Brendan Fraser has been experiencing a major comeback thanks to his leading part in the Darren Aronofsky movie “The Whale” in 2022, which has brought him critical acclaim and success during award season. The actor’s personal life as well as that of his three sons, Griffin, Holden, and Leland Fraser, have drawn a lot of attention during this resurgence.
During a barbecue thrown by Winona Ryder in 1993, Brendan first met their mother, the actor Afton Smith, and by 1998, the two had tied the knot. In a later interview with USA Weekend, he said, “I felt I could mix my personal and professional objectives and have a friend to be with in her. It was love at first sight.” Griffin Fraser, Brendan’s oldest child, was born in 2002. At the time, he told CBS News that becoming a father had drastically changed the course of his life. He stated, “[It] has just given me the utmost motivation to do whatever I do with so much more certainty – and how much I get out of it, how much I love my wife more, and how much I love this kid.” “Those of you who have children know what I’m talking about,” she said.
Although Brendan Fraser’s kids avoid the spotlight, their father has over the years disclosed a number of endearing information about them. To learn more about the actor’s three sons, continue reading.
His eldest son is on the autism spectrum
Brendan Fraser has discussed the autism diagnosis of his oldest son Griffin in a few interviews. He needs more love in the world, and he gets it, the Hollywood veteran told GQ in 2018. He noted the compassionate demeanour of his firstborn and added that Griffin was “a curative on everyone he meets.” They don’t prioritise themselves as much around him, said Brendan.
Brendan also discussed his relationship with Griffin with Howard Stern in 2023. He also said why, during conventions and meet-and-greets, he always prioritises fans on the autism spectrum because it’s vital to him that everyone feel at ease and accepted. He stated, “I know how important it is to their families and to them,” according to USA Today. “To feel that you can satisfy someone just by showing up means a lot.” Brendan acknowledged that he initially found his son’s condition difficult to accept. “I need to know how to make this right. What is the remedy? Why does this matter? “He could recall his thoughts at the time. Then you rapidly realise that there was no other option for me.
Brendan Fraser bonded with Griffin over horses
Brendan Fraser and his son Griffin connected over their mutual love of horses in many ways. After shooting the 2015 television series “Texas Rising,” the actor took a horse by the name of Pecas back to his property in New York. He watched the other horses kick and bite him, and that’s when he connected with the sweet-natured Pecas, as he told GQ in 2018. “He appeared to be in need of assistance without making the false pretence that he is a human. The “George of the Jungle”: “Get me out of here, man.” “star remembered.
Pecas followed him home and started hanging out with Griffin. Brendan added that his son could spend hours outside with the horse, “and even if he doesn’t ride him, just give him a brush.” “The repetitive motion that children with autism enjoy is beloved by the horse. And everything just functions.” The Critics’ Choice Award winner said that working with horses also turned out to be beneficial for him. “The more I ride, the better I feel overall. Basically, I feel better.”
Pecas eventually had to be put to sleep due to problems brought on by his cancer. Griffin and Brendan continue to talk frequently about the cherished horse, Brendan revealed to GQ in 2022.
Brendan Fraser’s sons look out for each other
Brendan Fraser revealed that each of his three sons has an own personality and set of interests during a 2010 episode of “The Rachael Ray Show.” According to a People recap, the actor remarked that Holden Fraser, the middle child, was rather serious as a little child and made a joke about running for parliament. Leland Fraser, on the other hand, was referred to as a “professional fire plug” by him. Brendan went on, “He walks through briers and brushes before emerging scratched but happy. All is well!”
Years later, the “The Mummy” actress told GQ in 2018 that because Holden and Leland were so protective of Griffin Fraser, the oldest son, the brothers had always operated as their own family unit. Brendan made a sweet observation on how they watched out for their big brother as a team: “Ever since they were little, one was always the speaker and the other was the enforcer.”
The decision for their dad to portray the lead role in “The Whale” and his comeback to the big screen was influenced significantly by all three of the boys. He told ET in 2022, “I spent the first, like, 25 years or so of my career doing films that I produced all the hope, desire, and joy from what I imagined to be coming from a character or a storyline. And then some alchemy happens when you have kids and suddenly everything clicks.”
Brendan Fraser is no longer with his kids’ mom
Brendan Fraser’s three sons’ mother, Afton Smith, is also an actor. She had cameos in movies like “Reality Bites,” “George of the Jungle,” and “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” in the 1990s. She also wrote her own books after pausing her Hollywood career to prioritise her family. “Hollywood Chose The Classics” is a guide to the Golden Era of cinema, and “Point to Happy” is a picture book she co-wrote with her mother, Miriam Smith, for autistic children.
