See Jim Carrey through the years in then-and-now photos

Jim Carrey's first role in 1981's Introducing... Janet cast the actor as a struggling comedian whose jokes don't land quite right. With help from school girl Janet who hopes to pursue comedy, Carrey's Tony Moroni builds up her confidence while learning how to improve his material. Far from his role on-screen as a flailing comic, Carrey went on to find incredible success thanks to his comedy chops.

The '80s kept Carrey busy and ever-present on our screens, from the three-time Oscar nominated Peggy Sue got Married (1986) starring Nicholas Cage to cult classic Earth Girls are Easy (1988) with then-couple Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis. In the latter, Carrey stars as Ziploc, one of three aliens who crash land in Geena Davis' garden pool and learn the conventions of life on earth.

The early '90s brought some of Jim's most well-known hits, from feature films like Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) to beloved comedy The Mask (1994) and one of the bumbling musketeers at the heart of Dumb and Dumber (1994). He also appeared in 126 episodes of sketch show In Living Colour (1990-1994). 

Following his success earlier in the decade, Jim Carrey took on some more nuanced roles prior to the Millennium. Liar Liar and The Truman Show proved Carey's abilities as a dramatic actor. In 2000, he starred alongside Bridget Jones' Renee Zellweger. The pair dated for a year after they met on set for 2000's Me, Myself and Irene. Carrey told Entertainment Weekly the same year: "She’s a very connected person. She thinks having a good time is renting a U-Haul and taking furniture to Texas. She’s real in that way and I absolutely love it.”

The 2000s brought Carey further success with How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Tom Shadyac's Bruce Almighty (2003) and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) opposite Kate Winslet. Jim Carrey won over a new generation as the fearsome Count Olaf in the 2004 film adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events. 

Later in the 2000s and into the 2010s, Jim starred opposite Ewan McGregor in I Love You Philip Morris (2009), cameoed in Anchorman 2 and returned to the Dumb and Dumber world as Lloyd in its sequel. The actor continued to show his talent for comedy with a dramatic flair and a true-to-life emotional centre. 

The late 2010s had Jim Carrey front and centre once more as a children's TV icon watching his family fall apart in Kidding (2018-2020), alongside fellow comedy actor Judy Greer. Into 2020, Jim took on a role as the villain opposite fast-paced hedgehog Sonic, returning for the sequel in 2022 and two years later for the third instalment in 2024. 

Jim Carrey inducted Soundgarden into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2025. The comedian hosted an episode of SNL in 1996 which included the American rock band as a musical guest. He described the group as "one of the most, majestic, powerful and influential bands" ever. He said that during their rehearsal for the SNL performance, "I stood right in front of them, letting the waves of electricity wash over me like an audio baptism. They pushed me under, and when I came up I was free."

The actor and comedian appeared most recently at the César Awards in Paris where he accepted an honorary lifetime award. According to César Awards, via Variety, the actor worked on his speech for months which he delivered in French. He reflected on his career, explaining: "As an actor, each character you play is like clay in the sculptor's hands, which you shape to your heart's desire. How fortunate I have been to share this art with so many people who have truly opened their hearts to me."