Jim Carrey has gone through many trials and tribulations in his life. The press constantly turned him into a subject of gossip which eventually forced him to take a stand. While Carrey was one of the most famous actors in the 90s, it’s been years since we’ve seen him on the big screen.
Unlike other Hollywood stars whose rise to prominence was a sustained success, Carrey’s career was quite different. He dealt with many peaks and valleys before stepping away from the limelight. After appearing in movies like Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty, and The Grinch, fans wonder what Carrey is up to now. Let’s take a look at the roller-coaster ride that is Jim Carrey’s journey from A-list celebrity to relative anonymity.
A Passion for Acting
Jim Carrey always knew that he wanted to be a comedian. At a very young age, Carrey developed a talent for impressions, and his humor was spot-on. He went to comedy clubs to build up his name and attract a wider audience.
Eventually, he caught up with famous stand-up comedian Rodney Dangerfield. That jump-started Carrey’s career and opened up plenty of opportunities that would otherwise be closed if he hadn’t met Dangerfield.
Rise to Fame
The early 1980s saw Carrey appear in front of millions of people in the Tonight Show and An Evening at the Improv. Such appearances gave Carrey enough traction to build upon his comedic success.
By 1990, Carrey’s name was a big hit. His big break came after he appeared in the famous comedy sketch series In Living Color. Carrey inched closer and closer to movie stardom, eventually landing massive starring roles.
Grabbing Opportunities
Carrey’s comedic venture paved the way for him to land three major movie roles. His big break came in 1994 when he starred in films like The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Carrey’s slapstick style proved to be a big hit, and audiences were drawn to his expressive traits. People wanted more of Carrey on the big screen, and the actor was more than happy to oblige.
Playing the Villain
Carrey continued to build on his success, playing the famous supervillain Riddler in the 1995 film Batman Forever. He also reprised his role in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. This series of big-screen appearances had Carrey picking up almost $20 million per film!
With movies like The Truman Show showcasing his skills as a serious actor, the sky was the limit for Carrey in terms of opportunities. He proved that he was more than just a funny face; he’s a legitimate Hollywood star that’s capable of tackling any role.
Doing Serious Work
Carrey’s bread and butter was always comedy, and he stuck with it as the 2000s approached. However, it became evident that he wanted to pursue serious work. With his attention focused on independent films, Carrey landed a role in the 2004 surreal drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
His role in the film received critical acclaim, and fans were starting to see a different side to Carrey’s personality. Behind his goofy persona lies a skilled actor with a rich emotional life to draw from, making him capable of adapting to any role.
It’s a Jekyll and Hyde Situation
The Fallout
Critics had strong words to say about The Number 23, and Carrey’s acting was far from a hit. It altered audience perceptions of Carrey’s career, and he did take it to heart. After what seemed to be a total blunder, Carrey reverted to his proven roles which were comedy and children’s films.
He starred in A Christmas Carol, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, and Dumb and Dumber To. The box-office earnings from the movies were very impressive, but the reviews left a lot to be desired.
Twitter Fingers
In this day and age of social media, it’s easy for everyone to express their beliefs and opinions at the click of a button. Carrey was open with his thoughts on Twitter, and for some reason, his fans just didn’t resonate with what was going on in his mind.
He landed a role in Kick-Ass 2, and instead of promoting it, Carrey took to social media to express his stand against the movie’s violence. People viewed his behavior as strange, and Carrey’s public perception took a hit.
In Defense
He openly voiced his thoughts on why he despised the level of violence in Kick-Ass 2. Carrey tweeted, “I did Kick-Ass a month before Sandy Hook,” in reference to the terrible elementary shooting that had the whole nation terrified.
Carrey said that he was not ashamed to be a part of the film, but the recent events brought about a change of heart in him. Of course, this caused quite a stir, and fans were even more surprised by his behavior.
A Conflict of Interests
The producers of Kick-Ass 2 were unhappy with Carrey’s remarks. The creator of the original comic book, Mark Millar, wrote an open letter stating that Carrey was attracted to his character’s role of refusing to fire a gun.
Being on the wrong end of publicity certainly took a toll on Carrey’s career. Some may even argue that this Twitter stand caused him to lose major acting roles over the years that followed.
Giving Him Credit
When you take a look at Carrey’s filmography, you’ll find an interesting credit to his name in 2015 – the year he appeared on Saturday Night Live. That’s a small step down from a well-renowned actor and comedian who was once one of the biggest names in Hollywood.
Sadly, the worst was yet to come as Carrey faced personal tribulations that would affect the trajectory of his acting career. However, nothing is ever what it seems on the surface when it comes to Jim Carrey.
