Jim Carrey’s 5 Best Performances

His accolades include 2 Golden Globes, 1 BAFTA nomination and 1 Grammy nomination

Jim Carrey’s career started off in the 70s in the world of stand-up and impressions. From there, he grew to become one of the biggest comedy actors of all time. He has even thrown himself into a serious role or two, which have won him critical acclaim.

For the man of a thousand faces/voices, we have put together our 5 favourite performances – take a look below.

5. Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)

The film that kicked off the comedian’s real rise to fame. Carrey portrays a wacky, outlandish private eye…who specialises in cases surrounding animals. A “pet detective” if you will. The film shows Carrey’s power as a leading man and emphasises his energy…and suitability for loud shirts.

This was the first of Carrey’s 3 big hits in 1994. Ventura is also the first character that he agreed to play in a sequel.

4. The Grinch in The Grinch (2000)

A transformation and a half. Ron Howard’s live-action retelling of the The Grinch That Stole Christmas had Carrey under a mountain of make-up as the title character. Fun. Unrecognisable. But still that unforgettable energy and commitment to the physicality that the role demanded.

Being stuck in all that make-up for the character actually almost led Carrey to quitting the film due to the claustrophobia of it all. However, experts were brought in to help him relax and focus, such as smoking and hitting yourself in the leg.

3. Lloyd Christmas in Dumb and Dumber (1994)

A role that probably could have broke this star’s career had it not been handled right. However, Carrey does a perfect job. He stars alongside Jeff Daniels as Lloyd and Harry, two idiotic friends who find themselves on a road trip to return a mysterious briefcase to a beautiful woman.

Carrey and Daniels together play into the dumbness of the characters amazingly without overplaying it and making it unbearable to watch. Though Carrey had previously discouraged making sequels after Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, he found himself playing this character again in 2014’s Dumb and Dumber To which unfortunately was not as successful as the original.

2. Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon (1999)

Carrey has took a few turns into more serious films, such as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but this one takes the biscuit. The star portrays SNL alumni Andy Kaufman, who became very well known for his unique views on comedy and playing up to the audience.

From beginning to start, Carrey uses his strengths and gives a solid performance with the incorporation of Kaufman’s mannerisms and speech patterns. The role won him a Golden Globe in 2000 for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Related Article: Did You Know This About…The Mask

1. Stanley Ipkiss/The Mask in The Mask (1994)

The role that plays to every one of Jim Carrey’s strengths. The star plays Stanley Ipkiss, a mild mannered banker who finds a green wooden mask that turns him into a super-powered maniac.

The juxtapose between the pushover and crazy wild man is genius and the physicality is off the charts once he dons the green face. The way he plays with voices, film references, characterisation…easily a role that is made for this actor.

Carrey even added some of his own ideas to certain parts of the story. It was actually his idea for the character to exhale a smoke heart and snort out an arrow through it when he is trying to seduce Cameron Diaz’s Tina Carlyle.

–

What are your thoughts on our choices for Jim Carrey’s best performances? Agree? Think other performances deserved some recognition? Let us know in the comment section below!