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 highly successful Canadian and American actor and comedian, celebrated for his slapstick performances. He is considered one of the leading comedic actors of his generation. Carrey has been honored with two Golden Globe Awards and has received nominations for BAFTA and Screen Actors Guild Awards, highlighting his impact on the entertainment industry.
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 Downtown Toronto, but his conventional impersonations were not well-received.
1979: Return to the Stage
In 1979, with more domestic stability, Jim Carrey returned to the stage with a more polished act, leading to his first paid gig at the Hay Loft club.
1980: Saturday Night Live Audition
In 1980, Jim Carrey auditioned to be a cast member for Saturday Night Live but was not selected.
February 1981: Opening Act for Goddo
In February 1981, Jim Carrey was booked as the opening act for the rock band Goddo at The Roxy Theatre in Barrie but was booed offstage.
April 1981: Appearance on 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: Starring in Introducing... Janet
In September 1981, Jim Carrey starred in Introducing... Janet, a made-for-TV movie that premiered on the CBC, marking his first acting role.
December 1981: Interest from Johnny Carson's Tonight Show
By December 1981, Jim Carrey, already a well-known comic in Canada, garnered interest from Johnny Carson's Tonight Show, largely due to his reputation in Canada.
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 his tour as the opening act 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 was featured on CTV's W5, a newsmagazine program that aired nationally in Canada.
November 1983: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Debut
In late November 1983, Jim Carrey debuted his impressionist act on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as a promotional appearance for The Duck Factory.
January 1984: Scheduled Debut of The Duck Factory
In January 1984, The Duck Factory was originally scheduled to start airing, though its debut was later pushed to April.
July 1984: Debut on Late Night with David Letterman and Cancellation of The Duck Factory
In late July 1984, Jim Carrey made his debut appearance on NBC's Late Night with David Letterman, but by that time, The Duck Factory had already been canceled.
November 1985: Release of Once Bitten
In mid-November 1985, Once Bitten, starring Jim Carrey, was released and became a modest box-office hit despite poor reviews.
1986: Audition for SNL
In 1986, Jim Carrey auditioned for SNL, his third attempt at joining the show, but was rejected despite performing for Lorne Michaels. He then shifted his comedy style away from impressions.
1990: Joins In Living Color
In 1990, Jim Carrey became a regular cast member on the ensemble comedy television series In Living Color, boosting his career.
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, grossing $351 million worldwide. This occurred after 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 the film.
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, which led to his breakthrough as a film star.
1994: Transition to major film roles
In 1994, Jim Carrey's popularity from In Living Color helped him land his first major film roles.
1995: Batman Forever and Ace Ventura sequel
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 was a box office success but poorly received by critics.
1995: Continued Box Office Success
In 1995, Jim Carrey starred in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls and Batman Forever, continuing his streak of box office hits.
May 1996: Hosting Saturday Night Live
In May 1996, after establishing himself as a Hollywood film star, Jim Carrey hosted Saturday Night Live.
1996: Release of The Cable Guy movie
In 1996 Jim Carrey starred in the movie The Cable Guy as Ernie "Chip" Douglas.
1996: Starring in The Cable Guy
In 1996, Jim Carrey starred in The Cable Guy, receiving $20 million upfront, making him the first comic actor to achieve this. He played a menacing cable TV installer, a role that was a departure from his previous characters and received mixed reviews.
1996: Record Salary for The Cable Guy
In 1996, after the success of five films, Jim Carrey became the first comic actor to receive an upfront $20 million salary, starting with The Cable Guy.
1997: Leading Role in Liar Liar
In 1997, Jim Carrey starred in the comedy Liar Liar, continuing his success as a leading actor.
1998: Starring in The Truman Show
In 1998, Jim Carrey starred in The Truman Show, receiving critical acclaim for his performance and winning a Golden Globe Award.
1999: Starring as Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon
In 1999, Jim Carrey starred as Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, winning a Golden Globe Award for his performance.
1999: Starring in Man on the Moon
In 1999, Jim Carrey starred in Man on the Moon, portraying comedian Andy Kaufman. He received critical acclaim and a Golden Globe Award but was not nominated for an Academy Award.
2000: Starring in How the Grinch Stole Christmas
In 2000, Jim Carrey starred in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, adding to his list of successful comedies.
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. He reteamed with the Farrelly brothers for Me, Myself & Irene, which received mixed reviews but was a box office success. He also starred in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, receiving both praise and criticism alongside a Golden Globe nomination.
2003: Leading Role in Bruce Almighty
In 2003, Jim Carrey starred in Bruce Almighty, marking another successful leading role in a comedy film.
2004: Starring in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, receiving a BAFTA Award nomination and another Golden Globe nomination.
2004: Starring in Eternal Sunshine and Lemony Snicket's
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, receiving critical acclaim and a BAFTA nomination. He also appeared in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, which was positively received.
2004: Starring in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events
In 2004, Jim Carrey starred in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, further establishing his presence in comedy films.
2005: Canadian Walk of Fame and Fun with Dick and Jane
In 2005, Jim Carrey was inducted into the Canadian Walk of Fame and starred in Fun with Dick and Jane. He was also cast in Over the Hedge but quit due to lack of control over the character's movements.
