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Oscars 2023: 'Emotional' Brendan Fraser wins Best Actor for 'The Whale', fans call it 'greatest comeback'

Brendan Fraser won his first-ever Best Actor accolade at the Academy Awards for 'The Whale'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Brendan Fraser's role in Darren Aronofsky's 'The Whale' has been considered to be the extraordinary comeback story of the year and everyone wanted him to be recognized for his work. The actor reigned supreme at Sunday's 95th Academy Awards as Fraser won the Best Actor (Male) accolade for the first time in his professional acting career.

‘The Whale’ sees Fraser playing a 300-pound man named Charlie who lives in isolation and wants to reconnect with his estranged daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink). Charlie has gained a lot of weight after the tragic death of his partner. His partner's sudden demise shattered him and he started to suffer from an eating disorder. Fraser’s performance received universal recognition and people felt that it was a stunning comeback for the actor.

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Fraser got emotional while accepting the award

The actor got really emotional while accepting the award from Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry and went on to thank everyone who supported him. In his speech, he said, "I’m grateful to Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship ‘The Whale'. That was written by Samuel D. Hunter who is our lighthouse. Gentleman, you laid your whale-sized hearts bare so that we could see into your souls as no one else could do. It is my honor to be named alongside you in this category. I want to tell you that only whales can swim at the depth of talent of Hong Chau [fellow nominee]."

Fraser also opened up about his journey in the film industry and praised his fellow cast members like Hong Chau, Sadie Sink, Samantha Morton, and Ty Simpkins. He noted that Charlie wouldn't have been possible without them.

"I started in this business 30 years ago, things didn’t come easy to me but there was a facility that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped. I just want to say thank you for this acknowledgment. It couldn’t be done without my cast. It’s been like I’ve been on a diving expedition and the air on the line to the surface is being watched over by some people in my life like my sons," Fraser noted.

Fans already calling it 'the greatest comeback'

Social media went berserk as soon Fraser's name was announced from the stage and didn't shy away from sharing their excitement over the victory. One of the fans said, "Congratulations Brendan Fraser. My #Whale heart is filled, You were beyond extraordinary in #TheWhale & we applaud you again & again." Another fan tweeted, "Yes!!! I’m sooo glad Brendan Fraser won for the whale and congratulations to Michelle Yeoh for best actress too! I’m sooo happy! That’s what I wanted!!" Another social media user wrote, "My heart is so full tonight!!! I have been rooting for him every day since he faced what he did!! His comeback is now firmly on track and he is going to new amazing places!!! absolutely the right choice from the academy!!!"

"The greatest comeback in cinematic history," another fan tweeted. "YOU FINALLY DID IT, as the actor of our childhood went on to be the current Oscar winner. CONGRATULATIONS BRENDAN FRASER, YOU FINALLY DESERVE IT :D I FEEL LIKE I'M GOING TO CRY," another fan wrote. "Absolutely happy and delighted for him. It's about damn time he won an Oscar," another one tweeted. "So happy for #BrendanFraser at this moment! He was larger than life for his performance on @TheWhaleMov such a beautiful role he played, perfection," tweeted another one.

'The Whale' also took home the award for Best Makeup and 

Hairstyling.