Brendan Fraser's 10 Greatest Performances

Proof that Brendan Fraser remains one of the most interesting actors working today.

Brendan Fraser
Universal

Brendan Fraser is a godd*mn international treasure.

Over the course of several decades now, the man has continuously delivered stellar performances filled with heart, innovation, and genuinely unexpected choices. He's crafted some of the most iconic and memorable leading man performances of his time and delivered some truly awe-inspiring work in supporting roles, continuously pushing the limits of what audiences believed him to be capable of.

It's telling that Fraser's first big break as an actor, Encino Man, saw him actively spoofing his own good looks because that's essentially what he builts his entire career around; proving that he was so much more than anyone would have expected.

With the actor now properly back in the spotlight where he belongs with recent appearances in everything from FX's Trust to DC's Doom Patrol, the twentieth anniversary of The Mummy, and several film appearances still to come in the next year, now is the perfect time to take a look back at his career and honor his ten best performances of all time.

10. Bedazzled

Brendan Fraser
20th Century Fox

This 2000 remake of the classic 1967 film is probably not at the top of anyone's list of greatest comedies of all time. It's a bit rough around the edges but it certainly does have its own rewarding qualities.

First off, it's directed by all-around legend Harold Ramis and for that alone, it's worth a revisit. But secondly, even in the midst of a so-so film, Fraser manages to deliver a stellar performance.

For the uninitiated, Bedazzled is a film whose central conceit is that the Devil (as played by Elizabeth Hurley) appears to Brendan Fraser's character and offers to give him seven wishes if he'll allow her to take his soul. The resulting film is essentially an onslaught of roughly sewn together gags and bits but Fraser tackles each of them with the gusto and tenacity of a legend.

Even when the bits aren't particularly funny, there's joy to be had simply from watching Fraser throw everything he has at them.

Contributor
Contributor

A film enthusiast and writer, who'll explain to you why Jingle All The Way is a classic any day of the week.