Career Timeline of Jim Carrey: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Jim Carrey built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Jim Carrey is a Canadian and American actor and comedian renowned for his expressive and physical comedic style. He has won two Golden Globe Awards and received nominations for BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards, recognizing his contributions to film and television. Carrey is known for his energetic slapstick performances.
1977: First Stand-up Comedy Experience
In 1977, at the age of 15, Jim Carrey had his first stand-up comedy experience at Yuk Yuk's comedy club in Toronto, with his father's help. He wore a polyester leisure suit chosen by his mother. The performance, consisting of conventional impersonations, did not go well.
1979: Return to the Stage
In 1979, with improved family finances, Jim Carrey returned to the stage with a more polished act, leading to his first paid gig at the Hay Loft club in Scarborough for Can$20. He also returned to Yuk Yuk's, building his reputation.
1980: Saturday Night Live Audition
In 1980, Jim Carrey auditioned for Saturday Night Live but was not selected, with Charles Rocket chosen instead.
February 1981: Opening for Goddo at The Roxy Theatre
In February 1981, Jim Carrey, at age 19, opened for the rock band Goddo at The Roxy Theatre in Barrie, but the rock crowd booed him offstage.
April 1981: Appeared in An Evening at the Improv
In April 1981, Jim Carrey appeared in an episode of the televised stand-up show 'An Evening at the Improv'.
September 1981: Premiered in Introducing... Janet
In September 1981, Jim Carrey starred in the made-for-TV movie 'Introducing... Janet' on the CBC, drawing over a million viewers. He played a struggling impressionist comic named Tony Moroni.
December 1981: Interest from The Tonight Show
By December 1981, Jim Carrey, already a well-known comic in Canada, was waiting for a United States work permit, having received interest from Johnny Carson's 'Tonight Show' based on his Canadian reputation.
June 19, 1982: Sold-Out Shows at Massey Hall
On June 19, 1982, Jim Carrey performed two sold-out shows at Massey Hall in Toronto during a tour opening for Rodney Dangerfield.
April 1983: Performance at B.B. Magoon's and W5 Feature
In late April 1983, Jim Carrey performed at B.B. Magoon's in Toronto, and CTV's W5 aired a feature on him nationally in Canada.
November 1983: Tonight Show Debut
In late November 1983, Jim Carrey debuted on 'The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson' to promote 'The Duck Factory', performing impressions, though he was not invited to sit on the couch with Carson.
January 1984: Scheduled Debut of The Duck Factory
In January 1984, 'The Duck Factory' was originally scheduled to start airing.
July 1984: Late Night with David Letterman Debut
In late July 1984, Jim Carrey debuted on NBC's 'Late Night with David Letterman' after 'The Duck Factory' was canceled.
November 1985: Once Bitten Release
In mid-November 1985, 'Once Bitten' was released and became a modest box-office hit despite negative reviews.
1986: Audition for SNL
In the fall of 1986, Jim Carrey auditioned for Saturday Night Live for the third time, performing impressions for Lorne Michaels, Dennis Miller, Jon Lovitz, and Nora Dunn, but was rejected. Dana Carvey and Phil Hartman, who auditioned alongside Carrey, were hired instead. Carrey then shifted his comedy act away from impressions.
1990: Cast Member on In Living Color
In 1990, Jim Carrey became a regular cast member of the ensemble comedy television series In Living Color, gaining popularity that helped him land major film roles.
February 1994: Release of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
In February 1994, Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, starring Jim Carrey, was released and grossed $72 million in the United States and Canada.
July 1994: Release of The Mask
In July 1994, The Mask was released and grossed $351 million worldwide. Following the success of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and before the release of The Mask, Morgan Creek Productions paid Jim Carrey $5 million to reprise his role as Ace Ventura.
December 1994: Release of Dumb and Dumber
In December 1994, Dumb and Dumber was released, grossing over $270 million worldwide. New Line Cinema paid Jim Carrey $7 million to appear in Dumb and Dumber. Carrey received his first Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor for his work in The Mask.
1994: Continued success in In Living Color
In 1994, Jim Carrey continued as a cast member of the ensemble comedy television series In Living Color. The popularity of the series helped him to land his first few major film roles.
1994: Breakthrough Film Roles
In 1994, Jim Carrey starred in a string of box office hits, including 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective', 'The Mask', and 'Dumb and Dumber'.
1995: Continued Film Success
In 1995, Jim Carrey continued his film success with roles in 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' and 'Batman Forever'.
1995: Starring in Batman Forever and Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
In 1995, Jim Carrey portrayed the Riddler in Batman Forever, which was a box office success despite mixed reviews. He also reprised his role as Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, which broke records with a $40 million opening weekend and earned $212 million worldwide.
