Following the success of “The Mummy” in 1999, Fraser starred in three other movies: the “Bedazzled” remake with Elizabeth Hurley in 2000, “MonkeyBone” with Whoopi Goldberg, as well as “The Mummy Returns” sequel in 2001. Looking back at his career, Fraser shared that he believes he was “trying too hard” in a way that was “destructive.” By 2008, when the actor was filming the third film in “The Mummy” franchise, Fraser was building “an exoskeleton” for himself every day. Doing stunt after stunt on set after set eventually took a toll on him, causing him to be in and out of hospitals for seven years.
Here’s what the actor told GQ:
“By the time I did the third Mummy picture in China, I was put together with tape and ice — just, like, really nerdy and fetishy about ice packs. Screw-cap ice packs and downhill-mountain-biking pads, ’cause they’re small and light and they can fit under your clothes. I was building an exoskeleton for myself daily.”
Fraser’s many injuries ultimately required him to undergo several surgeries — including a laminectomy (a type of back surgery), a partial knee replacement, and other surgeries on the spine. The actor also had to have his vocal cords repaired.
“I needed a laminectomy. And the lumbar didn’t take, so they had to do it again a year later.”
