menu Home chevron_right
MOVIES & TV

Brendan Fraser & Dwayne Johnson | Actors on Actors

Variety | January 5, 2026



Dwayne Johnson credits Brendan Fraser with helping to launch his acting career in ‘The Mummy Returns.’ As the two sit down to catch up, he heaps gratitude on Fraser, who insists that there was no other choice for the role. They go on to discuss Johnson’s transformative performance in ‘The Smashing Machine’, Fraser’s heartwarming turn in ‘Rental Family’ and how the CGI in the ‘Mummy’ movies holds up today.

Watch all of this season’s Actors on Actors conversations: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLx_Nt-I7Vipi2SsPY2IYRVFhkVXhCIQq
Watch every Actors on Actors episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLx_Nt-I7ViqzwaE9Iubf84-gRpbNHokn

Join Variety to get access to members-only perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgRQHK8Ttr1j9xCEpCAlgbQ/join

Subscribe to Variety on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@variety?sub_confirmation=1
Subscribe to Variety Events on YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCNYLx3nct1l7Ng9Z2h4bo4w?sub_confirmation=1

Connect:
http://www.facebook.com/variety
http://www.instagram.com/variety
http://www.twitter.com/variety

Tagged as , , , , , .

Written by Variety

Comments

This post currently has 35 comments.

  5. @robertjaime6808

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    Actors like Brendon Fraser have to learn how to play the game in Hollywood. There’s a lot of perverts/ predators that are “disguised” in Hollywood & they know the ones who they can have there way with & the ones they can’t , who they can manipulate & the ones they can’t , who’s weak & who strong! Those kinds of things have been happening since the birth of Hollywood.

  7. @Topdawg8388

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    I hate when people say the rock is not a good actor or he plays the same character in a very movie. Gridiron Gang is an example of the range he is capable of and just because he plays a dominant large alpha male character in a lot of his movies doesn't mean he's a bad actor. A little tougher when your physically to big to act in a drama or serious character role. Everyone can't be Denzel Washington or Heath ledger….. There are so many actors who play the same similar roles and they never get backlash like the rock does. Love how the rock has represented the Polynesian community❤

  8. @SavannahSmiles-m8q

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    Brendan is SO GOOD in Rental Family. His performances keep getting better and better as he gets older. Truly an underrated actor. Loved this interaction between these two friends.

  12. @jarjit2091

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    I've just discovered that if you watch closely, you would see The Rock is a bald and black version of Brendan Fraser 😂 Their looks are quite similar.

  15. @cohen855

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    Very few films or documentaries promote dealing with adversity and learning to be happy and excel on your own ,not as a mental health issue but its ok

  16. @cohen855

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    A true strong person adapts to not needing people or social media likes,they choose to enjoy and effectively stay true to their values,not being distorted by social media,fake people and the need to act without a genuine belief
    Being lonely seems to be a issue of mental health because the ability to function isnt promoted as a good thing ,social media promotes fake false video's for likes,making people believe we cant function alone

  17. @Vicky.Mo14

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    Awww Brendan looks like he’s gonna cry. He’s such a sweetheart. Dwayne is also such an amazing person I’m glad that he gave Brendan his flowers🙌🏾

  19. @TexasTwoStepp

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    Brendan was never forgotten by his fans, the industry robbed us of him because of dirty politics.

    The Mummy franchise and WWE were such big parts of growing up in the 90’s. I’m glad yall got together to make this video, very nostalgic.

  24. @Ymam_

    January 5, 2026 at 4:58 am

    I love Brendan Fraser but I just don’t think he’s ready yet. He’s amazing, it might be nerves but “look at me” isn’t a thing you say to your peer off-cuff.

Comments are closed.

Related
Men Can and Should be Friends with Women
T1J | April 17, 2026
Related
Billie Eilish: Same Interview, The Fifth Year | Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair | April 17, 2026
Related
Why Ryan Gosling’s Project Hail Mary Blew Everyone Away At The ...
Looper | April 17, 2026

This area can contain widgets, menus, shortcodes and custom content. You can manage it from the Customizer, in the Second layer section.

 

 

 

Go to album
  • play_circle_filled

    92.9 : The Torch

  • play_circle_filled

    AGGRO
    'Til Deaf Do Us Part...

  • play_circle_filled

    SLACK!
    The Music That Made Gen-X

  • play_circle_filled

    KUDZU
    The Northwoods' Alt-Country & Americana

  • play_circle_filled

    BOOZHOO
    Indigenous Radio

  • play_circle_filled

    THE FLOW
    The Northwoods' Hip Hop and R&B

play_arrow skip_previous skip_next volume_down
playlist_play