During a recent television appearance, actor Brendan Fraser was visibly moved to tears while discussing a cause deeply important to him. The emotional moment unfolded on an episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, highlighting the powerful connection between a personal story and a new documentary project.
A Personal Connection to 'Saving Superman'
Fraser was on the show to talk about 'Saving Superman,' a short film he executive produced. The 11-minute documentary tells the inspiring story of Jonathan, a 57-year-old man with autism who has become a local icon in his Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn. Fraser explained that Jonathan, who dons a Superman costume each summer, faced a crisis when his housing situation became compromised.
'His housing was being compromised. He was effectively not allowed to live in his apartment anymore,' Fraser shared. 'So he had friends, and the whole town rallied around him to support him having a lodging, a home.'
An Emotional Revelation on Live TV
While explaining the film's premise, Fraser suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion. He quickly revealed the deeply personal reason behind his tears. 'I'm the dad of a son with special needs,' Fraser confessed to host Kelly Clarkson. 'I want to be part of it for that reason.'
He continued, emphasizing the need for greater societal support. 'We need to do well by everyone who has a family on [a] spectrum,' Fraser stated. 'We need more services available to them.' Moved by his raw honesty, Clarkson left her chair to give the actor a comforting hug.
Advocacy Rooted in Family Life
Clarkson reflected on the beauty of Fraser's involvement and the film's goal to shed light on autism. The condition affects 1 in 31 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States, according to the advocacy group Autism Speaks.
For Fraser, this advocacy is a family matter. He is a father to three sons—Griffin, Holden, and Leland. His oldest son, Griffin, was diagnosed with autism as a child. In a past 2023 interview with People, Fraser explained why he always makes space for those who need extra love and understanding.
'You know that there's somebody who needs a little more love, a little more time because they're autistic or they have Aspergers, and this is their world. This is where they belong,' he shared, underscoring his lifelong commitment to inclusion and support for the autism community.
