The heavy-lidded Brendan Fraser is best known for his goofy, self-mocking roles in cartoonish, big-budget comedies, but with 'The Mummy Returns', the highly anticipated follow-up to 'The Mummy', the 31-year-old hunk is returning to the kind of action adventure that established him as an international heartthrob. A graduate from the Actors Conservatory, Cornish College of the Arts, in Seattle, Brendan borrowed his mothers car after graduation and headed for Los Angeles. There, he landed one line in 'Dogfight' with River Phoenix, did a TV pilot and a TV movie before he won leading roles in 'Encino Man' and 'School Ties'. 'George of the Jungle' made him a star, 'Gods and Monsters' gathered him critical acclaim and 'The Mummy' got him nicknamed "The New Harrison Ford". Here the 62, 187 pounds, $12.5 million a picture star talks about making 'The Mummy Returns', and his unusual childhood, unpredictable career and life in Hollywood.

What is 'The Mummy Returns' like?
I'm going to go out on a limb and say this one is much better than the first film. We're not doing a remake. We're taking what worked in the first one and making that even better. We have a lot of great special effects to back up the world that were creating, and a really great cast.

So, are you all returning for the sequel?
We have pretty much the same team on board again. Rachel Weisz and I are married and living in London. We have a son (Freddie Boath) and we are back in Egypt on another treasure trail. John Hannah is also back.

Does Freddie look like you and Rachel?
He has Rachel's good looks and charm and my clumsiness. This is the first time I've worked with a kid. Usually I play the overgrown kid (laughs). Freddie is great - quite proper and British when it is required of him and on the other hand he's got stuff under his fingernails and gum behind his ear. He's great fun. I think that kids are such natural actors. Their reactions are pure and unfiltered and they have a strong sense of play and fun. And those ingredients are necessary for doing acting work that is authentic and good.

Superstar wrestler The Rock is playing The Scorpion King. What was it like working with him?
In Morocco where we filmed, The Rock is a myth, a legend and, in our movie, one scary guy. I never got to meet him because he left Morocco before I got there, but all the Moroccans were in awe of him.

'The Mummy' was your first action role.
Yes, but I'm still no threat to Harrison Ford. I'm a big fan of his, but I'm a klutz. I walk into things. I have to really act the action hero. I let the 14-year-old in me take over when were filming. That's how old I was when I saw 'Raiders of the Lost Ark', the kind of movie 'The Mummy' pictures resemble.

Did you enjoy being on location in North Africa?
We spent about a third of the time over there as on the first film. I love the region but I got tired of getting sand in my toothbrush (laughs)! Do you ride any camels this time around? I actually got away with not having to ride camels. But there are a lot of special effects where we had to play against air and blue screens. Even since the first "Mummy" the quality of the special effects has doubled. So you can expect even more incredible scenes. It's a rare privilege to work with these special effects wizards.

You have done action ('The Mummy'), drama ('Gods and Monsters'), wacky comedy ('Bedazzled'), even cartoon characters ('George of the Jungle'). Are you worried about being typecast?
No, it has nothing to do with the fear of being stereotyped. I'd just rather keep myself interested that way, instead of playing the same guy every time. I'm just comfortable going back and forth between comedies and drama. I just love diversity, and I like to work with people who I think I can get something positive from and share a good experience with.

Do you like watching yourself?
I never watch dailies (scenes filmed the previous day). I'm comfortable enough with my work to let it be what it is. If I'm watching something I've done its normally because it's on cable TV and were staying up. I'd rather watch other peoples work. I'm too critical of my own work to enjoy it.

Are you the only actor in the family?
Yes. I'm the youngest of four brothers. My father was a Canadian tourism official, so we travelled a lot. I was born in Indianapolis in America and then we moved to Cincinnati, Detroit and Ottawa. I also grew up in Holland as a kid. In Danach for four years, from age six to ten. I had a boat on the canal and I still can ask for mayonnaise in Dutch.

What did growing up so many places teach you?
Moving around taught me to be comfortable in my own skin with new groups of people. I was always told that I had forethought and wisdom that preceded my years. Making a film is a kind of metaphor for my childhood. A group of people come together, you're a family for a short while, and then everybody leaves and the only thing that remains is the film.

