ACTOR · BORN 1962
Jim Carrey
- Born
- 17 January 1962, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
- Known for
- Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003), Friends (1994), Toy Story (1995), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
351 archived facts 8 topics 2 sources Last reviewed Nov 2026
Jim Carrey (born 17 January 1962) is an actor best known for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, Friends and Toy Story.
Jim Carrey over the years
351 Interesting Facts About Jim Carrey
Interesting Facts (47)
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He bought a Harley Davidson and, as a joke, got a vanity plate reading "NO TAG," which led to a stream of traffic tickets in the mail meant for other people: when filling out a ticket for a vehicle with no plate, police write "no tag" in the plate number box, and in some cases that was read as an actual plate number, routing the tickets to Jim.
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Jim Carrey has said that Joel, his painfully shy, heartbroken character in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), is closer to who he is off "stage," and that making the film made him question his past relationships and why they didn't work, proof of the deep emotion behind his comic mask.
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Jim Carrey has played several unusual characters for whom television is everything: the Riddler in Batman Forever (1995), who hatches a scheme to hypnotize people and drain their minds through TV; a cable guy with a lifelong unhealthy TV obsession in The Cable Guy (1996); a man who discovers his whole life is a hit reality show in The Truman Show (1998); and a real man who believed he was always on TV in Man on the Moon (1999).
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On 29 August 2014, Jim Carrey appeared on one of five Canadian stamps honoring Great Canadian Comedians, shown in a main portrait and as Ace Ventura, Stanley Ipkiss from The Mask (1994) and Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber (1994); the others honored were Mike Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Oliver Guimond, and each stamp cost 85 cents on the day of issue.
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All three of Jim Carrey's 1994 films, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994) and Dumb and Dumber (1994), became Saturday-morning cartoons in 1995, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995), The Mask (1995) and Dumb and Dumber (1995), but only Ace Ventura secured the rights to make the character look like Carrey.
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Production Story (29)
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He auditioned to join the cast of Saturday Night Live (1975) for its 1980-81 season but lost out to Charles Rocket (his future Dumb and Dumber (1994) co-star). He tried again for the 1985-1986 season, but seeing a man on a ledge of the 30 Rock building threatening to jump made him fear that working on SNL would drive him to suicide. Both seasons are considered among the show's worst.
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Behind the Scenes (104)
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As a child, he would wear his shoes to bed in case his family needed cheering up at midnight. This habit reveals his instinct to make others happy from an early age and his devotion to his family. During the periods when his family was going through hard times, this innocent gesture was a beacon of hope for him.
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He has said that his painfully shy, heartbroken character Joel in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) is closer to who he is when he is not "on stage." Making this film led him to question his past relationships and why they did not work. With this role, Carrey once again proved that there is a deep emotionality behind the comedy mask.
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He was a straight-A student until he dropped out of school. This achievement shows his intelligence and capacity for learning. However, he had to leave his education unfinished because of his family's financial difficulties. This experience shaped his outlook on life and his passion for comedy.
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In the 1980s, while struggling to make a living as a comedian, he fell into depression. This period was the darkest time of his career. Yet these hardships made him even stronger and laid the foundation for his future successes. His struggle with depression lays bare his human side and his inner battle.
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According to Biography, in 1983 Jim wrote himself a check for 10 million dollars, dated it ten years into the future and hoped to cash it by then. This check symbolizes his belief in his dreams and his perseverance. After his father died on September 13, 1994, Jim placed the check in his father's pocket. This act shows his love for his father and the respect he holds for his memory.
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At one point he worked as a janitor and security guard at a factory alongside his family. This difficult period reveals his devotion to his family and his resilience. The time he spent with his family recalls his humble origins and his struggle to survive. These experiences formed the foundation of his comedy.
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He performed his first stand-up show (with disastrous results) in a yellow suit and tailcoat similar to the one he would later wear in The Mask (1994), made by his mother. This show was the beginning of his effort to overcome his stage fright and win over the audience. His mother's support increased his courage and laid the foundation for his future performances.
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He was initially cast as "Dr. Evil" in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), but had to leave the role due to a scheduling conflict with Liar Liar (1997). This conflict was an important turning point in his career. The role of Dr. Evil ultimately went to Mike Myers, and Carrey achieved great success with Liar Liar.
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He had never heard anything about Doctor Who (1963) until he was offered the role of the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who: The Movie (1996). This was a key factor in his turning down the role, because he thought fans would react badly if the part were not played by a Doctor Who fan. This decision shows his respect for fan culture and his honesty.
