard to keep a balance between the two throughout his career, and deserves recognition for his ability to do so.

2) He consistently does wonderful, well-crafted performances whatever the type of film--he is deeply moving and compelling in the serious, thoughtful roles, and entertaining, funny, charming, adventurous etc. in the lighter parts. An actor with ability across the board should be acknowledged, not shunned as if his resume is "tainted" by the more lighthearted, entertaining fare.

3) He's not just diverse in the types of films, but in characterization: He changes his very expressive demeanor and mannerisms from role to role in chameleonic ways. Many actors don't have that capacity, or don't use it.

In short, there is a lot more to this actor than many give him credit for, and he deserves recognition for his body of work. He should more accurately be seen not as a buffoon who occasionally does a "surprisingly" serious performance, but as a versatile performer who gives us sensitive and thoughtful work, swashbuckling adventure, and wacky comedy in equal measures. That ability defines a great actor, in my book.