May 1996: Hosting Saturday Night Live
In May 1996, Jim Carrey hosted 'Saturday Night Live' after establishing himself as a Hollywood film star.
1996: First $20 Million Salary
In 1996, Jim Carrey became the first comic actor to receive an upfront $20 million salary for a film, starting with 'The Cable Guy'.
1996: Starring in The Cable Guy
In 1996, Jim Carrey starred in The Cable Guy, directed by Ben Stiller, receiving $20 million for the role. The Cable Guy grossed $102 million worldwide. He also starred in the music video of the film's closing song, "Leave Me Alone" by Jerry Cantrell.
1997: Starring in Liar Liar
In 1997, Jim Carrey starred in the comedy film 'Liar Liar'.
1998: Starring in The Truman Show
In 1998, Jim Carrey starred in 'The Truman Show', a critically acclaimed performance that showcased his dramatic abilities and won him a Golden Globe Award.
1999: Starring in Man on the Moon
In 1999, Jim Carrey starred as Andy Kaufman in 'Man on the Moon', earning him another Golden Globe Award for his performance.
2000: Starring in Me, Myself & Irene and How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In 2000, Jim Carrey starred in Me, Myself & Irene and How the Grinch Stole Christmas, receiving mixed reviews and a Golden Globe nomination for the latter.
2000: Starring in How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In 2000, Jim Carrey starred in the comedy film 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas'.
2003: Starring in Bruce Almighty
In 2003, Jim Carrey starred in Bruce Almighty, which earned over $484 million worldwide and became the seventeenth highest-grossing live action comedy of all time.
2004: Starring in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, receiving critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination and BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor. He also appeared in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events.
2004: Starring in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in the film 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'.
2004: Starring in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in the romantic drama film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', receiving a BAFTA Award nomination and another Golden Globe nomination.
2005: Starring in Fun with Dick and Jane
In 2005, Jim Carrey starred in the remake of Fun with Dick and Jane with Téa Leoni, which grossed $200 million with a profit of $100 million.
2007: Starring in The Number 23
In 2007, Jim Carrey starred in The Number 23, a psychological thriller directed by Joel Schumacher, which received negative reviews.
2008: Starring in Yes Man
In 2008, Jim Carrey starred in the comedy film 'Yes Man'.
2008: Voice Acting in Horton Hears a Who! and Starring in Yes Man
In 2008, Jim Carrey voiced Horton in Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, a box office success. He also starred in Yes Man, which earned $225 million at the box office worldwide.
January 2009: Premiere of I Love You Phillip Morris at Sundance Film Festival
In January 2009, I Love You Phillip Morris, starring Jim Carrey, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
2009: Carrey appears with Eckhart Tolle
In 2009, Jim Carrey appeared alongside Eckhart Tolle at an event and shared that through studying Tolle's teachings, he had a spiritual experience.
2009: Carrey questions vaccination merits
In 2009, Jim Carrey wrote an article questioning the merits of vaccination for The Huffington Post. With former partner Jenny McCarthy, Carrey led a "Green Our Vaccines" march in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the removal of "toxic substances" from children's vaccines.
February 2010: Wide Release of I Love You Phillip Morris
In February 2010, I Love You Phillip Morris, starring Jim Carrey, received a wide release.
2011: Carrey exhibits painting at Heather James Fine Art Gallery
In 2011, Jim Carrey exhibited the painting "Nothing to See Here" in an art show in Palm Springs at the Heather James Fine Art Gallery.
2011: Starring in Mr. Popper's Penguins
In 2011, Jim Carrey starred in Mr. Popper's Penguins, playing Tom Popper Jr., a realtor who becomes the caretaker of a family of penguins. The film received a mixed reception upon release.
April 2012: Announcement of Dumb and Dumber sequel
In April 2012, Peter Farrelly announced that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels would return for a Dumb and Dumber sequel, Dumb and Dumber To.
September 2012: Planned production start for Dumb and Dumber To
In September 2012, production was planned to start for the Dumb and Dumber To movie sequel with Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels
October 1, 2012: News of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels reprising roles in Dumb and Dumber To
On October 1, 2012, it was reported that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels would be reprising their roles in Dumb and Dumber To, with a complete script and a plot involving one of the characters needing to find their child for a kidney.
March 2013: Announcement of children's book and Release of "Cold Dead Hand" parody music video
In March 2013, Jim Carrey announced he had written a children's book titled How Roland Rolls. On March 25, 2013, he released a parody music video with Eels titled "Cold Dead Hand," lampooning American gun culture.
March 2013: Release of The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Appearance in Kick-Ass 2
In March 2013, Jim Carrey starred in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, which underperformed at the box office. Around the same time, he appeared in Kick-Ass 2 but retracted support for the film prior to its release due to concerns about violence.
