Brendan Fraser has been enjoying a career renaissance these days, including his critically acclaimed turn in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. There’s already award show buzz for his performance. Fraser recently revealed there’s one ceremony he will not be attending, and it has everything to do with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
Fraser Points To ‘History’With HFPA
Interview with GQFraser spoke out about the possibility of being nominated to the Golden Globes and why he won’t be attending the ceremony. “I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association [the organization that puts on the Golden Globes] than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association,”He elaborated. “No, I will not participate.”
Fraser claimed that Philip Berk, then-president, of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, sexually assaulted him at an event in 2003. Fraser explained that the assault, his divorce with actress AftonSmith, and the death his mother caused him to go into depression which led to a decline in his career.
Berk denied the allegation. But the HFPA issued a statement stating this.They stand. “firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in [Fraser’s 2018 GQ interview].”
Fraser Says That He ‘Knew They Would Close Ranks’
Fraser stated that the HFPA had promised to investigate his claims. Instead, they asked Fraser to release a joint statement. “Although it was concluded that Mr. Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance.”
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Fraser declined to sign on to this statement. Berk remained a member of the HFPA voting until 2021 when he had to be expelled because of comments he made about Black Lives Matter.
“I knew they would close ranks,”Fraser spoke highly about the organization. “I knew they would kick the can down the road. I knew they would get ahead of the story. I knew that I certainly had no future with that system as it was.”
It’s been a few years since Fraser’s comments, but the actor shared that he still feels nervous discussing the topic. “I would admit to feeling a little bit of a heart palpitation discussing this with you right now,”He shared.
“But it’s okay because my hope is that I can be recognized at this time in my life and career for my professional efforts, rather than the trope of the comeback kid as being a standard in culture, sports, coming from behind, being written off and then coming back,”He concluded. Fraser is admired for his courage in speaking out and his commitment to fighting against the HFPA.