Whether Jim Carrey is acting wacky in movies like “The Mask” or entertaining kids like in his latest flick “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”, he always is able to provide filmgoers with many laughs. Here is a brief look at the star’s childhood, acting career, and personal life:
Childhood Facts
When he was a kid he developed his physical comedy skills that he’s so known for in order to make his sick mom feel better.
His father losing his job as an accountant was a turning point in his life. He had to drop out of high school at 16 and get a job to help out with the family income. The situation of his father losing his job caused him to become angry at the world.
Comedy & Acting Facts
He started doing stand-up when he was just 17. And a few years later he appeared on The Tonight Show. He had become well-liked for his imitations of others but eventually decided he’d rather do improv.
Jim Carrey finds comedy out of desperation. In an interview with CBS, the actor says, “desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything. Period. If you ain’t desperate at some point, you ain’t interesting.”
Jim Carrey on acting: “I want to be the greatest actor that ever lived, frankly. I’d love that. But I don’t need to be.”
Movie Facts
On Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He used his own experience with an ex-girlfriend as motivation for his role in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Although, when asked by CBS exactly who the girlfriend was that he was referring to he wouldn’t say.
On Mr. Popper’s Penguins: “It’s really difficult to be unhappy around a penguin. They’re like puppies, times ten.”
The actor liked Mr. Popper’s Penguins because it’s a funny film but at its heart it’s about what’s important in life.
Personal Life Facts
Jim Carey was once married to actress Lauren Holly. Like many in Hollywood, that marriage lasted less than a year though.
Even though the actor has made millions on making others happy, he has struggled with depression himself. At one time he referred to it as a “low level of despair”.
Jim Carrey on spirituality: “I’m a Buddhist, I’m a Muslim, I’m a Christian. I’m whatever you want me to be. — You are either in a loving place, or you are in an unloving place.”
Sources:
CBS, “Carrey: ‘Life Is Too Beautiful’” by Rebecca Leung. (www.cbsnews.com)
The Telegraph, “Jim Carrey interview for Mr. Popper’s Penguins.” (www.telegraph.co.uk)