Jim Carrey was born on January 17, 1962, in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. He began his career as a stand-up comedian in the 1980s before transitioning to acting. His breakthrough came in 1990 with the sketch comedy show “In Living Color,” where he gained popularity for his memorable characters and impressions.
Carrey then went on to star in a series of successful movies in the 1990s, including “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” “The Mask,” “Dumb and Dumber,” and “Liar Liar.” He is known for his energetic and zany performances, often involving physical comedy and over-the-top facial expressions.
Throughout his career, Carrey has received numerous awards and nominations, including two Golden Globe Awards for his roles in “The Truman Show” and “Man on the Moon.” He has also been recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including his support for various charities and environmental causes.
In recent years, Carrey has been more selective about his acting roles and has focused more on his art and writing. He published a memoir, “Memoirs and Misinformation,” in 2020, which was co-written with Dana Vachon.
- The Majestic (2001)- “The Majestic” is a 2001 American drama film directed and produced by Frank Darabont. The film stars Jim Carrey as Peter Appleton, a Hollywood screenwriter who is blacklisted during the McCarthy era of the 1950s.
The story begins with Appleton being involved in a car accident and suffering from amnesia. He is found by the residents of a small town called Lawson, who mistake him for one of their own, a World War II veteran named Luke Trimble, who was presumed dead. Appleton gradually becomes a part of the town and falls in love with a young woman named Adele Stanton, played by Laurie Holden.
As Appleton’s memory slowly returns, he discovers the truth about his past and the reason for his blacklisting. He decides to use his talent as a writer to expose the corruption of the McCarthy era and make a stand for his principles.
- Dumb and Dumber (1994)- “Dumb and Dumber” is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Peter Farrelly and starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. The film tells the story of Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels), two good-hearted but dim-witted best friends who embark on a road trip from Rhode Island to Colorado to return a briefcase full of money to its owner.
- Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)- “Peggy Sue Got Married” is a 1986 American comedy-drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Kathleen Turner in the title role. The film tells the story of Peggy Sue Bodell, a middle-aged woman who faints at her high school reunion and wakes up back in time, as a 17-year-old student in 1960.
As Peggy Sue navigates the challenges of her teenage years with her future knowledge, she reflects on her life and her relationship with her husband, Charlie, played by Nicholas Cage. Peggy Sue’s experiences lead her to reassess her choices and consider changing her future.
- The Mask (1994)- “The Mask” is a 1994 American superhero comedy film directed by Chuck Russell and starring Jim Carrey in the title role. The film is based on a comic book series of the same name published by Dark Horse Comics.
In the film, Carrey plays Stanley Iip Kiss, a mild-mannered bank clerk who discovers a magical mask that gives him superhuman abilities and transforms him into a wild and unpredictable character known as The Mask. The film follows Stanley’s transformation as he uses his newfound powers to thwart a gang of criminals and win the heart of a beautiful singer named Tina Carlyle, played by Cameron Diaz in her feature film debut.
- Liar Liar (1997)- “Liar Liar” is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey in the lead role. The film tells the story of Fletcher Reede, a fast-talking lawyer who constantly breaks promises to his young son, Max, played by Justin Cooper. One day, Max makes a birthday wish that his father would have to tell the truth for an entire day, and to Max’s surprise, the wish comes true.
Fletcher’s inability to tell a lie creates chaos in both his personal and professional life as he struggles to win a high-profile case and mend his relationship with his ex-wife, Audrey, played by Maura Tierney.
- Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)- “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” is a 1994 American comedy film directed by Tom Shadyac and starring Jim Carrey in the lead role. The film follows the eccentric and highly unconventional detective Ace Ventura, who specializes in finding lost or stolen pets.
When the Miami Dolphins’ mascot, a dolphin named Snowflake, is kidnapped, Ace is hired to find and return the animal. Ace’s investigation leads him to uncover a plot to harm Snowflake and ultimately save the day.
- Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)- “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” is a 2004 American dark comedy film directed by Brad Silberling and based on the popular children’s book series of the same name by author Daniel Handler, who writes under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. The film follows the tragic story of the three Baudelaire siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, who are orphaned after their parents are killed in a fire and are sent to live with their distant relative Count Olaf, played by Jim Carrey.
Count Olaf is a scheming and devious actor who wants to get his hands on the Baudelaire family fortune, and the siblings must use their intelligence and resourcefulness to thwart his plans and uncover the truth about their parent’s deaths.
- Man on the Moon (1999)- “Man on the Moon” is a 1999 biographical comedy-drama film directed by Miloš Forman and starring Jim Carrey in the lead role. The film tells the story of the late comedian Andy Kaufman, who was known for his unique and often controversial approach to comedy.
The film covers Kaufman’s life and career, from his early days performing in comedy clubs to his rise to fame on television shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “Taxi.” The film also explores Kaufman’s fascination with performance art and his alter ego, the lounge singer Tony Clifton.
Carrey’s performance as Kaufman was widely praised, with many critics noting his dedication to the role and his uncanny ability to capture Kaufman’s unique comedic style. The film also stars Danny DeVito as Kaufman’s longtime friend and collaborator, George Shapiro, and Courtney Love as Kaufman’s girlfriend, Lynne Margulies.
- The Truman Show (1998)- “The Truman Show” is a 1998 American satirical science-fiction drama film directed by Peter Weir and starring Jim Carrey in the lead role. The film follows Truman Burbank, a man who is unaware that his entire life is a television show, and his every move is being filmed and broadcast to the world.
Truman has been living in a giant dome constructed to simulate a town called Seahaven, where everyone he knows, including his family and friends, are actors. As he begins to notice inconsistencies in his life and becomes more suspicious, Truman tries to unravel the truth about his existence.
- Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)- “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is a 2004 American romantic science-fiction film directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as Joel and Clementine, two former lovers who undergo a procedure to erase their memories of each other after a painful breakup.
The film explores themes of memory, love, and relationships, and is known for its nonlinear storytelling and unconventional approach to the romantic comedy genre. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress for Winslet, and Best Editing.