This year’s Critics Choice Awards saw Encino Man co-stars Ke Huy Quan and Brendan Fraser reunite, with some wholesome backstage footage from the event showing the Everything Everywhere All at Once star seen congratulating Fraser for his Best Actor win for his performance in The Whale. Coming courtesy of the Critics’ Choice Awards, the footage is sure to warm even the coldest of hearts, as Ke Huy Quan sprints over to congratulate a clearly emotional Brendan Fraser after spotting him in the Winner’s Lounge.
Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan starred together way back in 1992’s Encino Man, which follows California teen Dave Morgan (Sean Astin), who is digging a pit for a pool in his backyard when he happens upon a caveman, played by Fraser, frozen in a block of ice. Aided by his goofy friend Stoney (Pauly Shore), Dave transports their discovery to his garage, where the Neanderthal thaws and is revived, resulting in all manner of zany misadventures.
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Both Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan have been undergoing a resurgence in their respective careers over the past year or so, with Fraser recently congratulating he Encino Man co-star for his performance in the absurdist action-comedy-drama, Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“I saw Everything Everywhere All at Once, and I was like, ‘This is the most awesome movie that’s ever been made.’ I love this picture. I love Michelle [Yeoh] in this; she’s an old friend, and [when I saw it] I went, hang on, I know him,” Fraser said of seeing the movie, which walked away from the Critics Choice Awards with Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for Ke Huy Quan.
“His name wasn’t Ke in the days that I knew him, for reasons we just don’t abide by any longer,” Fraser continued. “Some agent told him that no one would understand [the name] or whatever. We don’t get to do that anymore. He is who he is. The journey that he’s taken to come to this place has given him, I think, the role of his lifetime, and he’s given the performance of his lifetime, and in many ways, I, like him, feel the same way. We gave it everything we had. We’re both like, ‘We’re still here, man! We’re still here.’”
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The Whale Follows Brendan Fraser as a Reclusive English Teacher with Severe Obesity
A24
Based on the 2012 play by Samuel D. Hunter, The Whale sees The Mummy and No Sudden Move star Brendan Fraser leading the latest outing from director Darren Aronofsky. Fraser stars as Charlie, a 600-pound middle-aged man who tries to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter. The two have grown apart after Charlie abandoned his family for his gay lover, who later died, which leads to Charlie binge-eating out of pain and guilt. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and written for the screen by Samuel D. Hunter, The Whale stars Hong Chau, Samantha Morton, and Ty Simpkins alongside Brendan Fraser, with Stranger Things star Sadie Sink starring as Ellie, Charlie’s daughter.
The Whale made its debut at the 79th Venice International Film Festival back in September 2022, before receiving a limited theatrical release in December. The Whale was then given a wide release on December 21, courtesy of A24, and has since grossed $11 million against its $3 million budget.