September 2013: Release of How Roland Rolls
In September 2013, Jim Carrey self-published and released his children's book How Roland Rolls.
November 2014: Release of Dumb and Dumber To
In November 2014, Dumb and Dumber To, starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, was released.
2014: Starring in Dumb and Dumber To
In 2014, Jim Carrey appeared in 'Dumb and Dumber To'.
2015: Producer on Rubble Kings Documentary
In 2015, Jim Carrey was a producer on Rubble Kings, a documentary film about events preceding and following the Hoe Avenue peace meeting.
2016: Carrey's drawings from Twitter feed
In 2016 to 2018, Jim Carrey started to create political drawings for his Twitter feed.
June 2017: Carrey delivers speech at Homeboy Industries event
In June 2017, Jim Carrey delivered a speech at a Homeboy Industries event, expressing his belief that the room was filled with God and admiring the attendees as heroes.
June 2017: Showtime airs "I'm Dying Up Here"
In June 2017, Showtime began airing the dramedy "I'm Dying Up Here," for which Carrey served as executive producer. The show chronicles a group of stand-up comics in 1970s Los Angeles and incorporates aspects of Carrey's own experience. The show lasted two seasons.
2017: Carrey reveals painting passion and releases documentary
In 2017, Jim Carrey revealed that he had been painting for the past six years and released a six-minute documentary entitled "I Needed Color", which showed him working in his studio.
2017: Two documentaries about Carrey released
In 2017, two documentaries about Jim Carrey were released. The first, a short subject entitled "I Needed Color" about his lifelong passion for art, was released online in the summer. Later that year another documentary, "Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond—Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton", premiered at The Venice Film Festival and was later picked up by Netflix. The film chronicles the behind-the-scenes drama during the shooting of "Man on the Moon", when he never broke character as Andy Kaufman.
June 2018: Carrey cast as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog film
In June 2018, Jim Carrey was cast as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the main antagonist in the film adaptation of the "Sonic the Hedgehog" video game series.
October 23, 2018: IndigNation exhibition opens
On October 23, 2018, Jim Carrey's exhibition titled "IndigNation" opened at the Maccarone Gallery in Los Angeles, featuring 108 pen-and-ink drawings from Carrey's Twitter feed from 2016 to 2018.
2018: Starring in Kidding
In 2018, Jim Carrey starred in the Showtime tragicomedy series 'Kidding'.
February 2020: "Sonic the Hedgehog" film released with positive reviews
In February 2020, the "Sonic the Hedgehog" film, starring Jim Carrey as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, was released to positive reviews, with Carrey's performance being particularly praised.
December 19, 2020: Carrey steps down from playing Joe Biden on "Saturday Night Live"
On December 19, 2020, Jim Carrey announced that he would step down from playing Joe Biden on "Saturday Night Live", stating that he had a six-week deal. Cast member Alex Moffat succeeded Carrey in portraying Biden during the cold open of the episode hosted by Kristen Wiig on the same day.
2020: Role in Sonic the Hedgehog film series
From 2020 onwards, Jim Carrey played the role of Doctor Eggman in the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' film series.
2020: Kidding series ended
In 2020, the Showtime tragicomedy series 'Kidding', starring Jim Carrey, ended.
February 2021: Carrey discontinues political cartoons
In February 2021, Jim Carrey announced he would discontinue political cartoons.
January 7, 2022: Carrey appears as narrator of The Weeknd's album Dawn FM
On January 7, 2022, Jim Carrey appeared as the narrator of The Weeknd's album "Dawn FM".
April 2022: Carrey mints first art NFT
In April 2022, Jim Carrey announced that he had minted his first art NFT via the NFT platform SuperRare. The NFT is based on a painting entitled "Sunshower", and is accompanied by original voiceover.
April 2022: Carrey considers retirement
In April 2022, Jim Carrey announced that he was considering retirement, stating he has "done enough" and is "enough."
April 2022: "Sonic the Hedgehog 2" released, giving Carrey best opening
In April 2022, Jim Carrey returned for "Sonic the Hedgehog 2", which grossed $72 million at the US box office in its opening weekend, giving Carrey the best opening of his career to date.
February 2024: Carrey to reprise Dr. Ivo Robotnik role in "Sonic the Hedgehog 3"
In February 2024, it was announced that Jim Carrey would reprise his role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in "Sonic the Hedgehog 3". Carrey also plays Ivo Robotnik’s grandfather, Gerald Robotnik.
December 2024: Carrey plans to "power rest" rather than retire
In December 2024, Jim Carrey clarified that he planned to "power rest" rather than retire, while also stating that he was open to continuing his role in the Sonic film series.
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