Where Has Jim Carrey Gone, And What Is He Doing?
Ever heard of Jim Carrey? We’re sure you have…he’s one of Hollywood’s most well-known actors! Recognized for his outstanding portrayal of characters in legendary comedies, he has made his mark as an award-winning actor and comedian. Fans around the world are asking of his whereabouts…the hilarious star is nowhere to be found…
Missing In Action
During the 90’s, Jim Carrey was regarded as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. Fast-forward to today, and the hilarious icon is nowhere to be found. Jim rose to stardom because of his unique style of comedy, most notably through his characters in Dumb and Dumber, and The Mask. After all of his success, where in the world has he gone?
Missing In Action
From The Very Beginning
Imagine being a child and knowing what you were going to do for the rest of your life? Jim Carrey was one of those lucky individuals. When he was around 5 years old, he told his parents that when he grew up, he would become a comedian. Interestingly enough, many actors and actresses in Hollywood start out as comedians before going on to star in films and TV. He began performing in comedy clubs and restaurants, and although not all of his stand-ups were superb, he improved quickly, and slowly put together a winning routine. Luckily enough, his hard-work and dedication paid off, and he was signed by comedian Rodney Dangerfield.
From The Very Beginning
The Big Move
After touring and traveling the world with fellow comedian Rodney, Carrey decided it was time for him to make the big move to Hollywood. Boy, did the move turn out to be a good decision! He began appearing on shows left and right, really making a name for himself in the industry. In the early 1980’s, Jim made his mark on shows such as, An Evening at the Improv and The Tonight Show. It wasn’t until about a decade later in the year 1990, when he had his big break. Carrey was signed for the sketch-comedy series In Living Color. This opportunity set the stage for his jump into the movie world.
The Big Move
Breakout Year
Unlike many hopefuls who take years to make it in Hollywood, Carrey didn’t have to wait very long at all. While most newbies attest their big break to their first big film, Jim had not one, not two, but three films to thank!
In the year 1994, the comedian starred in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask and Dumb and Dumber. The latter two being his most recognizable performances to this day. It’s safe to say that during Jim Carrey’s breakout Hollywood year, he sure made a name for himself!
Breakout Year
The Roles Kept Coming
Instead of a break for the new star to enjoy some of his success, the agents and producers kept calling! Just one year later, Jim starred in Batman Forever, and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls. Not only that, he was raking in a whopping $20 mil per film! Jim Carrey was now a household name in the film industry. His performance in The Truman Show proved to Hollywood, and the world, that he wasn’t just a comedian, but an actor who could do any genre.
The Roles Kept Coming
Not A One-Hit Wonder
Carrey’s comedic performances are what put him on the map, but he also enjoyed dabbling in more serious work as well. This just proves how committed the star was to being multi-dimensional, instead of just a one-hit wonder. In 2004, he received critical acclaim for his “low-key performance” in the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
Not A One-Hit Wonder
Goofy Or Serious?
Fans began to dissect his work, trying to make distinctions between the contrasting characters he played. IGN told Jim, “Some people have started to make the comparison between the ‘goofy’ Jim Carrey role and the ‘serious’ Jim Carrey role.” He agreed and said, “It’s a Jekyll and Hyde situation,” Carrey replied. “[The roles] just come as they come.” Although, many die-hard Carrey fans took notice to the fewer and fewer comedies he seemed to be starring in. In 2007, he starred in a psychological thriller called The Number 23.
Goofy Or Serious?
Children’s Movies
But, as we all know, not all movies turn into big-hits, no matter how many household names are in the cast! Unfortunately this was the case for The Number 23. But, Jim bounced back a year later…better than ever. The film Yes Man, was a huge success, grossing over $223 mill in the box office. He continued to appear in comedies such as Dumb and Dumber To, and even delved into children’s movies, such as A Christmas Carol, and Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Surprisingly, even with impressive box-office standings, his reviews were becoming more and more mixed.
Children’s Movies
Oh, Twitter
With the rise of social media, Twitter in particular, it is easier now than ever for people to get their opinions and beliefs out for the world to see/hear. Jim Carrey is one of those actors who decided to make his voice heard on his Twitter account, not always boding well with fans. His beliefs often didn’t coincide with the movie he was promoting, either. Carrey clearly wasn’t a fan of the film, Kick-Ass 2. The star denounced the film’s violence on Twitter, making it known that he was indeed, not a fan.
