A fond look back

In his 30-plus-year film career, Brendan Fraser has starred in hit comedies, action-adventure blockbusters and acclaimed indies. He shares some brief memories from his most indelible movies.

‘SCHOOL TIES’ | 1992

“It was the first feature film for me. It wasn’t lost on me [during the audition] that this is my shot right here — this is it. They hired me, but I couldn’t believe it. I was constantly expecting someone to walk up to me and hand me a dish towel and say, ‘Get back in the kitchen, Fraser.’ I hope I never lose that.”

‘ENCINO MAN’ | 1992

“Terrence Malick met me for ‘The Thin Red Line.’ He actually offered me a job and then forgot. [Laughs] But he loved ‘Encino Man.’ He’s like, ‘Where did that guy come from? He just came down from the moon or something. He was like Charlie Chaplin. He was like Buster Keaton.’ I thought the same thing.”

‘GODS AND MONSTERS’ 1998

“The first time I met [Ian McKellen] in person, he was such a delight. He is such a lovely man. But he also said, ‘Well, let’s get to work now — we got to put our big-boy pants on and go do this job. This is exciting and fun, but here we go.’ He’s a hero of mine. He’s just brilliant.”

‘THE MUMMY’ | 1999

“Rick O’Connell was a character born of [writer-director] Stephen Sommers having watched all the swashbuckling films of the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s. Rick has a great deal of irascible energy. He’s not taking anything too seriously. But if you’re playing Rick and you don’t believe in the circumstances [you’re in], then your audience won’t either.”