Actor Brendan Fraser won the biggest comeback prize of all when he cinched the Best Actor Oscar at the 95th annual Academy Awards.
The 54-year-old found himself nominated for his role in Darren Aronofsky's 2022 hit 'The Whale' - and was up against stiff competition in the likes of Austin Butler, Colin Farrell, Austin Mescal and Bill Nighy.
But when Jessica Chastain and Halle Berry called out Brendan's name, the room erupted into a standing ovation.
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The Mummy and George of the Jungle star Brendan found himself reportedly 'blacklisted' from Hollywood for several years, after claiming that he was sexually assaulted.
Upon accepting his award, Brendan went on to give a heartfelt and inspiring speech. He said: “So this is what the multiverse looks like.
“I thank the academy for this honour and for our studio A24 for making such a bold film. I'm grateful to Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship; The Whale. It was written by Samuel D. Hunter who is our lighthouse.
"Gentlemen, you laid your whale-sized hearts bare so that we could see into your souls, like no-one else could do - and it is my honour to be named alongside you in this category. I want to tell you that only whales can swim at the depths of the talent of Hong Chau and I started in this business 30 years ago, and things they didn't come easily to me but there was a facility that that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped.
"And I just want to say thank you for this acknowledgement because it couldn't be done without my cast. It's been like I've been on a diving expedition on the bottom of my ocean and the air on the line to the surface is on a launch, being watched over by some people in my life like my sons Holden, and Leland and Griffin. I love you Griffy!
"My manager, JoAnne Colonna, Jennifer Plant and my best first mate Jeannie. Thank you again, each one and all. I'm so grateful to you, goodnight!"
And social media erupted after Brendan picked up his award. One fan wrote: "Happy for Brendan Fraser and other folks!" while another, added: "I love Brendan Fraser."
A third, penned: "Waking up to the knowledge that Brendan Fraser won Best Actor for The Whale and Everything, Everywhere All At Once won the night. Thoroughly well deserved," while a fourth, commented: "Also so happy for this! The Whale was such an important and moving film. Brendan Fraser did not leave one dry eye in the theatre with his monologue in the end. So well deserved!"
Michelle Yeoh also made history at the awards by becoming the first woman from an Asian background to win Best Actress after starring in Everything Everywhere All At Once. Yeoh’s co-star Jamie Lee Curtis, 64, won her first Oscar, for supporting actress.
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