19 February 2023 , 19:18
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BAFTA nominee Brendan Fraser has hit the red carpet at the lavish bash ahead of the ceremony.
The Hollywood star is nominated for an award for his role in The Whale, which sees him play morbidly obese English teacher Charlie.
Brendan, 54, has received critical acclaim across the board for his work in the film, also picking up an Oscar nomination for the gritty part where he tackles both the social and health issues surrounding excess weight.
He looked unrecognisable as he stepped out on the carpet at the British bash looking slim and handsome in a fancy tuxedo, a stark contrast from the role that won him his nomination.
Brendan looked suave as he stepped out on the red carpet (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f)
Brendan with partner Jeanne Moore (Getty Images for BAFTA)At the ceremony, Brendan will go up against Irish actors Colin Farrell and Paul Mescal, who are also nominated for their work in The Banshees Of Inisherin for the former and Aftersun for the latter.
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Brendan has previously admitted he has 'made peace with the way he looks' after turning his back on his days as a 'hunk,' since taking on the role of Charlie.
The character sees director Darren Aronofsky highlight the obesity crisis in the US by showcasing the issues being overweight can cause not just health-wise, but in a social capacity.
While Brendan has spent years playing more hunky roles such as George Of The Jungle and the Indiana Jones inspired lead Rick O'Connell in box-office smash franchise The Mummy, he changed his look for the lead role that has seen him recognised by awards judging boards.
Brendan is unrecognisable as Charlie in The Whale (DAILY MIRROR)However, while the part may seem him no longer cast as a conventionally good-looking all-American lead, Brandan isn't sad to see a change in how he is depicted to audiences.
In fact, he has admitted to being happy to not look the same way as he used to, especially for such an important role.
He told The Telegraph: "I do know that it brought me to a point in my life when I needed to retreat. And I did.
"I’m older now; I don’t look the way I did in those days, and I don’t necessarily want to. And I’m glad that the work I can do is based in an emotional reality that’s not my own life, but is one that I can strongly identify with."
Colin Farrell is the bookies favourite to win the award (Getty Images)
Hunky Irish star Paul Mescal is also in the running (Getty Images for BAFTA)In order to transform his appearance for the film Brendan wore a fat suit packed with dried beans to create an authentic look as the 21-stone morbidly obese man whose weight has put him at risk of an array of serious health conditions including congestive heart failure.
Other nominees in the category include Austin Butler for his emotionally provocative performance as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's biopic of the iconic singer, Bill Nighy for Living and Daryl McCormack for Good Luck To You, Leo Grande.
However, it's Colin Farrell who is favourite to win the award on the night after the incredible success of Best Film nominated dark comedic masterpiece The Banshees of Inisherin, which also sees Dublin-born rising star Barry Keoghan nominated as Best Supporting Actor alongside co-star and Irish movie icon Brendan Gleeson.
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