Jim Carrey (Part 1)

James Eugene Carrey was born on January 17, 1962. He is a Canadian-American actor and comedian known for his energetic slapstick performances. Carrey initially honed his stand-up comedy act during the 1980s and portrayed mostly supporting roles in films.
In 1990, Carrey gained wide recognition when he was cast in the American sketch comedy television series In Living Color (1990–1994). However, he broke out as a film star in 1994 after starring in a string of box office hits, including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber. His success continued with sequels to Ace Ventura and Batman Forever in 1995.
Carrey became the first actor to receive a $20 million salary for performing in films, starting with The Cable Guy in 1996. He continued to have success as a leading actor in comedies such as Liar Liar, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Bruce Almighty, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, and Yes Man.
In the 2010s, Carrey began to appear in fewer films, with notable roles including reprising the part of Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber To and portraying Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog and its sequels.
Despite being largely typecast as a comedic actor, Carrey has had success in dramatic roles as well. His critically acclaimed performances include Truman Banks in The Truman Show and Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, for which he won Golden Globe Awards. He also starred in the psychological science fiction romantic drama film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, receiving nominations for both a BAFTA Award and another Golden Globe Award. Additionally, Carrey starred as Jeff Piccirillo in the Showtime tragicomedy series Kidding, for which he received his seventh Golden Globe nomination.


Jim Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada, to Kathleen and Percy Carrey. His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a musician and accountant. Carrey was raised in a Roman Catholic family and has three older siblings: John, Patricia, and Rita. His mother had French, Irish, and Scottish ancestry, while his father was of French-Canadian descent, with the family's original surname being Carré.
From a young age, Carrey showed a talent for impressions and comedy. At the age of eight, he began making faces in front of a mirror, and by ten, he was writing letters to Carol Burnett, showcasing his talent for impressions and expressing his desire to be on her show.
Carrey spent his early years in Scarborough, Ontario, attending Blessed Trinity Catholic Elementary School before the family moved to Burlington, Ontario, where he attended Aldershot High School. However, financial struggles led to the family becoming homeless for a period, with Carrey and his brother even living in a tent in a park.
Despite these challenges, Carrey continued to pursue his passion for comedy and performance. He began performing comedy in downtown Toronto while also working odd jobs, including at a tire factory where his father found employment. Carrey once remarked that if his show business career hadn't worked out, he would likely have ended up working at the steel mill in Hamilton, Ontario.
Carrey's early experiences with financial hardship and perseverance undoubtedly shaped his comedic style and fueled his drive for success in the entertainment industry.


Jim Carrey's early foray into stand-up comedy began in 1977 at the age of 15, with his father assisting him in putting together a stage act. His first performance took place at the Yuk Yuk's comedy club in downtown Toronto, where he debuted in a polyester leisure suit chosen by his mother. However, Carrey's conventional impersonations did not resonate with the club's raunchy comedic style, leading to a disappointing reception.
Despite this setback, Carrey continued to pursue comedy, and by 1979, he had developed a more polished act. He secured his first paid gig at the Hay Loft club in Scarborough, where he earned $20 for a 20-minute spot. With newfound confidence, Carrey returned to Yuk Yuk's and quickly transitioned from open-mic nights to regular paid shows, establishing himself as a local comedy talent.
In addition to stand-up, Carrey also explored sketch comedy, auditioning for a role on NBC's Saturday Night Live for the 1980–81 season. Although he was not selected for the show, Carrey continued to hone his comedic skills, taking on voice acting gigs on programs such as The All-Night Show.
Despite initial setbacks, Carrey's perseverance and talent eventually led him to become one of the most successful and recognizable comedic actors in Hollywood.


Jim Carrey's perseverance in the world of comedy continued as he performed his contortionist impressions across Toronto and surrounding areas. In February 1981, at the age of nineteen, he faced a challenging audience reception when he opened for the rock band Goddo at The Roxy Theatre in Barrie. The crowd booed him offstage, leading him to refuse to return for the second night.
Despite this setback, Carrey's talent caught the attention of the media when a review of one of his performances at Yuk Yuk's appeared in the Toronto Star's entertainment section. The review, accompanied by a photo of Carrey impersonating Sammy Davis Jr., praised him as "a genuine star coming to life." This exposure propelled Carrey's career forward, leading to increased demand for his impressionist stand-up act throughout Canada.


In April 1981, Carrey made an appearance on the televised stand-up show An Evening at the Improv, further expanding his reach. He also landed a significant role in the made-for-TV movie Introducing... Janet, which premiered on the CBC in September 1981. Playing a struggling impressionist comic named Tony Maroni, this was Carrey's first acting role and contributed to his rising comedic status in Canada.
Recognized for his talent, Carrey caught the attention of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, who signed him to open for his tour performances. By December 1981, Carrey had gained enough fame in Canada to attract interest from Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. Although he auditioned for the show's bookers in early 1982, he was advised to further refine his act before making an appearance.
Continuing to tour venues across North America, Carrey returned to Toronto in June 1982 for two sold-out shows at Massey Hall, showcasing his growing popularity and comedic prowess. These experiences laid the groundwork for Carrey's eventual breakthrough in the entertainment industry.

References

1.  Susman, Gary (October 13, 2004). "Jim Carrey becomes a U.S. citizen". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
2. a b "1962: Funny man Jim Carrey born in Newmarket, Ont". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016. On this day in history, Jan. 17, 1962, James Eugene Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ont.
3. ^ Shanlin, Calum. "Throwback Thursday: Jim Carrey at 20". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
4. ^ "Jim Carrey Net Worth". Men's Health. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
5. ^ "USA WEEKEND Magazine". USA Weekend. May 25, 2003. Archived from the original on March 24, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
6. ^ "Jim Carrey Biography (1962–)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
7. ^ Puig, Claudia (May 27, 2003). "Spiritual Carrey still mighty funny". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2009.