On this episode of the world famous Sofa King Podcast, we discuss one of the all-time legends of comedy, Jim Carrey. From a homeless childhood to eventually becoming the highest paid actors in Hollywood, his life has been quite a journey. He’s made some of the greatest comedic movies of all time, and his new life in Television and as a painter meet with critical acclaim as well. From his politics to his stance on vaccines, he’s always controversial.

Jim Carrey was born in a suburb of Toronto to a lower middle class family. His father a was a sax player who eventually had to give it up to work and support his family. Work was tough, however, and at one point the family found themselves living in the back of a VW van. He and his brother worked as night janitors to helps support the family, but at 15, he discovered comedy, and his father supported him by taking him to different comedy clubs. The day he turned 16 and could legally drop out of school he did—school, after all, was only getting in the way of the funny.

He grew in notoriety as a unique stand up talent, who could riff off to top of his head and rely on his prodigious impersonation skills instead of a polished set. He impressed Rodney Dangerfield enough that he was hired to be the legend’s opening act in Vegas. Soon after, Carrey moved to the LA and started auditioning and living the life. He auditioned for Saturday Night Live, which didn’t work out, but eventually landed a role on In Living Color.

From there, he made movie hit after movie hit. Ace Ventura, Dumb and Dumber, The Mask, The Truman Show, and Cable Guy (for which earned $20 million!). He went on to star in dramas such as Eternal Sunshine of Spotless Mind and The Man in the Moon, and his prowess as an actor spread along with a couple of Golden Globe wins. He also grew a reputation for being a hardcore method actor who would lose himself in roles and be very difficult to work with.

Eventually, Hollywood took its toll, and he backed out of the limelight. He spent his time on spiritual pursuits and self-exploration. He has had some success as a painter, doing interesting and often controversial political paintings.

So, which Hollywood starlets has he had relationships with? What’s up with him and the anti-vaccine movement? Why did he get heat for a bucket list comment while doing press for Sonic the Hedgehog? Did he really write himself a $10 million dollar check when he was twenty that he was able to cash years later? Listen, laugh, learn.

 

Visit Our Sources:

https://www.biography.com/actor/jim-carrey

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carrey

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/jim-carreys-reluctant-return-hollywood-1134623

https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/fans-are-not-pleased-with-jim-carreys-predatorial-joke-against-female-journalist.html/

https://www.uselessdaily.com/news/25-amazing-facts-about-jim-carrey-list/

I Need Color: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21CEOlBq2YI

Conan Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCB_gau9tIk

Bucket List Comment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK_xK5QMRqo