How did you get interested in acting?
I was 10-year old and in London with my parents, and they brought me to plays. I saw everything, Greek tragedies, comedies and musicals. It was the musical Oliver that really hooked me on acting. It was great fun to have that as my first influence. I remember seeing actors on stage and thinking, Isn't it wonderful what they are doing and telling a story and taking us somewhere else. And I wanted to be part of that.

In the last ten years, your life has been turned upside down?
The 90's was a wonderful decade for me. I was living out of my car when I got 'Encino Man' and I've never looked back.

How would you describe your experience in Hollywood?
Hollywood has given me an education that you can't really put a price tag on. I've learnt about filmmaking from having been in the trenches with it. I now know how and what type of the script on the page will make it to the screen. I have a feeling for it, and it will lead me to possible producing work one day.

Have you ever been disappointed by the films you have made?
I can't believe I'm actually working, that I actually have a job! But you have no control over the result. It might be disappointing if enough people do not see the film, or maybe it was a great movie but it didn't get distribution. So, the successes are the ones I latch on to more than the failures.

How do you see your career at present?
My career is still young right now. I'm spending time diversifying it, understanding the nuts and bolts of what it takes to make a film, the whole education on it. I'm just immensely grateful to be working in the first place and to be making discoveries.

'George of the Jungle' made you into a beefcake heartthrob (he trained for six months to get that body). Have you maintained the body?
No, it would be too much work, too much discipline. I'm on to another project, another look.

The gay-themed 'Gods and Monsters' was a big hit. The film brought you a huge gay following.
I know many people believe I'm gay. I read it on the Internet. I'm not gay, but I'm flattered that I may be thought to be so. Most gays are immensely intelligent, creative and sensitive people. All attributes that I would hope I could ascribe to myself.

In addition to a blooming career, you are a happily married man.
I have a stable, happy married life, and that is the most important to me. Everything else is gravy as far as I'm concerned. I give thanks every day. I say a prayer, and I pinch myself a lot.

You married your girlfriend of five years, Afton Smith, in September 1988.
She's my best friend and my partner for life. We met at a barbecue party seven years ago. I was a wallflower because I'm not good at parties. I was in the kitchen when this blond, brown-eyed beauty came running in. And that was that.

How did you propose?
It was during a holiday in Paris. It was cold, and we had on dark Turtle necks and long French coats. We were on the Pont des Artistes and I had the ring in my pocket. It was on our last day that I asked her. I had set up my Polaroid camera, set the timer and proposed on camera along the Seine.

How has marriage changed your life?
Marriage has made me feel safe. It has increased my happiness. It's allowed me to feel a sense of calm and optimism. It's made me feel like I belong somewhere.

Do you have any pets?
We have two dogs, Wylie and Lucy.

If you weren't an actor, what would you do?
When I went to college, I parked cars, sold Christmas trees and was a waiter, but I wouldn't go for any of that. I'd love to be a painter, or maybe I'd just sit on a mountain somewhere and think.

What's up next for you?
I'm starring opposite Michael Caine in Phillip Noyce's remake of the Graham Green novel "The Quiet American".

BRENDAN FACT FILE
Name: Brendan Fraser
Born: Indianapolis, Dec 3, 1968
Education: Actors Conservatory at Cornish College of the Arts
Siblings: Three older brothers; Regan, Sean and Kevin
Wife: Afton Smith, since September 27, 1998
Lives: Los Angeles
Films:
The Quiet American (2001)
The Mummy Returns (2001)
Monkey Bone (2001)
Bedazzled (2000)
Sinbad: Beyond the Veil of Mists (2000) (voice)
Dudley Do-Right (1999)
The Mummy (1999)
Blast from the Past (1999)
Still Breathing (1998)
Gods and Monsters (1998)
The Twilight of the Golds (1997) (TV)
George of the Jungle (1997)
Glory Daze (1996)
Mrs. Winterbourne (1996)
Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996) (uncredited) patient (cameo)
The Passion of Darkly Noon (1995)
Now and Then (1995) (uncredited)
In the Army Now (1994) (uncredited)
With Honors (1994)
The Scout (1994)
Airheads (1994)
"Fallen Angels" (1993) TV Series
Son in Law (1993) (uncredited)
Twenty Bucks (1993)
Younger and Younger (1993)
School Ties (1992)
Encino Man (1992)
Dogfight (1991) (as Brendon Fraser)
My Old School (1991) (TV)
Guilty Until Proven Innocent (1991) (TV)
Child of Darkness, Child of Light (1991) (TV)