James Eugene Carrey (born January 17, 1962)is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Known for his energetic slapstick performances,Carrey first gained recognition in 1990, after landing a recurring role in the American sketch comedy television series In Living Color (1990–1994). He broke out as star in motion pictures with Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber (all 1994). This was followed up with Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, Batman Forever (both 1995), and Liar Liar (1997).
In the 2000s, he gained further notice for his portrayal of the Grinch in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and for the comedy Me, Myself & Irene (both in 2000), as well as Bruce Almighty (2003), Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), Fun with Dick and Jane (2005), Yes Man, Horton Hears a Who! (both 2008), and A Christmas Carol (2009). In the 2010s, Carrey appeared in the films Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011), The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Kick-Ass 2 (both 2013), Dumb and Dumber To (2014) and portrayed Leap Day William in the sitcom 30 Rock (2012). In 2020, he portrayed Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog and Joe Biden in six episodes of Saturday Night Live in the lead up to the 2020 United States presidential election.
Although largely typecast as a comedic actor, Carrey has had success in dramatic roles. His first dramatic success was for starring in the Emmy-nominated made-for-television film Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992). Carrey gained attention for his leading roles in The Truman Show (1998) and Man on the Moon (1999), earning Golden Globe Awards for each film. He later starred in the psychological science fiction romantic drama film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), this performance is repeatedly lauded as one of the most important and seminal in Carrey’s career and for which he was nominated for both the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role and another Golden Globe Award. He was also praised for his dramatic role of Jeff Piccirillo in the Showtime tragicomedy series Kidding, for which he was nominated for another Golden Globe. The Guardian named him one of the best actors never to have received an Academy Award nomination.
In 2013, Carrey published his first book, a children’s story, entitled How Roland Rolls; the book was awarded a 2013 Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award. In 2020, Carrey published his first novel, Memoirs and Misinformation, which he co-authored with Dana Vachon.
“The effect you have on others is the most valuable currency there is.”—Jim Carrey
“I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so 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
“Behind every great man there is a woman rolling her eyes.”—Jim Carrey
“As far as I can tell, it’s just about letting the universe know what you want and then working toward it while letting go of how it comes to pass.”—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
“You know the trouble with real life? There’s no danger music.”—Jim Carrey
“Choose love, and don’t ever let fear turn you against your playful heart.”—Jim Carrey
“Remember how good this is. Because you can lose it.”—Jim Carrey
“It’s Better to Fail at What You Love Than Fail at What You Don’t.”—Jim Carrey
“It is better to risk starving to death then surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what’s left?”—Jim Carrey
“I feel that we’re all lighthouses, and my job is to shine my light as brightly as I can to the darkness.”—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
“Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world.”—Jim Carrey
“Life doesn’t happen to you. It happens for you.”—Jim Carrey
“We’re just conscious awareness dancing for itself for no other reason but to stay amused.”—Jim Carrey
“Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything.”—Jim Carrey
“I am heaven.”—Jim Carrey
“When things are really bad
the only thing to do is laugh.”—Jim Carrey
“If you’ve got a talent, protect it.”—Jim Carrey
“I used to be a guy who was experiencing the Universe, but now I feel like the Universe experiencing a guy.”—Jim Carrey
“Anyone can rejigger an atom bomb,” said Hopkins. “But to possess the minds of millions? To make them your willing zombies across a whole decade? That’s real magic.”—Jim Carrey
“I was extremely loved. We always felt we had each other.”—Jim Carrey
“Well, necessity is the motherfucker of invention, man.”—Jim Carrey
“I don’t limit myself.”—Jim Carrey
“Fear is going to be a player in your life, but you get to decide how much.”—Jim Carrey
“If you aren’t in the moment, you are either looking forward to uncertainty, or back to pain and regret.”—Jim Carrey
“My focus is to forget the pain of life. Forget the pain, mock the pain, reduce it. And laugh.”—Jim Carrey
“Life opens up opportunities to you, and you either take them or you stay afraid of taking them.”—Jim Carrey
“Originality is really important.”—Jim Carrey
“People need motivation to do anything.”—Jim Carrey
“A lot of good love can happen in ten years.”—Jim Carrey
“I’m very serious about no alcohol, no drugs.”—Jim Carrey
“Life is too beautiful.”—Jim Carrey
“I just want to be myself.”—Jim Carrey