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He was considered for the roles of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) and Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005); both roles ultimately went to Johnny Depp. Although these roles are seen as missed opportunities in Carrey's career, they show his ability to adapt to different characters. Depp's performances proved how iconic these roles could be.
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In 1996, he became the first actor to reach the $20 million salary mark (for The Cable Guy (1996)). Four years later, Julia Roberts became the first female actor to reach the same record, earning the same fee for Erin Brockovich (2000). This record was one of the high points of Carrey's career.
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To cope with his depression, Carrey took Prozac and eventually decided to stop taking medication. He stated that he now takes no medication or stimulants, including coffee. This decision shows the importance he places on his mental health and his effort to heal through natural means. Carrey's openness gives hope to those struggling with depression.
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When his daughter Jane Carrey gave birth to his grandson Jackson Riley Santana on February 26, 2010, he became a grandfather for the first time at the age of 48. The child's father is the singer Alex Santana. This event marked the beginning of a new period in Carrey's family life. Becoming a grandfather added new joy and responsibility to his life.
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In 2007, he turned down an offer to induct Jerry Lawler into the WWE Hall of Fame, because he believed the audience would come to the ceremony to see him rather than the legends being honored that night. This decision shows his modesty and his desire to put others in the spotlight. Carrey felt his own popularity should not overshadow the purpose of the ceremony.
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When his first wife, Melissa Carrey, gave birth to their daughter Jane Carrey on September 6, 1987, he became a father for the first time at the age of 25. This early fatherhood was an important turning point in his life. Jane's birth increased Carrey's responsibilities and gave him a new perspective.
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Before Martin Scorsese's The Aviator (2004), he spent years trying to make a film in which he himself would play the life of Howard Hughes. This project shows his passion and ambition. However, the project did not come to fruition and the role eventually went to Leonardo DiCaprio. This effort of Carrey's reveals his interest in serious dramatic roles.
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He auditioned for the cast of Saturday Night Live (1975) for the 1980-81 season, but lost the role to Charles Rocket (with whom he would later appear in Dumb and Dumber (1994)). He tried again for the 1985-1986 season, but Carrey saw a man on the ledge of the 30 Rock building threatening to kill himself and feared that working at SNL would drive him to suicide. Both seasons are considered among the worst in the show's history. These experiences show the obstacles in his career and his inner fears.
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He auditioned for the role of Farmer Ted in Sixteen Candles (1984). Anthony Michael Hall ultimately won the part. He was later considered for the lead role in Edward Scissorhands (1990), in which Hall played the villain. Though these roles are seen as missed opportunities in his career, they demonstrate his ability to adapt to different characters.
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He is of French-Canadian descent on his father's side and has French, Irish and Scottish ancestry on his mother's side. The family surname was originally "Carré." These origins show his cultural diversity and the richness of his identity. The change of surname was part of his family's process of adapting to life in America.
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He has played an unusual character in many films in which television plays a vital role. In Batman Forever (1995), he played the Riddler, who devises a grand plan to hypnotize the population and drain information using television. In The Cable Guy (1996), he played a cable TV technician with an unhealthy lifelong obsession with television. In The Truman Show (1998), he played a man who discovers that his entire life is a highly successful reality TV show. In Man on the Moon (1999), he played a real man who believed he was always on television.
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He was initially offered the lead role in The Master of Disguise (2002). The offer shows that his comedic talent was appreciated. However, the project did not take a significant place in his career, and the role ultimately went to Dana Carvey. Carrey's turning down the role shows that he is selective and manages his career carefully.
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He is a lifelong fan of the Pink Panther film series, particularly of Cato (played by Burt Kwouk), Inspector Clouseau's house servant. This admiration shows his respect for classic comedy and his sense of humor. The character of Cato may have influenced Carrey's understanding of physical comedy.
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(24.06.99) During the filming of Me, Myself & Irene (2000), he and the production team attended a private Phish concert at the guitarist/vocalist's home at Careystock in Vermont. There he sang two songs with Phish: "Hey You" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive and "Come Together" by The Beatles. This moment shows his connection to music and his fondness for fun. Carrey's performance here displays his versatile talents.
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While filming Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), it took about two and a half hours for him and his co-stars Jeff Goldblum and Damon Wayans to put on their alien costumes. The process shows his patience and dedication to his role. Although this film was not a significant step in his career, it broadened his experience in different genres.
