New Delhi, December 2 (IANS). Every day new stars are born in Hollywood, but there are some stories that shine the light of humanity more than the stars. The story of Brendan Fraser, born on December 3, is one such rare story—the rise, the fall, the pain, and then a comeback that left the world in shock. To understand his journey, many critics refer to William Goldman’s famous Hollywood book “Adventures in the Screen Trade”, which notes a truth – “In Hollywood, nobody knows anything, but everybody thinks they know everything.” Fraser’s life carves its own unique path amid this uncertainty. Brendan was one of the brightest stars of Hollywood in the 90s. Mega franchises like ‘The Mummy’ made him a global icon. His innocent, almost ‘boy-next-door’ image and energetic acting style connected with the audience. No one would have imagined that the same actor would fall into obscurity within a few years — as Goldman’s book explains the ruthlessness of Hollywood, a place that forgets actors as quickly as it elevates them. Brandon’s decline was not caused by one thing; There was a whole storm behind him. His insistence on doing many dangerous action scenes himself took a toll on his body. The constant operations, pain and operations left him unable to work for a long time. In his personal life, divorce, financial pressure and more to raise his voice about a personal allegation – all this was mentally tiring for him. Hollywood’s attitude towards him changed; Studios that once lined up for them were now afraid to take risks. This was the period that Goldman calls “silent exile” in the book—when the industry makes you invisible even though you are a star. But the beauty of Fraser’s story is that he didn’t let this darkness continue. After many years of silence, lonely struggles and attempts to reconnect with himself, he began to make a comeback with small projects. The audience began to recognize him again – his humility, his simplicity and his truth still shone so brightly even today. And then came ‘The Whale’. In this film he not only acted but also poured out his soul. It was this role that showed the world that an artist never disappears – only the right story is waiting for him. While working on the film, he admitted in several interviews that his character’s breakdown and his own pain somehow recognized each other. When his name was called out on the Oscars stage in 2023, the way the entire hall rose was not the applause of a normal victory; It was the victory of a man, the victory of his tolerance and the victory of his truth. It was a moment that echoed the line from “Adventures in the Screen Trade” – “The industry reminds us that talent never ends; opportunity runs out. And opportunity may come back.” Brendan Fraser’s story is unique because it is not just an artist’s comeback story, but a story of hope for everyone who has ever fallen, broken, forgotten. It’s a story that shows that sometimes great characters are played in life, not on the screen, and that’s what makes him one of the most unique Hollywood stars born on December 3. –IANS KR/