Brendan Fraser, who stars in Darren Aronofsky’s upcoming awards season contender The Whale, will receive the TIFF Tribute Award for Performance at the festival next month.
Fraser stars in the A24 drama as a reclusive, obese English teacher who tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. The Whale will receive its world premiere in Venice before going on to play Toronto. Elevation Pictures will distribute the film in Canada.
It is the first major film role in a while for the actor, who broke out in The Mummy trilogy and recently appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move. His credits include The Quiet American, Gods And Monsters and Journey To The Center Of The Earth. Coming up are Martin Scorsese’s Killers Of The Flower Moon and Brothers.
Fraser, who was born in Indianapolis and raised in Europe and Canada, will collect the honour at the festival’s in-person gala fundraiser on September 11.
“Brendan Fraser gives a performance of staggering depth, power, and nuance in The Whale,” said TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey. “This former Torontonian has been an action star, a screen comic, and a romantic lead. We’re thrilled to welcome him home as the actor behind one of the finest performances of the year.”
The TIFF Tribute Award for is one of two acting awards being handed out. Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021 and Kate Winslet, Anthony Hopkins, Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix are among recent recipients.
Last week TIFF announced Empire Of Light director Sam Mendes will receive the TIFF Ebert Award.
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