19 Iconic Photos of Jim Carrey Taking Over the Box Office

Jim Carrey began his stand-up comedy career in 1977 at the age of 15, performing at Yuk Yuk’s comedy club in Toronto. In 1981, he gained significant media attention after a glowing review of his performance at Yuk Yuk’s appeared in the Toronto Star. Join us in this slideshow as we dive into Carrey’s transformative career.

Carrey’s first acting role came in 1981 when he starred in the made-for-TV movie Introducing… Janet, which drew over a million viewers in Canada. He toured with comedian Rodney Dangerfield in the early 1980s, increasing his profile in the comedy scene.

Carrey made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1983, showcasing his impressionist act.

In 1984, he starred in the NBC sitcom The Duck Factory, which marked his first major television role.

Carrey’s film career began to take off in 1985 with the release of Once Bitten, a modest box-office success.

He continued to gain traction with a supporting role in Francis Ford Coppola’s Peggy Sue Got Married (1986).

From 1990 to 1994, Carrey was a regular cast member on the sketch comedy show In Living Color, which helped launch his film career.
In 1994, he starred in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, which grossed $72 million in North America and established him as a leading man.
That same year, he starred in The Mask, which grossed $351 million worldwide and earned him his first Golden Globe nomination.

Carrey also starred in Dumb and Dumber in 1994, which grossed over $270 million worldwide.

In 1995, he played the Riddler in Batman Forever, a box office success despite mixed reviews.

He reprised his role as Ace Ventura in Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995), which earned $212 million worldwide.

Carrey became the first actor to command a $20 million salary for a film with The Cable Guy (1996).

The film The Cable Guy, directed by Ben Stiller, grossed $102 million worldwide despite mixed reviews.

In 1997, he starred in Liar Liar, earning a second Golden Globe nomination for his role as an unethical lawyer.

Carrey received critical acclaim for his performance in The Truman Show (1998), winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.

He portrayed Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon (1999), earning another Golden Globe Award for his performance.

In 2004, he starred in the romantic drama Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, receiving BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations.

Carrey starred in the family film How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), which grossed over $345 million worldwide.

He appeared in the Showtime series Kidding from 2018 to 2020, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Carrey’s influence and contributions to comedy and film have made him one of the most recognizable and celebrated figures in entertainment.