Jim Carrey is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and producer. He is known for his energetic and eccentric performances in films such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), The Mask (1994), Dumb and Dumber (1994), Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), The Cable Guy (1996), Liar Liar (1997), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), and A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004). Carrey has also been in several dramatic films, such as The Truman Show (1998), Man on the Moon (1999), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and Kick-Ass 2 (2013).
Carrey first gained recognition in America in 1990 after landing a recurring role in the sketch comedy television series In Living Color. His first leading roles in major films came with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994), Dumb and Dumber (1994), The Mask (1994), and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), as well as a supporting role in Batman Forever (1995) and Liar Liar (1997). He also gained critical acclaim for his dramatic portrayal of the tragic comedian Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon (1999), for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.
In the 2000s, Carrey starred in several successful films, including How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Bruce Almighty (2003), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), Yes Man (2008), Horton Hears a Who! (2008), A Christmas Carol (2009), Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011), and Dumb and Dumber To (2014). He also voiced the title character in the animated film Horton Hears a Who! (2008).
Carrey has received five Golden Globe Award nominations, winning two. He also received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Comedy Album for his work on The Dana Carvey Show (1996) and Saturday Night Live (1996).
Table of Contents:
1. Early Life and Career
2. Breakthrough with In Living Color
3. Ace Ventura and The Mask
4. Critical Acclaim
5. Commercial Success
6. Later Projects
7. Personal Life
8. Legal Issues
9. Jim Carrey Quotes
- Early Life and Career
Jim Carrey was born on January 17, 1962, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, the son of Kathleen (née Oram), a homemaker, and Percy Carrey, a musician and accountant. He has three older siblings, John, Patricia, and Rita. His mother was of French, Irish, and Scottish descent and his father was of French-Canadian ancestry.
Carrey was raised a Roman Catholic and attended Aldershot High School. When he was 10 years old, his parents divorced and Carrey moved with his mother and siblings to Scarborough, Ontario. He attended Blessed Trinity Catholic School for two years. During his time at Blessed Trinity, he developed his gift for comedy.
After high school, Carrey moved to Toronto to pursue his comedy career. He began performing at various comedy clubs, including Yuk Yuk’s. He eventually dropped out of school to focus on his stand-up comedy.
In 1980, Carrey was hired as a cast member on the sketch comedy television series In Living Color. He was fired from the show after one season but was later rehired as a writer.
Carrey’s film debut came in 1983 with the Canadian film Rubble Kings. He also had supporting roles in the films Once Bitten (1985) and Finders Keepers (1984).
- Breakthrough with In Living Color
In 1990, Carrey landed a recurring role on the sketch comedy television series In Living Color. The show was a hit and helped Carrey gain a wider audience. He became known for his energetic and eccentric performances.
In 1992, Carrey co-starred in the comedy film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $100 million at the box office.
The following year, Carrey starred in the comedy film Dumb and Dumber. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $247 million at the box office.
In 1994, Carrey starred in the comedy film The Mask. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $351 million at the box office.
- Ace Ventura and The Mask
In 1995, Carrey starred in the sequel to Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $212 million at the box office.
The following year, Carrey starred in the superhero film Batman Forever. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $336 million at the box office.
In 1997, Carrey starred in the comedy film Liar Liar. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $287 million at the box office.
- Critical Acclaim
In 1998, Carrey starred in the drama film The Truman Show. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $264 million at the box office. Carrey’s performance in the film earned him his first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor.
The following year, Carrey starred in the biopic Man on the Moon. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $127 million at the box office. Carrey’s performance in the film earned him his second Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor.
In 2000, Carrey starred in the holiday film How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $345 million at the box office.
- Commercial Success
In 2003, Carrey starred in the comedy film Bruce Almighty. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $484 million at the box office.
The following year, Carrey starred in the science fiction film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $72 million at the box office.
In 2004, Carrey starred in the comedy film Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $209 million at the box office.
- Later Projects
In 2005, Carrey starred in the comedy film Fun with Dick and Jane. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $202 million at the box office.
