- Brendan Fraser, 54, is a dad of three sons, one of whom has autism.
- The "The Mummy" star disappeared from the spotlight for years to be a more devoted father.
- His middle son looks like Elvis Presley at 18 in new rare photos.
Brendan Fraser, known for his role in "The Mummy" and "George of the Jungle," has taken a step back from his career in Hollywood after he had some unpleasant experiences.
However, he used his time away from Hollywood to become a devoted father. Now, he has a son resembling a 1950s rock star, and he is proud of all three sons. He welcomed his sons with his ex, Afton Smith.
Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith during "Dudley Do-Right" Los Angeles Premiere at Cineplex Universal City Cinemas in Universal City, California, United States | Source: Getty Images
In 2008, an interviewer asked Fraser what it had been like to play a father in the "The Mummy" movies, and the actor said he didn't have to work hard to play the paternal role because his children had made him love being a father. He gushed:
"The other day, when my 4-year-old saw a flowering tree and said, 'Daddy, it's raining petals,' that was poetry that just melted my heart into a mushy, yummy Fudgsicle."
He then joked that his children didn't even know their father was famous because they were more interested in "Spongebob Squarepants," Fraser was just the man who brought them food.
Brendan Fraser and Afton Smith attend 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards - Arrivals at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on January 9, 2006 in Santa Monica, CA | Source: Getty Images
When Fraser played John Crowley, a man about to lose his critically ill children, in "Extraordinary Measures," he said it gave him a chance to appreciate how healthy and happy his own children were.
The star would hug them a little tighter when he got home from set each day and said he would always show them affection whether they wanted him to or not. The actor cannot stand to think of his children being in any sort of danger. He admitted:
"I'd throw myself in front of a train if I had to for their wellbeing."
Brendan Fraser, wife Afton, and sons Holden and Griffin at the Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times 13th Annual Halloween Carnival | Source: Getty Images
Fraser is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure his children are always happy and healthy and has been that way since they were very young. Yet he acknowledges that as hard as he tries, he won't always be able to protect them.
The actor's eldest son is perhaps the child he feels most protective over, as he is on the autism spectrum. He is now twenty years old but still gets all the love in the world from his parents and other caregivers.
Becoming a parent made Fraser realize that he has had to step back from some roles because he needs to be healthy for his children. This led him to allow his stunt double to take on more of the shots in movies.
Brendan Fraser and son Holden during Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times 13th Annual Halloween Carnival at Universal Studios in Universal City, California, United States | Source: Getty Images
Fraser had a few years of starring in movies but allowed his stunt double to take over more often before he decided it was ultimately time to pump the brakes on his acting career and focus on family instead. Yet he returned to Hollywood recently for a good reason.
How Did Fraser Return to Hollywood Supported by His Grown Sons?
In November 2022, Fraser had returned to Hollywood after an extended hiatus. He marked the occasion by walking the red carpet at the New York screening of his new movie, "The Whale," with his youngest sons.
Brendan Fraser, winner of the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for ’The Whale’ poses in the press room during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California | Source: Getty Images
Fraser talked about what it was like to share such a big moment with his family, saying that they all shared a sense of pride in one another and it was terrific for him to have his children by his side as he made his first appearance on a red carpet in years.
The actor also gave of himself when he went to his 18-year-old son's film studies class and gave a Q&A just before the film premiered. He enjoyed doing that and being there for his son in that way.
Sharing his experience with the Q&A, Fraser revealed that it had been as remarkable for him as it had been for the students. He said:
"They'd all gone to see 'The Whale,' and they're whipsmart kids. They understand the craft of filmmaking in a way that's so impressive."
Holden Fraser, Leland Fraser, and Brendan Fraser at the 95th Annual Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Fraser admitted that it was nice to know his children were finally beginning to understand the work that went into his films because when they were younger, they didn't care about their father's movies as they had nothing to do with "Power Rangers."
Now that his children have begun taking an interest in his career, he believes they finally think he is "cool." Yet he jokes he is not sure how long it will last that his children think he's cool enough to be around them.
Fraser won an Oscar for his role in "The Whale," and his sons were among the first people to congratulate him and celebrate his return to Hollywood. He was shocked by their gushing display of pride.
The boys surprised their father by sneaking into his house with balloons and a cake to mark the occasion, and he said that it has now become a core memory for him because he got to share a special moment with his best people.
Does Fraser's Son, Holden, Look Like Elvis Presley at 18 in Rare Photos?
Fraser's sons are notoriously private, but his middle son, Holden, recently shared black and white photos of himself on Instagram that immediately got fans' tongues wagging as he looked so much like Elvis Presley.
The 18-year-old posed in black pants with a black leather jacket over a black shirt and styled his mid-length dark hair like Elvis Presley used to do in his prime. Fans noticed the resemblance and remarked that he should have played Elvis in the biopic rather than Austin Butler.
Many said the young man could've given Butler "a run for his money," while others said they saw Elvis as soon as they looked at Holden. Some couldn't believe the resemblance between the King of Rock and Holden.
A comment left under a photo that Brendan Fraser's son, Holden, posted on Instagram | Source: instagram.com/holden__fraser/
A comment left under a photo that Brendan Fraser's son, Holden, posted on Instagram | Source: instagram.com/holden__fraser/
A comment left under a photo that Brendan Fraser's son, Holden, posted on Instagram | Source: instagram.com/holden__fraser/
A comment left under a photo that Brendan Fraser's son, Holden, posted on Instagram | Source: instagram.com/holden__fraser/
Fraser's son received many loving comments on the post, and fans mentioned that they recognized the AC/DC reference the young man had made in his caption, which read: "Back in black."
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