Brendan Fraser Opens Up About Impact of 2003 Alleged Groping Incident

Brendan Fraser recently shared his thoughts on the lasting effects of an alleged s–ual assault experience he had in 2003 and how it shaped his journey moving forward.

During a chat with Lee Cowan about his upcoming film “The Whale” on the latest episode of CBS Mornings, the 54-year-old actor delved into his accusation against former HFPA President Philip Berk for s–ually assaulting him over 18 years ago.

(Berk, now 89, has denied the allegation.)

When Cowan inquired if the purported incident had a significant negative impact on Fraser's life, the actor acknowledged, “Yes, because there exists a power dynamic at play.”

“I had abided by the established norms until then.

Suddenly, I felt violated and realized that this crossed a line.

I could no longer tolerate it,” Fraser explained.

Fraser disclosed that the alleged encounter caused him immense emotional and personal turmoil.

The incident Fraser described supposedly occurred when Berk approached him to shake hands as they were leaving the Beverly Hills Hotel following a luncheon they both attended.

Recalling the distressing moment to GQ in 2018 when he first made the claim public, Fraser detailed, “His left hand grabbed my buttock and one of his fingers made contact with me inappropriately.

He proceeded to move his finger around.”

Explaining his decision to speak out about the incident, Fraser expressed, “I witnessed many of my peers courageously stepping up to share their truths with authority.

I, too, had something to say.”

In response to previous inquiries from PEOPLE regarding the alleged assault, Berk did not provide a statement but refuted the accusation in The New York Times.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization responsible for the Golden Globe Awards, ejected Berk from its ranks in April 2021 after he labeled the Black Lives Matter movement as a “racist hate group” in an email to fellow members and criticized BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors for purchasing a home in California.

Fraser recently declared to GQ that he will boycott the Golden Globes ceremony scheduled for Jan. 10, even if he garners a nomination for his acclaimed performance in “The Whale.”

“My past experiences with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association overshadow any regard I have for them.

I stand by my principles, and I am no hypocrite,” Fraser affirmed.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of s–ual assault, please reach out to the National s–ual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or visit rainn.org.