When Brendan Fraser stood on that stage at the 95th Academy Awards, the air in the Dolby Theatre felt heavy. It was the "Brenaissance" coming to a head. People were crying in their living rooms. He was sobbing. After decades of being the "Encino Man" or the guy from The Mummy, he was finally holding a Best Actor statue for The Whale. Naturally, everyone wanted to know who he’d credit for the long, hard climb back to the top. Specifically, a lot of people started Googling: did Brendan Fraser thank his wife? The short answer is no, he didn't. But the context is everything.
Brendan Fraser actually hasn't been married for a long time. He and his ex-wife, Afton Smith, ended things back in 2007. Their divorce was finalized in 2008. By the time 2023 rolled around and he was giving that emotional, nautical-themed speech, he was in a completely different chapter of his life.
The "First Mate" Who Actually Got the Shoutout
If you watch the footage closely, Fraser uses a very specific metaphor. He talks about being on a "diving expedition at the bottom of the ocean" and having his air line watched over by the people he loves. It was poetic. Kinda vintage Brendan, honestly.
He didn't thank a wife because he doesn't have one. Instead, he gave a massive, tearful thank you to his girlfriend, Jeanne Moore. He called her his "best first mate."
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Jeanne was right there in the audience, looking incredibly proud. She’s a professional makeup artist and hairstylist who has been by his side throughout the entire press tour for The Whale. If you’ve seen them on a red carpet, you’ve seen how supportive she is. At the SAG Awards earlier that year, he was even more direct, saying he wouldn't be able to do any of this without "the love of the clarion call that is my girl Jeanne."
What About His Kids?
While he didn't have a wife to thank, his family was the absolute center of that speech. He shouted out his three sons: Holden, Leland, and Griffin.
- Griffin, his eldest, is on the autism spectrum, and Brendan has often spoken about how much he’s learned from him.
- Holden and Leland were actually there at the Oscars, looking like they stepped off a high-fashion runway.
When he said, "I love you, Griffy," you could hear his voice break. That was the moment that got most people. He credits his boys with being the "air on the line" that kept him going when his career felt like it was stuck at the bottom of the sea.
Why the confusion persists
People still ask about the "wife" because they remember the 90s. In the peak of his fame, he and Afton Smith were a staple couple. They met at a barbecue at Winona Ryder's house in 1993—how much more "90s Hollywood" can you get? Because he disappeared from the spotlight for so long, some fans just assumed the family structure stayed the same.
The reality was a bit more complicated. Their split involved some pretty public legal battles over alimony and child support years ago. It’s the kind of stuff that makes for messy headlines, but Brendan has mostly kept his head down and focused on the work.
Breaking Down the 2023 Oscar Speech
If you’re looking for the exact list of who he acknowledged during that big moment, it wasn't just his partner and kids. He was incredibly thorough for someone who looked like they were about to faint from emotion.
- The Academy and A24: The studio that basically bet everything on his comeback.
- Darren Aronofsky: The director who gave him the "creative lifeline."
- Hong Chau: His co-star, whom he praised for her immense talent.
- Samuel D. Hunter: The writer of the play and screenplay.
- JoAnne Colonna & Jennifer Plante: His manager and publicist who stuck by him through the lean years.
Moving Forward in the Brenaissance
It's 2026 now, and the dust has settled on that Oscar win, but the curiosity about his personal life hasn't really slowed down. People love a comeback story, and they love the idea of the "loyal partner" behind the scenes.
Jeanne Moore continues to be that person for him. They’ve been seen together at festivals like Montclair recently, and she remains a steady presence as he navigates this second act of his career. He’s moved on from the "action hero" days to being one of the most respected dramatic actors in the business.
A Quick Reality Check
- Is Brendan Fraser married? No, not currently.
- Did he mention his ex-wife Afton? No, not in his major 2023 acceptance speeches.
- Who is Jeanne Moore? His longtime girlfriend and a pro makeup artist.
If you’re ever curious about the actual words he said, the Academy has the full transcript in their database. It’s worth a read—not just for the names, but for the way he talks about resilience. He didn't just thank people; he thanked the "facility" of his talent that he didn't appreciate until it was gone.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see the performance that led to that speech, you should watch The Whale on A24's streaming platforms. It’s a tough watch but explains exactly why he was so overwhelmed on that stage. You can also look up his 2023 SAG Awards speech for a more "unfiltered" version of his gratitude toward Jeanne Moore.