Brendan Fraser.Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 29: Brendan Fraser attends “The Whale” New York Screening at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on November 29, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

Brendan Fraseris grateful for his latest nomination.

The actorscored an Oscar nomination, his first, on Tuesday when he was named among the five nominees for Best Actor, recognized for his performance inThe Whale. The drama was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress for costar Hong Chau and Best Makeup and Hairstyling for the team that transformed Fraser into his 600-lb. character Charlie.

“I wouldn’t have this nomination without [director] Darren Aronofsky, [writer]Samuel D. Hunter, A24 and the extraordinary cast and crew who gave me the gift of Charlie,” the actor continued. “A gift I certainly didn’t see coming, but it’s one that has profoundly changed my life. THANK YOU!”

Hong Chau and Brendan Fraser.Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Hong Chau and Brendan Fraser at the 2023 Palm Springs International Film Awards held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on January 5, 2023 in Palm Springs, California.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free weekly newsletterto get the biggest news of the week delivered to your inbox every Friday.

Also nominated in the category are Austin Butler (Elvis), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Paul Mescal (Aftersun) and Bill Nighy (Living).

Fraser, who also received Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations, won the Critics Choice Award earlier this month,getting emotional in his acceptance speech. He describedThe Whaleas a film “about love,” adding, “It’s about redemption. It’s about finding the light in a dark place, and I’m so lucky to have worked with an ensemble that is incredible.”

RELATED VIDEO: Brendan Fraser Discusses How Obesity and Acceptance is Presented inThe Whale

“And Darren Aronofsky, I was in the wilderness — and I probably should’ve left a trail of breadcrumbs — but you found me, and like all the best directors, you merely just showed me where to go to get me where I needed to be,” Fraser added.

The Mummyactor concluded, “If you — like Charlie, who I played in this movie — in any way, struggle with obesity, or you just feel like you’re in a dark sea, I want you to know that if you, too, can have the strength to just get to your feet and go to the light, good things will happen.”

source: people.com