Yahoo News Brendan Fraser blames career slump on alleged assault
The following article contains allegations of sexual misconduct that some readers may find distressing.
The Mummy's Brendan Fraser has come forward with accusations that his career suffered after he was allegedly sexually assaulted by a top Hollywood executive.
The 49-year-old was at one time one of Hollywood's biggest stars after racking up leading roles in Disney's George of the Jungle, Encino Man and the original Mummy trilogy.
However, Fraser says he retreated from public life after an altercation at a 2003 luncheon thrown by Golden Globe organisers the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA).
In a new GQ profile, Fraser relays that he was pulled aside at this event by former HFPA president Philip Berk and was groped on the buttocks by Berk when he offered to shake hands.
(Former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk)
"His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," the actor alleged. "And he starts moving it around… 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 acknowledges that he left the event without telling a nearby police officer about the alleged assault, and ultimately chose not to go public at the time because he didn't want the accusations to become "part of [his] narrative".
The actor said that the alleged encounter "made [him] retreat" from the spotlight, although he also contends that major offers from Hollywood studios suddenly weren't as forthcoming either.
"I don't know if this curried disfavour with the group, with the HFPA. But the silence was deafening," he remembered.
Berk has called Fraser's claims "a total fabrication", while acknowledging that he'd written the actor an apology letter that stopped short of accepting any blame.
"My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologise'," the former HFPA boss said.
(Mira Sorvino with Brendan Fraser)
Asked why he's decided to come forward now, Fraser acknowledged that the #TimesUp and #MeToo movements started by many of his former co-stars have inspired him to speak out.
"I know Rose [McGowan], I know Ashley [Judd], I know Mira [Sorvino]- I've worked with them," he explained. "I call them friends in my mind. I haven't spoken to them in years, but they're my friends. I watched this wonderful movement, these people with the courage to say what I didn't have the courage to say."
Fraser is currently mounting a Hollywood comeback, with key supporting roles in Danny Boyle's upcoming heist series Trust and the TV reboot of Three Days of the Condor with the aforementioned Mira Sorvino.
Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.
Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.
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