'The Mummy' Star Brendan Fraser Claims He Was Assaulted By An Ex-HFPA President
Brendan Fraser dominated the 90's and early 2000's with his hit blockbuster films and iconic roles. The actor is best known for his portrayal as Rick O' Connell in The Mummy trilogy but though the series made him a star, it cost him dearly.
From the stunts he did in the films, Fraser had to receive a partial knee replacement, laminectomy and vocal chord surgery over a period of seven years. Furthermore, the actor's roles seemed to dwindle and he wasn't seen much on the big screen.
Fraser is now speaking on why his career came to a halt. The reason why has shocked many.
Fraser's Story Of Survival
The 49-year-old actor claims that he was assaulted by former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President, Phillip Berk in 2003. The incident took place at a summer event when Fraser reached out to shake Berk's hand but Berk reached behind and grabbed the actor's butt and touched him inappropriately.
"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," Fraser stated.
The actor commented that he became fearful of what had transpired and immediately rushed home to tell his then-wife, Afton Smith.
"I became depressed, I was blaming myself and I was miserable-because I was saying, 'This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel," he continued.
Berk denied the incident and claimed that it was "total fabrication", though he did write an apology to Fraser. Fraser also elaborated that he became "reclusive" after the assault occurred and felt that something had been "taken away" from him.
Fraser also starred in the films, Bedazzled, Blast From The Past, George of the Jungle, Crash, and Gods and Monsters.
Fraser isn't the only male in Hollywood to speak out against his attacker. Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp, accused Kevin Spacey of sexually harassing him when he was a teenager. Following Rapp, more actors outed Spacey as a sexual predator who has either groped or indecently exposed himself to them.
White Chick's actor Terry Crews alleged that WME agent, Adam Venit, groped him at a public event.
Fraser has joined the cast for the FX series, Trust, that is based on the abduction of John Getty II, which will premiere on Mar. 28, 2108. Fraser portrays James Flecther Chace in the series.
