Brendan Fraser is a Canadian-American actor who has contributed his talents to a variety of different projects throughout his career. He was once known for his work in dramas and comedies, but his performance as Rick O'Connell in The Mummy cemented him as an icon in the film industry.

Though many believed his acting days to be over, Brendan Fraser has returned to breathe life into countless movies and TV shows since his hiatus. With Darren Aronofsky's The Whale scheduled to release this winter, fans of Fraser are eager to see him thriving in a starring role once more. He has starred in some truly spectacular flicks over the years, but some stood out more than others.

10 Looney Tunes: Back In Action (2003)

Brendan Fraser in Looney Tunes Back in Action

Joe Dante's Looney Tunes: Back in Action operates under an unusual premise. It follows the story of a fame-hungry Daffy Duck whose quest for recognition and equal pay resulted in his termination from Warner Bros. Daffy's departure affected multiple lives, but the life of DJ Drake was uprooted more than anyone else's.

DJ, played by Brendan Fraser, was an employee at Warner Bros. before Daffy's outburst resulted in him being fired. To make matters worse, his father is kidnapped shortly after his firing, forcing DJ and Daffy to team up in the hope of rescuing him.

9 Airheads (1994)

airheads-1994

Michael Lehmann's Airheads follows the story of a young rock group hellbent on achieving recognition and success. When their multiple attempts to get their music played on the radio fall on deaf ears, they hijack a radio station in the hope that they may finally attain stardom.

Brendan Fraser plays the character of Chazz Darby, The Lone Ranger's lead guitarist and singer. Though his talents as a musician are undisputed, the music industry fails to acknowledge him. Getting kicked out of his apartment by his girlfriend appears to be what set his aggressive ways in motion, leading to some frightening yet hilarious scenarios.

8 With Honors (1994)

Brendan Fraser in With Honors

Alek Keshishian's With Honor received mixed reviews upon its release but has become something of a classic since then. Starring Brendan Fraser and Joe Pesci, it follows the story of an arrogant college student named Monty Kessler who loses his college thesis and finds it in the possession of Simon Wilder.

RELATED: Best Sam Rockwell Movies

Brendan Fraser's performance as Monty makes the character feel much more believable. He undergoes some severe changes throughout the narrative thanks to his dealings with Simon, and becomes a likable and relatable character by the movie's climax.

7 School Ties (1992)

Brendan Fraser in School Ties

Robert Mandel's School Ties documents a heartbreaking tale of fear and acceptance. The story follows David Greene, a young man who recently received a scholarship to attend St. Matthew's Catholic Boarding School. This should be an exciting moment for David, but he is terrified of what his peers will think if they discover he is Jewish.

Fraser's performance as David is truly heartrending. He approaches the role with respect to how isolating one's school experience can be, especially when their background differs from the vast majorly. David eventually comes to embrace his religious background, but the journey he takes to get to this point is wrought with sadness and disappointment.

6 The Quiet American (2002)

Brendan Fraser in The Quiet American

Phillip Noyce's The Quiet American, based on Graham Greene's classic novel of the same name, follows three unlikely characters who find themselves at the center of a murder investigation as a result of the state of the war-riddled world around them.

Brendan Fraser plays the character of Alden Pyle, a young American man who was sent by the C.I.A. to manipulate the war in a particular direction. The story is full of betrayal and deceit, made even more compelling thanks to Fraser's impeccable performance as a C.I.A. operative.

5 Guilty Until Proven Innocent (1991)

Brendan Fraser in Guilty Until Proven Innocent

Paul Wendkos's Guilty Until Proven Innocent tells the story of Bobby McLaughlin, a young man renowned for causing trouble. He is accused of committing murder when his police file is a mistaken for someone else's, even though he had no involvement. Given his already damning track record, few believe he is innocent.

Bobby eventually convinces his adoptive father, Harold Hohne, that he could never commit such an atrocity. The two then begin to work together in an attempt to clear Bobby's name. Fraser's performance as Bobby is believable and compelling. His character feels convincing, thanks to the respect with which Fraser approached the part.

4 No Sudden Move (2021)

Brendan Fraser

No Sudden Move, directed by Steven Soderbergh, follows the story of a group of criminals who find themselves amidst a mysterious plot. When their attempt to complete what should have been a relatively easy job fails, the group is forced to uncover who it was that hired them in the first place.

Though Brendan Fraser is somewhat sidelined as a supporting character, his performance as Doug Jones adds an incredible amount to the overall narrative. If not for Doug recruiting Curt Goynes during the movie's opening, the nail-biting plot of No Sudden Move would never have received the chance to play out.

3 The Mummy (1999)

the mummy rick o'connell evelyn camel brendan fraser
Universal Pictures

The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers, follows the tale of an unlikely group of adventurers whose exploration of the ruins of Hamunaptra results in the resurrection of a truly haunting evil. Having awoken High Priest Imhotep from his slumber, Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan feel it is their responsibility to ensure his reign is put to an end once more.

RELATED: LGBTQ+ Movies That Deserve A Remake

Fraser's performance as Rick O'Connell is perhaps his most iconic to date. Though the movie received mostly average reviews, it was both his performance as Rick and Rachel Weisz's performance as Evelyn that cemented it as the cult classic it is seen as today.

2 Gods And Monsters (1998)

Brendan Fraser and Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters

Bill Condon's Gods and Monsters follows the story of James Whale, a retired Hollywood director whose health is slowly deteriorating. Once renowned for producing classics such as Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, the famed filmmaker has decided to spend the remainder of his life enjoying life's more physical pleasures.

Fraser plays the character of Clayton Boone, a young gardener who strikes up a friendship with Whale during their time together. Though they initially struggle to see eye to eye, they spend most of the narrative's remainder divulging their innermost feelings to each other, further solidifying their friendship.

1 The Whale (2022)

Brendan Fraser The Whale A24

Darren Aronofsky's The Whale has yet to be officially released, but judging by its reception in Venice, it will more than likely be one of Fraser's most memorable roles. It follows the story of an obese English teacher who, after abandoning his family, attempts to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

Charlie began binge-eating after the death of his lover and now weighs approximately 600 pounds. Though Brendan Fraser's role as Charlie is yet to hit theaters, the six-minute standing ovation he received in response to the movie's premier suggests his performance is truly breathtaking.

MORE: The Northman: Best Movies And Series Starring Anya Taylor-Joy