Brendan Fraser and Jeanne Moore of The Whale at the Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

Brendan Fraser and his partner Jeanne Moore were photographed Thursday on the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala, where the actor was honored for his performance in The Whale.

Fraser, 54, walked the red carpet at the Palm Springs Convention Center in a navy coat over a white top with a bow tie, navy pants and black shoes. He wore a cropped hairstyle and black-rimmed glasses.

Moore donned a strapless black dress with navy blue trimmings with a layer of tulle and strapless black heeled sandals. She wore her blonde locks back and hoop earrings.

LATEST: Brendan Fraser, 54, and partner Jeanne Moore were photographed on the red carpet at the Palm Springs International Film Festival awards gala, where the actor is honored for his performance in ‘The Whale.’

The veteran entertainer is in the midst of a career comeback with his appearance in the film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, in which he plays a morbidly obese teacher named Charlie.

The big buzz surrounding Fraser and his performance in the film – which also stars Sadie Sink, Hong Chau and Ty Simpkins – began last fall when he received a lengthy standing ovation following the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Fraser appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Wednesday and told how he “just broke down in tears” when he received a standing ovation in Venice in September.

“That solved all the problems,” he said, noting that he “felt that with The Whale there was a real story to tell about someone being locked behind closed doors.”

The actor walked the red carpet at the Palm Springs Convention Center in a navy coat over a white top with a bow tie, navy pants and black shoes

Moore donned a strapless black dress with navy blue trimmings with a layer of tulle and strapless black heeled sandals

Fraser posed with Hong Chau, who plays his closest confidant in the critically acclaimed film

In a statement last month, the festival called Fraser’s performance “virtuosic” and “a soaring character study of a man grappling with the enormity of his regret, the duty of fatherhood and the feasibility of good.”

Announcing the awards, Festival Chairman Harold Matzner said: “Brendan Fraser demonstrates his stunning talent in Darren Aronofsky’s powerful adaptation of The Whale.

“Fraser gives an extraordinary and haunting performance that paints a vivid portrait of our inability to escape our own sadness. For this award-winning performance, we are honored to present the Spotlight Award, Actor, to Brendan Fraser.’

The Indianapolis-born actor, also known for films such as The Mummy, Crash, Encino Man and School Ties, is one of several people honored at the annual film event. Others include Viola Davis, Cate Blanchett, Austin Butler, Colin Farrell and Sarah Polley.

Chau, who portrays Liz in Fraser’s Charlie in the film, introduced Fraser when he received the Spotlight Award at the event

The emotional actor appeared foggy-eyed as he clutched the trophy he received for the performance

Amid the Oscar hype surrounding his performance in the film, the two previous Spotlight Award-winning actors — Bryan Cranston (Trumbo) and Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) — received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor

The veteran entertainer is in the midst of a career comeback with his appearance in the film, directed by Darren Aronofsky, in which he plays a morbidly obese teacher named Charlie

Amid the Oscar hype surrounding his performance in the film, the two previous Spotlight Award-winning actors — Bryan Cranston (Trumbo) and Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) — received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Fraser has received nominations for Best Actor from organizations such as the Critics Choice Association, the Hollywood Critics Association, and the Satellite Awards, among others.

Hosted by the Palm Springs International Film Society, the festival runs through January 16.