In 2008, Carrey starred in the comedy films Yes Man and Horton Hears a Who!. The former was a commercial success, grossing over $223 million at the box office. The latter was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $154 million at the box office.
In 2009, Carrey starred in the animated film A Christmas Carol. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $325 million at the box office.
In 2011, Carrey starred in the comedy film Mr. Popper’s Penguins. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $187 million at the box office.
In 2014, Carrey starred in the comedy film Dumb and Dumber To. The film was a commercial success, grossing over $169 million at the box office.
- Personal Life
Carrey has been married twice. His first marriage was to actress Lauren Holly from 1996 to 1997. His second marriage was to makeup artist Jenny McCarthy from 2005 to 2010. He has three children: daughter Jane, and sons Jackson and Truman.
Carrey is a vegan and an outspoken advocate for animal rights. He is also a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has granted over 200 wishes.
- Legal Issues
In 2000, Carrey was sued by former girlfriend Cathriona White for allegedly exposing her to sexually transmitted diseases. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
In 2013, Carrey was sued by the parents of his former girlfriend Cathriona White for allegedly supplying her with the drugs that led to her suicide. The case was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
Jim Carrey Quotes
“I can tell you from experience, the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.” – Jim Carrey
“If the world is going crazy, I’ll be calm; and if they’re calm, I’ll be the one hanging off the chandelier.” – Jim Carrey
“The imagination is always manufacturing scenarios, both good and bad, and the ego tries to keep you trapped in the multiplex of the mind.” – Jim Carrey
“Thought is responsible for most, if not all of the suffering we experience.” – Jim Carrey
“I wondered ‘who is it that’s aware that I am thinking?’ And suddenly I was thrown into this expansive, amazing feeling of freedom, from myself, from my problems. I saw that I was bigger than what I do, I was bigger than my body, and I was everything and everyone. I was no longer a fragment of the Universe, I was the Universe.” – Jim Carrey
“I don’t care if people think I am an over-actor, as long as they enjoy what I do. People who think that would call Van Gogh an over-painter.” – Jim Carrey
“People need motivation to do anything. I don’t think human beings learn anything without desperation.” – Jim Carrey
“So many of us choose our path out of fear disguised as practicality. What we really want seems impossibly out of reach and ridiculous to expect so we never dare to ask the Universe for it. I’m saying, I’m the proof, that you can ask the Universe for it.” – Jim Carrey
“Everyone is looking for God; everyone is God.” – Jim Carrey
“The safe road is going to pay off, there are many payoffs to it but I can’t be there and have my soul be on a completely different track. It’s always worth losing to me. It’s always worth risking.” – Jim Carrey
“I think everybody’s looking for something that they already have.” – Jim Carrey
“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.” – Jim Carrey
“Once you realize that you’re complete then this life and everything in it becomes a play of form, something to toy with and play with and make something good out of. It isn’t something to be worried about; it’s to have fun with.” – Jim Carrey
“I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so that I can deal with them in the most productive way.” – Jim Carrey
“There is just a relative manifestation of consciousness appearing and then somebody gave him a bunch of ideas, they gave him a name, a religion, and a nationality and he clustered those together into something that’s supposed to be a personality and it doesn’t actually exist. None of that stuff if you drill down is real.” – Jim Carrey
“Fear is going to be a player in your life but you get to decide how much.” – Jim Carrey
“In the circle of people I know and know my work it seems like people are almost waiting for it; that they’ve suspected that there’s another level to me and they’re kind of intrigued and interested in what that might be.” – Jim Carrey
“Everything is Devine. There is no thing that isn’t Devine and I am that.” – Jim Carrey
“Relax and dream up a good life.” – Jim Carrey
“I’m addicted to expressing myself in certain ways and I have to do it and I would do it if I was making 20 cents.” – Jim Carrey
“I want to be the greatest actor that ever lived, frankly. I’d love that. But I don’t need to be. I just want to be here. That’s it.” – Jim Carrey
“Our intention is everything, nothing happens on this planet without it. Not one single thing has ever been accomplished without intention.” – Jim Carrey
