In a recent interview, Brendan Fraser opened up about his own experience with sexual harassment, shedding light on his career hiatus. The #MeToo movement has inspired many individuals, including men like Fraser, to share their stories of abuse. His revelation details an incident involving a notable Hollywood figure in 2003.
Fraser’s narrative, captured in a GQ essay after a series of interviews, addresses the decline of his career, which he attributes, in part, to an unsettling encounter with Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA). At a luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Fraser alleges that Berk approached him under the guise of a handshake but instead assaulted him. He described the experience vividly, stating, “His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around.”
In his own account, Berk later acknowledged the interaction, framing it as a light-hearted jest. However, Fraser recalls feeling violated and instinctively ran past a police officer, unable to voice his trauma. “I felt ill. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry,” he shared. He confided in his then-wife about the incident, describing the emotional aftermath as akin to being splattered with “invisible paint.”
Berk, still part of the HFPA, denied Fraser’s allegations, calling them a “total fabrication.” The incident left Fraser grappling with depression and self-blame, leading him to withdraw from the public eye. He reflected, “I don’t know if this curried disfavor with the group…but the silence was deafening.” Berk, for his part, attributed Fraser’s career downturn to other factors, stating, “His career declined through no fault of ours.”
Fraser’s decision to come forward was influenced by the courage displayed by others in the #MeToo movement. “I know Rose, I know Ashley, I know Mira—I’ve worked with them. I call them friends in my mind,” he said, expressing admiration for their bravery in speaking out. He concluded his story with a candid admission about his fears and the difficult journey of sharing his truth.
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Summary: Brendan Fraser recently shared his personal #MeToo story, revealing an incident of sexual harassment that had a profound impact on his career. The actor’s openness about his experience highlights the ongoing relevance of the #MeToo movement and the importance of speaking out against abuse.