Brendan Fraser and Ke Huy Quan, both successful actors in their own right, recently won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor awards, respectively.
While their recent accomplishments are noteworthy, many people may not be aware that the pair had previously starred in a 90s film called Encino Man.
Fraser, who won Best Actor for his role in The Whale, had previously discussed how he felt ‘blacklisted’ from Hollywood after his successful career in the 90s and 2000s. Similarly, Quan’s win for Best Supporting Actor marked a comeback to the industry after struggling to find work as an adult actor, following his success as a child star in movies like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies.
During their 90s heyday, Fraser and Quan were box office draws in their own right. Fraser starred in several hit movies, including The Mummy and George of the Jungle, while Quan made a name for himself in the likes of The Goonies and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. However, it was their shared work on Encino Man in 1992 that brought them together.
In the film, which was known as California Man in some countries, two teenagers in Encino, Los Angeles discover a caveman (played by Fraser) frozen in a block of ice in their backyard. After thawing him out, they help him navigate life in the modern world, where he meets Quan’s character, Kim, who is a member of the local computer club.
Reflecting on their reunion after all these years, Quan recently shared his experience of working with Fraser again. “We saw each other out there for the first time after all these years, we gave each other a hug and he said, ‘Ke, we’re still here,’” Quan said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
During the 2023 Oscars ceremony, host Jimmy Kimmel highlighted the fact that the two actors had previously starred in Encino Man together. He noted that it was incredible that two actors from the same movie were nominated for Oscars 31 years later.
Fraser and Quan were visibly moved as they accepted their awards, with Fraser thanking director Darren Aronofsky for ‘throwing him a creative lifeline’. Quan, on the other hand, expressed his gratitude for being welcomed back into the industry after struggling to find work.
As Fraser accepted his award, he reflected on his 30-year career in the industry. “I want to tell you that only whales can swim at the depths of the talent of Hong Chau,” he said. “I started in this business 30 years ago… there was a facility that I didn’t appreciate at the time until it stopped.”
In conclusion, Fraser and Quan’s reunion at the Oscars highlights the importance of recognizing the accomplishments of actors throughout their careers. Despite their recent wins, it is their shared experience in Encino Man that will always be a part of their journey in the entertainment industry.
