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AARP The Magazine EXCLUSIVE: Brendan Fraser on Reinvention, Resilience, and Living Fully at 57
Fraser discusses the highs and lows of his 35-year career, his life off-screen and the personal struggles he has dealt with along the way
WASHINGTON—After a career marked by blockbuster fame, personal struggle, and a tough road back, Brendan Fraser is redefining what a Hollywood career can look like at 57. In the February/March issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM), the Academy Award–winning actor opens up about resilience, reinvention, and why some of his greatest triumphs have come later in life.
Following the release of his latest film, Rental Family, Fraser reflects on a 35-year career marked by meteoric highs, painful setbacks, and an extraordinary third act. From early stardom in beloved hits like George of the Jungle and The Mummy to a decade-long period of career quiet, Fraser’s story has never followed a straight line. His Oscar-winning performance in The Whale not only marked a professional resurgence, but a deeply personal reckoning defined by vulnerability, persistence, and compassion.
In his interview with ATM, Fraser speaks candidly about depression, physical injury, fatherhood, and the emotional cost of life in an unforgiving industry. Known on screen for his strength and spectacle, off screen Fraser reveals himself to be deeply empathetic and earnest, qualities that have endeared him to generations of fans. Now, with Rental Family earning praise and another Mummy installment on the horizon, Fraser shows no signs of slowing down.
The following are excerpts from ATM’s February/March 2026 feature story with Brendan Fraser. The issue is available in homes starting in February and online now at www.aarp.org/magazine.
On perseverance:
“For a long time there, I felt like I disappointed people because I hadn’t met their expectations. But I’m still here, you know? This is what I do.”
On asking for help:
“Early on, I didn’t know you could ask for help. I only saw the stigma of it. I was afraid to say, ‘I need a hand.’”
On his career comeback:
“I understood why people were framing it as a comeback, but the truth is, I never went that far away.”
On life after winning an Oscar:
“Before The Whale, I had everything to prove. And now, to be honest, not so much.”
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About AARP:
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 125 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.