“For me, living in this world will always be a game, the object of which, is to create as much goodwill as possible.” – Jim Carrey
“You can fail at what you don’t love, so you might as well do what you love. There really is no choice to be made.” – Jim Carrey
“You’re on a spiritual journey, period, and we’re all going to end up in the same place if there is such a thing.” – Jim Carrey
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they dreamed of so that they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey
“There is a huge difference between a dog that is going to eat you in your mind and an actual dog that’s going to eat you.” – Jim Carrey
“Everything you gain in life will rot and fall apart and all that will be left of you is what was in your heart. – Jim Carrey
“Thought is just an illusory thing.” – Jim Carrey
“Your job is not to figure out how it’s going to happen for you but to open the door in your head and when the door opens in real life just walk through it.” – Jim Carrey
“I use to be a guy that was experiencing the world and now I feel like the world and the Universe experiencing a guy.” – Jim Carrey
“You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” – Jim Carrey
“I did something that made people present their best selves to me wherever I go.” – Jim Carrey
“I believe in manifestation; I believe in putting a rocket of desire out into the Universe and you get it when you believe it.” – Jim Carrey
“The happy place is realizing that you are everything and that there’s no real you involved in the first place.” – Jim Carrey
“Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” – Jim Carrey
“Take advantage of the opportunities that come around and have the courage to jump in.” – Jim Carrey
“You are never getting too old to learn something new.” – Jim Carrey
“We are already enlightened, we are already complete and it’s just realizing that you are complete. Once you realize that you’re complete, then this life and everything in it becomes a play of form, something to toy with and make something good out of.” – Jim Carrey
“You have to allow yourself to be seen that’s the risk.” – Jim Carrey
“You can fail at what you don’t love, so you might as well do what you love. There really is no choice to be made.” – Jim Carrey
“I just want to be myself.” – Jim Carrey
“My soul is not contained within the limits of my body; my body is contained within the limitlessness of my soul.” – Jim Carrey
“You are the vanguard of knowledge and consciousness. A new wave in a vast ocean of possibilities.” – Jim Carrey
“Take advantage of the opportunities that come around and have the courage to jump in.” – Jim Carrey
“I use to believe that who I was ended at the edge of my skin. That I had been given this little vehicle called a body to which experience creation but then I learned that everything outside the vehicle was part of me too, and now I drive a convertible.” – Jim Carrey
“I really believe in the philosophy that you create your own Universe. I’m just trying to create a good one for myself.” – Jim Carrey
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” – Jim Carrey
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they dreamed of so that they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey
“When you create yourself to make it, you’re going to have to either let that creation go and take a chance on being loved or hated for who you really are. Or you’re going to have to kill who you really are and fall into your grave grasping onto a character that you never were.” – Jim Carrey
“There’s nothing you need there’s just play. Nothing you do is going to add anything to you and nothing you do is going to take anything away from you, there really is nothing to do except play.” – Jim Carrey
“The guy who’s afraid of loss is always a dangerous character.” – Jim Carrey
“I wake up some mornings and sit and have my coffee and look out at my beautiful garden, and I go, ’remember how good this is because you can lose it.” – Jim Carrey
“On the other side of that door there’s a world starving for new ideas and new leadership.” – Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey Quotes Relax and dream up a good life
“I accept the fact that I fail because I know that that’s the way it’s supposed to be.” – Jim Carrey
“It looks great when you’ve got a cool car and you’ve got nice clothes and you’ve done something that people admire but it’s not where happiness comes from.” – Jim Carrey
“There is so much in the Universe, we all can feed from it; there is enough for everybody.” – Jim Carrey
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” – Jim Carrey
“People are depressed because they are trying to be something for the world and as soon as you let that go better things happen.” – Jim Carrey
