Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Jim Carrey

Role / Field:

Energetic comedic actor known for slapstick, from sketch comedy to blockbuster stardom.

Born:

1962-01-17

Century / Era:

1962s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

James Eugene Carrey ( ; born January 17, 1962) is a Canadian and American actor, comedian, and visual artist. Known primarily for his energetic slapstick performances, he is regarded as one of the most prominent comedic actors of his generation. He has received two Golden Globe Awards, in addition to nominations for BAFTA Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards. After spending the 1980s honing his comedy act and playing supporting roles in films, Carrey gained recognition when he was cast in the Fox sketch comedy series In Living Color (1990–1994).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He broke out as a film star after starring in a string of box office hits, such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, Dumb and Dumber (all 1994), Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, and Batman Forever (both 1995). The success of these five films led to Carrey being the first comic actor to receive an upfront $20 million salary for performing in films, beginning with The Cable Guy (1996). Carrey continued to have success as a leading actor in comedies such as Liar Liar (1997), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Bruce Almighty (2003), Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004), and Yes Man (2008). Since the 2010s, Carrey has appeared...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Eichmann — Contemporary (Died in 1962) (1962): Nazi SS officer and key organizer of the Holocaust's logistics.
• Alain Robert — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): French rock and urban climber, nicknamed 'the French Spider-Man'.
• Aleksandr Dugin — Contemporary (Born in 1962) (1962): Leading theorist of Russian neo-Eurasianism, advocating for a 'conservative revolution'.
• Al Capone — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1899): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alain Badiou — Shared historical date (01-17 · Born) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Alexander Litvinenko — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): Russian defector and critic of the Kremlin, known for exposing state corruption.
• Andrey Lavrov — Historical peer (Born in 1962) (1962): Three-time Olympic gold medalist and celebrated figure in Russian handball.
• A. J. P. Taylor — Historical peer (Died in 1990) (1990): Influential English historian specializing in 19th and 20th-century European diplomacy.
• Aaron Copland — Historical peer (Died in 1990) (1990): Pioneering American composer, conductor, and critic, known as the "Dean of American Music".
• Ahmed Ali (writer) — Historical peer (Died in 1994) (1994): Pioneering Urdu writer, poet, and diplomat from British India to Pakistan.
• 1962 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1962
• January 17 (01-17) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 17

Frequently Asked Questions about Jim Carrey