- Even after his Academy Award win, Brendan Fraser admits he still grapples with feelings of inadequacy and a lack of confidence.
- In his new film, Rental Family, Fraser ironically plays a struggling American actor working odd jobs in Tokyo.
- The actor revealed that taking the role in Japan was a deliberate choice to step away from Hollywood after his high-profile awards season.
- Fraser confessed that he is his own harshest critic, saying, “No one can be harder on me than me.”
Brendan Fraser’s Post-Oscar Reality
Brendan Fraser captured hearts and headlines with his triumphant comeback, culminating in a Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Whale. But in a recent, candid interview, the beloved actor revealed that the golden statuette hasn’t silenced his inner critic. Fraser, 56, admitted he continues to face a personal battle with self-doubt.
“I struggle with confidence,” Fraser shared. “I always have the feeling of not being good enough. Believe me, no one can be harder on me than me. No critic, no pithy internet comment can be more biting to me than myself in my private thoughts.”
This refreshingly honest admission offers a glimpse into the pressures that persist even after reaching the pinnacle of professional success. It’s a struggle he says he is constantly working to overcome.
Art Imitates Life in ‘Rental Family’
Fraser’s latest project, Rental Family, sees him stepping into the shoes of a struggling American actor trying to make a living in Tokyo. Written and directed by Hikari, the film’s premise hits close to home for the actor, who joked that the role serves as a crucial reminder: “Don’t get too comfortable. It can happen to me.”
Taking on a character grappling with professional uncertainty so soon after his own career resurgence was a conscious choice. For Fraser, it was an opportunity to stay grounded and explore themes that resonate with his personal journey.
A Necessary Retreat from Hollywood
After the whirlwind of awards season, Fraser explained that filming Rental Family in Japan provided a much-needed escape. The decision to immerse himself in a different culture was a way to decompress and find perspective away from the intensity of Hollywood.
“It was personally what I needed,” he explained. “I wanted to remove myself from whatever this place is, just for a while.”
Filmmaker Hikari gave him the chance to transition out of the “vacuum” that follows such significant industry recognition. The role allowed him to process the changes in his life and career while focusing on a new creative challenge. As Fraser continues to navigate his celebrated return to the spotlight, his vulnerability reminds fans that even Hollywood’s biggest stars face their own private battles.