Jim Carrey Net Worth (Money & Salary)
to reports, Jim Carrey’s breakthrough in Hollywood was propelled by his immense talent and hard work. The moment he secured his first significant paycheck, it marked a turning point in his career. After earning a sizable sum for “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” he confidently declared that he would never have to work for money again. This declaration became a reality as his subsequent films also generated massive box office successes, allowing him to take creative risks and choose roles that resonated with him.
Throughout his career, Carrey has been involved in various projects that showcase his versatility, whether through comedic antics or dramatic performances. This ability to seamlessly transition between genres has further solidified his status as a Hollywood icon.
Today, Jim Carrey stands as not only a brilliant comedian and actor but also as an influential figure in the entertainment industry, inspiring countless others with his work and dedication.
According to legend, in 1985, an incredibly broke and despondent Jim Carrey drove his dilapidated Toyota Camry into the Hollywood Hills. While overlooking the vast Los Angeles skyline, he wrote himself a check for $10 million “for acting services rendered.” He dated it ten years into the future and kept it tucked in his wallet. Spoiler alert: within that decade, his dream came to fruition. Following the passing of his father in 1994, Jim placed the check into his father’s casket.
Success
Jim Carrey first glimpsed stardom in 1990 when he joined the Wayans brothers’ sketch comedy series “In Living Color.” This was the platform where he captivated audiences with memorable characters such as the masochistic and accident-prone Fire Marshal Bill. Carrey remained part of In Living Color until its conclusion in 1995; however, just before the show was canceled, his major film debut, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” premiered in theaters. This movie became an overnight sensation, catapulting him to fame. That same year, he also starred in “The Mask” and “Dumb and Dumber,” both of which were major box-office successes. For his subsequent film, “The Cable Guy,” he commanded an impressive $20 million, making history with his salary.
Among Carrey’s other notable comedic films are “Liar, Liar,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Me, Myself and Irene,” and “Yes Man.” He has also taken on roles in several dramas and dramedies, including “The Truman Show,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “The Majestic,” “Man on the Moon,” and the thriller “The Number 23.” More recently, Jim Carrey portrayed Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020) and its sequel, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022), with the latter earning him the highest opening weekend of his career at $72 million in the US box office.
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Salary Highlights
In Living Color marked the beginning of Jim’s significant earnings, with a paycheck of $25,000 per episode. This amounted to approximately $3.2 million from the series’ 127 episodes, equivalent to around $6 million today.
During 1994, Jim received $350,000 for his role in the first Ace Ventura film. After the film grossed $100 million against a $15 million budget, he soon earned $15 million for the sequel, which was released in 1996. In the same year, Jim made $540,000 for starring in “The Mask,” which subsequently generated $350 million. He also earned $7 million for “Dumb & Dumber.”
Notably, Jim Carrey became the first actor ever to surpass the coveted $20 million base salary threshold, a milestone achieved with the 1996 film “The Cable Guy.” His salary was nearly half of the film’s total budget. Just for reference, earning $20 million in the mid-1990s equates to earning about $34 million per film today.
Subsequent movies saw Jim receiving a base salary of $20 million, including:
- The Cable Guy
- Batman Forever
- Liar Liar
- Me, Myself & Irene
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Yes Man
For his role in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” Jim was also entitled to a percentage of merchandise sales. In “Yes Man,” he received 36.2% of the profits, resulting in a total payout of $35 million. This paycheck ranks among the 30 largest in film history.
Between 1994 and 2008 alone, Jim accumulated an impressive $200 million in earnings from his salaries.
and bonuses. In the following decade, he accrued an additional $100 million at a minimum. Overall, his earnings in film salary have likely surpassed $300 million to date.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for AFI)
Personal Life
Jim Carrey has had two marriages. His first marriage was to Melissa Womer from 1987 until 1995, and they welcomed a daughter named Jane Erin Carrey, who participated in American Idol in 2012. In 1996, he wed his Dumb & Dumber co-star Lauren Holly, though that union lasted less than a year. Between 2005 and 2010, he was in a relationship with model and actress Jenny McCarthy. From 2012 to 2015, he was involved with makeup artist Cathriona White, who sadly passed away from a drug overdose. In 2019, Carrey dated Ginger Gonzaga for less than a year.
Awards
Throughout his career, Jim has received over 40 prestigious awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for The Truman Show in 1999 and Man on the Moon in 2000. He was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children in 2006, and in 2013, he won the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award for his children’s story, “How Roland Rolls.”
Brentwood Estate
Jim owns multiple properties across the United States. His main residence is a sprawling compound located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, with his initial purchase occurring in 1994 for $3.8 million (equivalent to approximately $6.6 million today). In 2000, he acquired the adjacent one-acre lot for $1.7 million. The estate now includes a sizable guest house, tennis court, and swimming pool. The two-acre compound is secured by about 300 feet of fencing and hedgerows, encompassing 13,000 square feet of living area. In February 2023, Jim placed his Brentwood estate on the market for $28.9 million.
Other Properties:
In 2002, he purchased a beachfront mansion in Malibu for $9.75 million. He initially offered the house for sale in 2011 for $18 million, ultimately selling it in 2013 for $13.4 million.
Additionally, Jim possesses an apartment in New York City.