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Most of his characters are ordinary men whose lives are changed by supernatural or otherwise unseen forces. Examples include The Mask (1994) (Ipkiss finds the mask), The Majestic (2001) (Appleton is unlucky and suffers amnesia), Liar Liar (1997) (his son's birthday wish comes true), Bruce Almighty (2003) (divine intervention), The Truman Show (1998) (he discovers his life is a TV show) and so on. This theme recurs frequently in his filmography and shows his ability to tell stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary situations.
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On August 29, 2014, he was depicted on one of five commemorative Canadian postage stamps honoring Great Canadian Comedians. In addition to the main portrait, he is shown as Ace Ventura, Stanley Ipkiss from The Mask (1994) and Lloyd Christmas from Dumb and Dumber (1994). The others honored in this set are Mike Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Oliver Guimond. The stamp cost 85 cents on the day it was issued. This honor was a recognition of his contributions to Canada's cultural heritage.
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As of 2009, he is one of six performers to have won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama for the same role without being nominated for an Oscar for it (for The Truman Show (1998)). The others are Spencer Tracy (The Actress (1953)), Anthony Franciosa (Career (1959)), Omar Sharif (Doctor Zhivago (1965)), Shirley MacLaine (Madame Sousatzka (1988)) and Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road (2008)).
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As part of Toy Mountain Campaign 2004, he donated a signed headshot to Rocky Stone to be sold at auction to raise money to buy more toys for less fortunate children. This donation shows his philanthropy and his sensitivity to the community. By taking part in such campaigns, Carrey does not neglect to support those in need.
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Along with Jeff Goldblum and Damon Wayans, his voice was dubbed in some scenes of Earth Girls Are Easy (1988). This dubbing shows the difficulties during the film's production and why the actors' voices were changed. This situation points to the technical problems he faced early in his career.
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In The Truman Show (1998) he played a (fictional) man who is (not yet) aware that he is on television, and in Man on the Moon (1999) he played a real man who believes he is always on television. These two roles show his ability to explore the fine line between television and reality. With these performances, Carrey makes viewers think about the nature of media.
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When the script first emerged, he was planned to star in Elf (2003) in 1993. This project could have been an important opportunity in his career, but it did not happen. The role of Elf eventually went to Will Ferrell, and the film became a great success. Carrey missing out on this role was one of the turning points in his career.
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In 1994, he became the first actor to have three films that were number one at the box office in the same year (Ace Ventura, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber). This success marks one of the brightest periods of his career. These three films represent the peak of his comedy style and made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after stars.
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All three of his 1994 films (Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994) and Dumb and Dumber (1994)) were adapted into Saturday-morning cartoons in 1995: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995), The Mask (1995) and Dumb and Dumber (1995). Of these, only Ace Ventura was able to secure the rights to make the character resemble Carrey.
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At the time of writer Douglas Adams's death in 2001, he was nearly ready to play Zaphod Beeblebrox in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005). The project took another four years to make, with a new script, a new director and eventually a new cast. The role of Zaphod Beeblebrox went to Sam Rockwell.
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His lead (or villain) roles are often associated with the color green: The Mask (1994), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), the "Riddler" in Batman Forever (1995), the 'Mr. Red Green' nickname in Fun with Dick and Jane (2005). The Red Green reference in Fun With Dick and Jane may be a nod to a Canadian comedy, The Red Green Show (1991).
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Characters & Cast (18)
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Contains a major spoiler — show
His character Brad Peters turned out to be the final murder victim in the 1989 CBS TV film Mike Hammer: Murder Takes All (1989), killed off screen by Helen Durant (Lynda Carter); the film's other notable victims were Johnny Roman (Edward Winter), Barbara Leguire (Kelly Jerles), Bundy (Royce D. Applegate), Leora van Treas (Michelle Phillips), Reggie Diaz (Lyle Alzado), John McNiece (Jessie Lawrence Ferguson) and Carl Durant (John Calvin).
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Jim Carrey auditioned for Saturday Night Live (1975) for the 1980-81 season but lost out to Charles Rocket (later his co-star in Dumb and Dumber (1994)); he tried again for 1985-1986, but seeing a man on a ledge of the 30 Rock building threatening suicide made him fear SNL would drive him to it. Both seasons are considered among the show's worst.
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Easter Eggs & References (2)
Deeper Meaning (9)
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His heroes (or villains) are often linked to the color green: The Mask (1994), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), "The Riddler" in Batman Forever (1995) and the alias 'Mr. Red Green' in Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), which may have been a nod to the Canadian comedy The Red Green Show (1991).
