Guide Note

Jim Carrey is a Canadian-born actor who rose to fame in the 1994 film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. Before hitting the big screen, Carrey was known as a cast member on the sketch comedy show In Living Color. It was on this show that he introduced the world to his unique brand of physical comedy in several memorable character roles, including a famous impression of Vanilla Ice.

After the success of Ace Ventura, Carrey launched a lucrative film career with a series of starring roles in movies such as The Mask, Dumb and Dumber, and The Cable Guy. Carrey didn't stop at comedy, however; eventually he forayed into serious acting with roles in Oscar-nominated films such as The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the latter of which was partly written by Charlie Kaufman (the mastermind behind the quirky film Being John Malkovich).

Carrey's personal life has been marked by several marriages/engagements, often including his co-stars (Lauren Holly, Renee Zellweger). In 2005, he became romantically involved with actress and former Playboy centerfold Jenny McCarthy.

Fast Facts

1. Born: January 17, 1962
2. Birthplace: Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
3. 2004: Became a U.S. citizen
4. Golden Globes: 2
5. Discovered by Rodney Dangerfield
6. 1980: Auditioned unsuccessfully for Saturday Night Live
7. Is a vegetarian