Oh, Twitter
In Memory Of
The actor also posted on Twitter, “I did Kick-Ass 2 a month before Sandy Hook,” referring to the mass shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. “And now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence. My apologies to others involved with the film. I am not ashamed of it, but recent events have caused a change in my heart.” Carrey’s opinions regarding the film caused a big stir throughout Hollywood.
In Memory Of
Less Impressed
While some commended Jim for his strong character, and for speaking out against the issue, those involved in the film directly, were less than impressed. The creator of the original comic book, Mark Millar wrote an open letter following Carrey’s tweets. Mark claimed that “The fact that Carrey’s character refuses to fire a gun is something he told us attracted him to the role in the first place.”
Less Impressed
Controversial
In 2015, Carrey also tweeted some personal opinions that received a lot of backlash. He made it public that he was anti-vaccination, tweeting, “California Gov says yes to poisoning more children with mercury and aluminum in mandatory vaccines. This corporate fascist must be stopped”. He was referring to the new law that had just been passed in California regarding vaccinations. This is a very debated topic, celebs usually tending to stick their noses elsewhere.
Controversial
Losing Fans
There was of course lots of responses to the famous star’s tweet. Followers pointed out that mercury was no longer used in vaccines and that refusing to vaccinate children poses a huge risk to public health as a whole. Carrey fired back tweeting, “I am not anti-vaccine. I am anti-thimerosal, anti-mercury. They have taken some of the mercury laden thimerosal out of vaccines. NOT ALL!” Most celebrities don’t get involved because they know that their reputations could be affected with those of differing opinions.
Losing Fans
Time Magazine
The ever-famous Time magazine went as far as publishing an article titled “Jim Carrey, Please Shut Up About Vaccines.” The article stated, “the anti-vax crowd has never been about reasoned argument or a cool-headed look at clinical science. They’ve been all about rage, all about echo-chamber misinformation.” It looks like Jim Carrey went from beloved actor and comedian, to a raging, anti-science crazy.
Time Magazine
No One’s Hiring
We all know what bad press can do to a celebrity’s fame. When the public isn’t happy with you, producers subsequently don’t want you to be the star of their films. Carrey’s work was definitely affected by his opinionated tweets, the star appeared in zero movies during the year 2015. He appeared on Saturday Night Live a whopping total of once during the entire span of a year. After having a breakout year of three major films, this was sure a letdown for the star.
No One’s Hiring
The Worst Is Yet To Come
As if everything going on in his life wasn’t bad enough, Jim Carrey lost someone very close to him in the year 2015. In September, his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White committed suicide. Cathriona’s husband and family alleged that White had used prescription drugs belonging to Carrey to kill herself. The family brought a lawsuit against the actor, creating a painful chain of events that Carrey still deals with to this day.
The Worst Is Yet To Come
Complete Turmoil
It didn’t stop there. White’s mother, Brigid Sweetman, claimed that Carrey had used “high-priced Hollywood lawyers” to intimidate Cathriona after their break-up, and emotionally abused and gave her daughter STD’s. These allegations sent Carrey’s career and future into complete turmoil.
Complete Turmoil
Leave Of Absence
Can you believe that the case is still open? It is still being fought in the courts today. The legal team alleges that Jim gave Catriona STD’s and dumped her then afterward to salvage what was left of his image. Carrey’s legal team claims that White tried to extort money from him. The comedian has since put acting and making people laugh on hold until the case is closed. It’s safe to say that we won’t be seeing Carrey on screen anytime soon.
Leave Of Absence
Comfortable Living
But, even after the case is closed, we’re not sure if Carrey will ever be able to return to his glory days. He even dished to the audience at Pasadena’s Icehouse Comedy Club in January 2017, “I’m not hungry anymore, I’ve done it all!” Whether this is true or not, we aren’t even sure how many deals he’d get signed to at this point. With a net worth of $150 million, it’s safe to say, he’ll live very comfortably for the rest of his life.
Comfortable Living
The Future
But, as the saying goes, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel. Carrey has an upcoming gig for 2018, a Showtime TV series named Kidding. After many years, he will be reunited with Eternal Sunshine director Michel Gondry. So, we won’t write off the star just yet, it seems he’s back, a least for a bit. Whatever the hilarious actor and comedian does next, we hope he finds a life full of health and happiness.
The Future