Brendan Fraser earns first Golden Globe nomination despite saying he won’t be attending

Brendan Fraser has received his first Golden Globe nomination despite previously saying he would not be attending.

On Monday (December 12), the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which is hosting the ceremony, announced the list of nominees for its upcoming 2023 awards.

Fraser leading The whale as an obese and reclusive English teacher trying to reconnect with his estranged daughter, next to Austin Butler (elvis), Hugh Jackman (The son), Bill Nighty (life) and Jeremy Pope (The inspection).

Before the nominations were released, however, the 54-year-old actor had spoken out GQ that he “won’t be attending” the 2023 Golden Globes, even if he received a nomination.

“That’s because I have more experience with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association,” Fraser said.

In 2018, Fraser claimed he was groped at a luncheon in 2003 by Philip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Berk firmly denied the claims, calling Fraser’s account “a total fabrication.” Charges were never brought against Berk, but Fraser received an apology from the HFPA.

The Independent has reached out to Fraser’s rep for comment.

While Fraser vowed to sit out the Jan. 12 awards show hosted by Jerrod Carmichael, he said he was “determined to work to ensure the film wins an Oscar.”

“I owe it to myself. I owe that to the filmmakers. I know I owe it to the fans who paid to see me and stand in line in the sun and all that. I owe it to my kids. This is my chance,” he said.

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Read that of the independent Four star rating from The whale here.

The whale is out now in US cinemas and in the UK on February 3, 2023.

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