“You go to the office and you put a monkey suit on and you act a certain way and you say a certain thing and you lie through your teeth at times and you do whatever you need to do to look like a winner and at some point in your life you have to say I don’t care what it looks like and I’m going to face the abyss of not knowing whether that’s going to be ok with everybody or not.” – Jim Carrey
“The happy place is realizing that you are everything and that there is no real you involved in the first place.” – Jim Carrey
“Faith in myself and faith in the Universe; that’s all I have.” – Jim Carrey
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they dreamed of so that they can see that it’s not the answer.” – Jim Carrey
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through this form. Risk being seen in all of your glory.” – Jim Carrey
“Since very early in my memory, the real thrill in my life wasn’t personal recognition, as much as knowing that I could affect people in a positive way and have fun doing it.” – Jim Carrey
“From a very young age I wanted to convince them that I was a miracle and then I wanted to convince the world that I was a miracle, and now I want to convince the world that I’m just like them.” – Jim Carrey
“Depression only happens when you’re playing a character.” – Jim Carrey
“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.” – Jim Carrey
“I have an insane belief in my own ability to manifest things. I believe we’re creators and I believe we create with every thought and every word. Every moment is pregnant with the next moment of your life.” – Jim Carrey
“I realized that the purpose of my life had always been to free people from concern.” – Jim Carrey
“We are not the avatars we create. We are not the pictures on the film stock. We are the light that shines through. All else is just smoke and mirrors. Distracting, but not truly compelling.” – Jim Carrey
“No matter what you gain ego will not let you rest. It will tell you that you cannot stop until you’ve left an indelible mark on the Earth until you’ve achieved immortality. How tricky is this ego that it would tempt us with a promise of something we already possess.” – Jim Carrey
“You have to allow yourself to be seen, that’s the risk.” – Jim Carrey
“People are depressed because they are trying to be something for the world and as soon as you let that go better things happen.” – Jim Carrey
“I felt a need to make them feel that their life was worthwhile. That they did something special just by the very fact that they brought me into the world.” – Jim Carrey
“I was concerned about going out into the world and doing something bigger than myself, until someone smarter than myself, made me realize that there is nothing bigger than myself.” – Jim Carrey
“I tend to stay up late, not because I’m partying but because it’s the only time of the day when I’m alone and don’t have to be performing.” – Jim Carrey
“A better U means a better Universe.” – Jim Carrey
“We are already enlightened, we are already complete, and it’s just realizing that you are complete.” – Jim Carrey
“Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you.” – Jim Carrey
“I’m excited about always changing.” – Jim Carrey
“Life is an ordeal, albeit an exciting one, but I wouldn’t trade it for the good old days of poverty and obscurity.” – Jim Carrey
“I wanted my mother to realize that her life was worth something because she gave birth to someone who was worth something.” – Jim Carrey
“My focus is to forget the pain of life. Forget the pain, mock the pain, reduce it. And laugh.” – Jim Carrey
“Relax and dream up a good life.” – Jim Carrey
“Our eyes are not viewers; they are also projectors that are running a second story over the picture that we see in front of us all the time. Fear is writing that script, and the working title is: ‘I’ll never be enough.’ I’m just making a conscious choice to perceive challenges as something beneficial so that I can deal with them in the most productive way.” – Jim Carrey
“The feeling of wholeness is a different feeling than me’ness.” – Jim Carrey
“Ego tries to convince us that we need to get something, this immortality, that we already possess. Ego is that voice in your head that says you’re not as good as that other person maybe you need to do something else to make yourself better to add to yourself. That’s what it’s constantly doing; it’s trying to keep you from being you and me right now loving this and loving this life.” – Jim Carrey
“Everything we do to each other or everything we see in each other is us seeing ourselves.” – Jim Carrey
“If you aren’t in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back to pain and regret.” – Jim Carrey
“I can tell you from experience, the effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.” – Jim Carrey
“Who is it that is aware that I’m thinking?” – Jim Carrey
“Take a chance on faith, not hope. I don’t believe in hope, hope is a beggar. Hope walks net through the fire and faith leaps over it.” – Jim Carrey
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