Unfortunately, Afton Smith and Brendan Fraser declared in 2007 that they will divorce. They still have a good bond, a source told Us Weekly after the news was announced. Nevertheless, a complicated legal dispute put Fraser’s friendship in jeopardy when, in 2011, he requested a reduction in the $600,000 per year in alimony payments. In response, Afton accused Fraser of concealing his contracts for two films. Ultimately, the court dismissed Afton’s fraud claim and rejected Fraser’s request, adding, “To their credit, both parents are fully engaged in their boys’ lives.”
Brendan Fraser’s younger kids are models
Both Holden and Leland Fraser, sons of Brendan Fraser, are aspiring models who have contracts with the Marilyn Agency in New York. “They are large, attractive boys. Currently, they are the matinee idols “They are far too young to remember when their father was a young hottie in Hollywood, Brendan told The Telegraph in February 2023. Furthermore, he continued, “I don’t look the way I did back then, and I don’t necessarily want to; I’m older now. Yet I’m content with who I am right now.
Brendan acknowledged that all kids are naturally excellent actors in a 2010 episode of “The Rachael Ray Show,” even though he may not have actively encouraged his lads to pursue careers in show business.
The seasoned actor stated that nothing compares to a child’s unrestrained, spontaneous reactions as he saw the drama that might arise amongst his three sons. “They resemble tiny Greek tragedy actors. They are very sincere “He made a remark about how they vented their frustration before bed or their happiness when they were with their father. That is what students learn in acting classes, and that is all they do.
His sons have helped him connect with roles
The true story of John Crowley, a father who battled to learn more about the deadly genetic illness that was killing his two children, served as the basis for Brendan Fraser’s 2010 film “Extraordinary Measures.” He reflected on how appreciative he was that Griffin, Holden, and Leland Fraser were all healthy and said to Parade at the time, “Maybe while doing the movie, I’d come home and embrace my boys a bit closer.” “Whether they want it or not, I always give them hugs and kisses. I say, “Come here, you,” and you blow them raspberries “He revealed.
He continued by expressing his strong affinity with Crowley as a father who would sacrifice anything for his children. Brendan argued, “If it were true that my children would be in any danger at all, it makes my heart stop beating for a second.” It doesn’t mean you can protect them from everything, but you have to try, he continued, before stating that he would stop at nothing to keep his sons safe.
Brendan spoke candidly about how his love for his family influenced his well-received portrayal in “The Whale” in a different interview with Interview.
If I ever needed to hold something of value up to try and communicate that to what was essential to Charlie, I didn’t have to look far since being with my kids, their mom, and our family has given me such love, he added.
Brendan Fraser’s kids give him career advice
Brendan Fraser acknowledged in the aforementioned 2022 GQ interview that he talks to his children about potential film roles and solicits their professional counsel. For instance, his son Holden Fraser enjoys the independent production company A24 Films, so he was thrilled to hear that they would be handling the distribution of “The Whale.” “He asked, “What?” No way! Really?’ Like, that’s how developed these youngsters’ cinematic minds are these days, “said Brendan.
Yet, not all of their recommendations were certain to succeed. Holden wasn’t as excited about his dad getting a part in the DC film “Batgirl,” but he said he should accept it for the sake of his career. Holden said when Brendan questioned his middle child about his justification: “Marvel and DC movies consistently triumph. Everyone can see them. They succeed even when they fail. They triumph! Do it! Absolutely, yes. It’s amazing even if it’s terrible. Do it!” That wasn’t precisely accurate in the end, Brendan remarked cynically. Warner Bros. ultimately decided to fully write off “Batgirl.” Despite having a $90 million production budget, the company prevented it from being released on any platform, as Variety reported.
His sons surprised him after his Oscar nom
Brendan Fraser’s film career was revitalised by a leading performance in Darren Aronofsky’s 2022 thriller “The Whale,” which won him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, after spending some time out of the spotlight. The actor thanked Aronofsky and the rest of the cast and crew in a statement to People, saying he was incredibly thrilled to be nominated for the coveted award. Fraser described the present as “a gift I certainly didn’t see coming, but it’s one that has dramatically transformed my life.”
The wonderfully nice way Griffin, Holden, and Leland Fraser marked the professional apex made his nomination all the more memorable.
Brendan told Extra that his children had surprised him with cake and balloons, describing the experience as a priceless memory. They entered the residence covertly and had a strategy. He also attributed his desire to pursue an Oscar nomination to his children. It’s a realisation of an ideal, he added, “that I would have never even imagined to dare to have allowed, let alone to myself.”
While it wasn’t always the case, Brendan said in his conversation with Willie Geist on “Sunday Today” that his sons are now old enough to enjoy his filmography.
He chuckled, “Now dad’s awesome.” We’ll see how long that lasts, I suppose.