2007: Starring in The Number 23
In 2007, Jim Carrey starred in The Number 23, a psychological thriller. The film was poorly received by critics.
2008: Leading Role in Yes Man
In 2008, Jim Carrey starred in Yes Man, adding another comedy to his list of leading roles.
2008: Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who! and Yes Man
In 2008, Jim Carrey voiced Horton in Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!, which was a box office success. He also starred in Yes Man, receiving mixed reviews but earning $225 million worldwide.
January 2009: I Love You Phillip Morris premiere
In January 2009, I Love You Phillip Morris premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, starring Jim Carrey as Steven Jay Russell. It received positive reviews.
2009: Anti-Vaccination Article and Rally
In 2009, Jim Carrey wrote an article questioning vaccination merits and its connection to autism for The Huffington Post. He also led a "Green Our Vaccines" march in Washington, D.C., advocating for removing "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 after premiering in January 2009.
January 2011: Hosting Saturday Night Live Again
In January 2011, Jim Carrey hosted Saturday Night Live again, showcasing his established career as a film star.
2011: Nothing to See Here Exhibition
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. The film received mixed reviews upon release.
April 2012: Dumb and Dumber sequel announced
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
September 2012 was the planned production start for Dumb and Dumber To, the Dumb and Dumber sequel.
October 1, 2012: Dumb and Dumber To script complete
On October 1, 2012, it was announced that the script for Dumb and Dumber To was complete and that Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels would reprise their roles.
March 2013: Announcement of children's book and parody music video
In March 2013, Jim Carrey announced his children's book, How Roland Rolls, and 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 his support due to the Sandy Hook shooting.
March 25, 2013: "Cold Dead Hand" parody music video release
On March 25, 2013, Jim Carrey released a parody music video with Eels through Funny or Die, titled "Cold Dead Hand", lampooning American gun culture.
September 2013: Release of How Roland Rolls
In September 2013, Jim Carrey's self-published children's book, How Roland Rolls, was released.
May 2014: Honorary doctorate from Maharishi University
In May 2014, Jim Carrey delivered the commencement address at Maharishi University of Management and received an honorary doctorate.
October 2014: Hosting Saturday Night Live for the Third Time
In October 2014, Jim Carrey hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time, further solidifying his status as a Hollywood film star.
November 2014: Release of Dumb and Dumber To
In November 2014, Dumb and Dumber To, the sequel to Dumb and Dumber, was released.
2014: Appearance in Dumb and Dumber To
In 2014, Jim Carrey appeared in Dumb and Dumber To, reprising his role in the sequel.
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.
June 2017: Executive Producer for "I'm Dying Up Here"
In June 2017, Showtime began airing the dramedy "I'm Dying Up Here", for which Jim Carrey served as the executive producer. The show chronicles a group of stand-up comics in 1970s Los Angeles and incorporates aspects of Carrey's own experience.
2017: Documentaries about Jim Carrey in 2017
In 2017, Jim Carrey was the subject of two documentaries. The first, "I Needed Color", about his lifelong passion for art, was released online in the summer. Later in 2017, "Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond" premiered at The Venice Film Festival, chronicling the behind-the-scenes drama during the shooting of "Man on the Moon", when he never broke character as Andy Kaufman.
June 2018: Casting in Sonic the Hedgehog
In June 2018, Jim Carrey was cast as Dr. Ivo Robotnik, the main antagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series, in a film adaptation of the franchise.
October 23, 2018: "IndigNation" Exhibition Opening
On October 23, 2018, Jim Carrey's drawing repertoire culminated in an exhibition titled IndigNation, which opened at the Maccarone Gallery in Los Angeles.
2018: Starring in Kidding
In 2018, Jim Carrey starred in the Showtime tragicomedy series Kidding.
February 2020: Release of Sonic the Hedgehog film
In February 2020, the film adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog was released to positive reviews. Jim Carrey's portrayal of Dr. Ivo Robotnik was praised.
December 19, 2020: Stepping Down from 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.
2020: Role as Doctor Eggman in Sonic the Hedgehog
In 2020, Jim Carrey began his role as Doctor Eggman in the Sonic the Hedgehog film series.
2020: Final Season of Kidding
In 2020, Jim Carrey concluded his role in the Showtime tragicomedy series Kidding, for which he received his seventh Golden Globe nomination.
January 7, 2022: 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.
February 2022: Reprising Role in Verizon Commercial
In February 2022, Jim Carrey reprised his role as Ernie "Chip" Douglas from the 1996 movie "The Cable Guy" in a commercial for Verizon, which aired during the Super Bowl.
April 2022: Considering Retirement
In April 2022, Jim Carrey announced that he was considering retirement from acting, stating he had done enough and was enough.
April 2022: Release of Sonic the Hedgehog 2
In April 2022, Jim Carrey returned for Sonic the Hedgehog 2, which grossed $72 million at the US box office in its opening weekend.
February 2024: Reprising Role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik 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 and also play Ivo Robotnik's grandfather, Gerald Robotnik.
December 2024: Plans for 'Power Rest'
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.
March 2026: Return as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 4
In March 2026, Jim Carrey was announced to return as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 4.
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