Brendan Fraser was never really that far away—but when you’re as beloved as he was, any retreat at all feels like a loss. Luckily, the actor is back in a major way with Darren Aronofsky’s “The Whale,” a role that earned him his first Oscar nomination, and a renewed sense of self. 

“I know how wanting this profession can make people become… it can really change your brain chemistry to turn you into a different person that you maybe weren't anticipating,” Fraser says. “I wanted to make sure that I had a strong sense of identity. And that always came from feeling like I was comfortable in my own skin."

In this episode of In the Envelope: The Actor’s Podcast, Fraser explains all the ways he’s changed as an actor—and as a person.
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Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. This is your guide to every aspect of acting, from voiceover and commercial work to casting directors, agents, and more. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made, to personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ

Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
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Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
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Check out our community-driven virtual programming, The Slate: https://bit.ly/2WDNXf0
Backstage stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement: https://bit.ly/3cuMBt5

Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins
- Design: Mark Stinson, Caitlin Watkins
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Samantha Sherlock, Oriella St. Louis

Brendan Fraser

Madelyn Cline joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the experience of filming the fifth and final season of Netflix's "Outer Banks." Cline also gets candid about her road to success and how she plans to navigate this new era of her career. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull 
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Madelyn Cline

Paul Mescal joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to offer a rare, candid look inside his acting process. Mescal also discusses his chemistry with Josh O'Connor in "The History of Sound," playing William Shakespeare in Chloé Zhao's "Hamnet," and what it's been like during camera tests and rehearsals for Sam Mendes' four Beatles biopics, in which he'll play Paul McCartney alongside Harris Dickinson's John Lennon, Joseph Quinn's George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan's Ringo Starr. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Paul Mescal

On this episode of Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast, we look back on a few of the best stories we got from A-list actors about how they first fell in love with the craft. Featuring in-depth anecdotes from: 

Barry Keoghan
Austin Butler
Colman Domingo 
Brendan Fraser
Sebastian Stan 
Stephanie Hsu 
Robin Thede 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

A-Listers' Acting Origin Stories

Ethan Hawke joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to offer industry insights and performance tips that any aspiring actor will want to hear. Hawke also discusses "Blue Moon," his ninth collaboration with Richard Linklater, and looks back on past projects like "Dead  Poets Society," "Training Day," and the "Before" trilogy.  
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Ethan Hawke

Oscar Isaac joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to go in-depth on Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein," working with Jacob Elordi, and creating a brand new take on Mary Shelley's mad scientist. Isaac also discusses his life as a young artist fresh out of Julliard, how he's evolved since, and the lessons—both personal and professional—that all aspiring performers should take from his career. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Sponsored by MetroPlusHealth

Oscar Isaac

Zoey Deutch joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to offer intimate, candid insights into the highs and lows of a working actor's life. She also goes deep on playing French New Wave icon Jean Seberg in Richard Linklater's "Breathless" behind-the-scenes biopic, "Nouvelle Vague," getting cut from "The Amazing Spider-Man," and learning to be kinder to herself on set. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Zoey Deutch

Elle Fanning joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss the intense experience of juggling two massively different 2025 projects: "Predator: Badlands" and "Sentimental Value." Fanning also gets candid about the entire arc of her career, navigating child stardom, choosing roles, and much, much more. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli

Elle Fanning

Dylan O'Brien joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss his remarkable dual performance in James Sweeney's dark comedy, "Twinless." O'Brien also gets candid about the realities of Hollywood, the highs and lows of his career, why he'll never talk bad about "Teen Wolf," why you should be excited about Sam Raimi's new survival horror film, "Send Help," and much more. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
This episode is sponsored by MetroPlusHealth

Dylan O'Brien

Jesse Plemons joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to dive deep into his performance in Yorgos Lanthimos' "Bugonia" (including his reaction to his character's explosive ending), his philosophies on acting, the "Hunger Games" prequel "Sunrise on the Reaping," how his “Friday Night Lights” experience still informs his process, and much, much more. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli
This episode is sponsored by MetroPlusHealth

Jesse Plemons

Teyana Taylor joins Backstage's In the Envelope: The Actor's Podcast to discuss her electric performance as Perfidia Beverly Hills in Paul Thomas Anderson's "One Battle After Another." Taylor dives deep into crafting the character with Anderson, her reaction to audience's seeing Perfidia as a villain, filming the movie's most intense scenes, recording that climactic letter, and much more. 
...
Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, senior editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day: https://bit.ly/2OMryWQ
...
Follow Backstage and In the Envelope on social media:
- https://www.facebook.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/backstage
- https://www.twitter.com/intheenvelope
- https://www.instagram.com/backstagecast
Looking to get cast? Subscribe here: www.backstage.com/subscribe
Browse Backstage casting listings: https://bit.ly/3mth68e
Special thanks to...
- Host: Vinnie Mancuso
- Producer: Jamie Muffett
- Social media: Karen Jenkins, Sky Silverman
- Design: Andy Turnbull
- Additional support: Kasey Howe, Suzy Woltmann, Jenn Zilioli 

Teyana Taylor

Backstage has been the #1 resource for actors and talent-seekers for 60 years. In the Envelope, Backstage’s podcast, features intimate, in-depth conversations with today’s most noteworthy film, television, and theater actors and creators. Full of both know-how and inspiration, In the Envelope airs bi-weekly to cover everything from practical advice on navigating the industry, to how your favorite projects are made and personal stories of success and failure alike. Join host Vinnie Mancuso, Senior Editor at Backstage, for this guide on how to live the creative life from those who are doing it every day.