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Many of his characters are ordinary men whose lives are turned around by supernatural or unseen forces: The Mask (1994) (Ipkiss happens to find the mask), The Majestic (2001) (Appleton has bad luck and amnesia), Liar Liar (1997) (his son's birthday wish comes true), Bruce Almighty (2003) (divine intervention), The Truman Show (1998) (he finds his life is a TV show) and so on.
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In several films he has played an extraordinary character for whom TV is crucial: the Riddler in Batman Forever (1995), who plots to hypnotize the population and absorb its knowledge through TV; a cable TV technician with a lifelong unhealthy TV obsession in The Cable Guy (1996); a man who discovers his whole life has been a hugely successful reality show in The Truman Show (1998); TV comedy star Andy Kaufman, who pushed the medium's limits, in Man on the Moon (1999); and a TV reporter suddenly granted God's powers in Bruce Almighty (2003).
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Career & Awards (74)
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As of 2009, he was one of only six performers to win the Golden Globe for Best Lead Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture Drama without an Oscar nomination for the same role (his for The Truman Show (1998)); the others are Spencer Tracy in The Actress (1953), Anthony Franciosa in Career (1959), Omar Sharif in Doctor Zhivago (1965), Shirley MacLaine for Madame Sousatzka (1988) and Kate Winslet in Revolutionary Road (2008).
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As of 2024, Jim Carrey is the only actor (male or female) to win Golden Globes for Best Actor in both the drama and comedy/musical categories without an Oscar nomination, winning Best Actor (Drama) for The Truman Show (1998) and Best Actor (Comedy/Musical) for Man on the Moon (1999); he's also the only actor (male or female) to win a lead drama Golden Globe without an Oscar nomination.
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All three of his 1994 films, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994) and Dumb and Dumber (1994), became Saturday morning cartoons in 1995, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1995), The Mask (1995) and Dumb and Dumber (1995), but only Ace Ventura secured the rights to make the character look like Carrey.
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He's pictured on one of a set of five nondenominated Canadian stamps honoring Great Canadian Comedians, issued 29 August 2014, shown in a main portrait and as Ace Ventura, Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask (1994) and Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber (1994); the others honored are Mike Myers, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short and Oliver Guimond, and each stamp cost 85¢ on the day of issue.
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In a 2007 Hamilton Spectator interview, Jim Carrey said that if show business hadn't worked out he'd probably be working at the Dofasco steel mill in Hamilton, Ontario, recalling that as a young man he could see the mills across Burlington Bay and thought that's where the great jobs were.
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As of 2024, Jim Carrey is the only actor (male or female) to win Golden Globes for Best Actor in both drama and comedy/musical without ever being Oscar-nominated, winning Best Actor (Drama) for The Truman Show (1998) and Best Actor (Comedy/Musical) for Man on the Moon (1999); he's also the only actor (male or female) to win a lead drama Golden Globe without an Oscar nomination.
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As of 2009, Jim Carrey was one of six performers to win the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama without an Oscar nomination for the same role, for The Truman Show (1998), the others being Spencer Tracy (The Actress (1953)), Anthony Franciosa (Career (1959)), Omar Sharif (Doctor Zhivago (1965)), Shirley MacLaine (Madame Sousatzka (1988)) and Kate Winslet (Revolutionary Road (2008)).
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Life & Family (68)
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According to Biography, Jim wrote himself a $10 million check in 1983, post-dated ten years, hoping he could cash it by then; the episode included a clip from a 1999 interview in which he said he put the check in his father's pocket after he died on September 13, 1994. [October 13, 2010].
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(1/30/03) Melissa Carrey filed papers in Los Angeles Superior Court asking for more child support, saying $10,000 a month "is not sufficient" for the needs of their 15-year-old daughter, Jane Carrey, who wants to pursue a career in entertainment; a hearing on the request is set for April 21.
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Many of Jim Carrey's characters are ordinary men whose lives are changed by supernatural or unseen forces: in The Mask (1994), Ipkiss finds the mask; in The Majestic (2001), Appleton is unlucky and loses his memory; in Liar Liar (1997), his son's birthday wish comes true; Bruce Almighty (2003) involves divine intervention; and in The Truman Show (1998), he discovers his life is a TV show.
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Jim Carrey's heroes (and villains) are often linked to the color green: The Mask (1994), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), the "Riddler" in Batman Forever (1995) and the 'Mr. Red Green' alias in Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), which may be a nod to the Canadian comedy The Red Green Show (1991).
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