Jim Carrey Net Worth (Money & Salary)
to reports, after achieving fame, Jim Carrey saw his dreams materialize into reality. He quickly shifted from struggling to established star, earning substantial sums from his films. His career skyrocketed, leading to lucrative contracts and significant earnings. The transformation from a stand-up comic to a Hollywood heavyweight showcased not only his talent but also the potential for massive financial success in the entertainment industry.
Despite his rise in fortune, Jim remained grounded and often reflected on his humble beginnings. He recognized that the journey from homeless to millionaire was not just a personal triumph but a testament to his hard work and dedication to his craft. With each blockbuster hit, he solidified his position as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.
According to legend, Jim Carrey, who was extremely broke and depressed, drove his battered Toyota Camry into the Hollywood Hills in 1985. As he looked out over Los Angeles, he wrote himself a check for $10 million “for acting services rendered,” dating it ten years into the future. He kept this check tucked in his wallet, and spoiler alert – his dream was realized within that decade. When Jim’s father passed away in 1994, he placed the check in his father’s casket.
Success
Jim Carrey’s journey to stardom began in 1990 with the Wayans brothers’ sketch comedy show “In Living Color,” where he captivated audiences with memorable characters like the clumsy and masochistic Fire Marshal Bill. He remained a cast member until the show’s conclusion in 1995. However, just before the show was canceled, his major film debut, “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” was released and became an instant hit, catapulting him to fame. In the same year, he starred in the blockbuster films “The Mask” and “Dumb and Dumber.” For his subsequent film, “The Cable Guy,” Carrey commanded $20 million, setting a record for his salary.
Among Carrey’s other significant comedic works are titles such as “Liar, Liar,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Me, Myself, and Irene,” and “Yes Man.” He has also lent his talent to various 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.” Recently, he took on the role of Dr. Robotnik in “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020) and its sequel “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022). Notably, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” marked the highest opening of Jim Carrey’s career, bringing in $72 million at the U.S. box office on its opening weekend.
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Salary Highlights
Jim Carrey’s initial significant paycheck came from “In Living Color,” earning $25,000 for each episode, which totaled approximately $3.2 million over the series’ 127 episodes. In today’s terms, that would be roughly around $6 million.
For the first “Ace Ventura” film released in 1994, he was compensated $350,000. Following the movie’s impressive gross of $100 million against a $15 million budget, he secured $15 million for the sequel, which debuted in 1996. In 1994, he made $540,000 for starring in “The Mask,” which grossed $350 million. His paycheck for “Dumb & Dumber” was $7 million.
In the annals of cinematic history, Jim Carrey became the first actor to breach the distinguished $20 million base salary milestone, achieved in 1996 with “The Cable Guy.” His salary represented nearly half of the film’s total budget. For context, receiving $20 million in the mid-1990s equates to approximately $34 million per film today.
Following this achievement, Jim earned a $20 million base salary for subsequent films, including:
- The Cable Guy
- Batman Forever
- Liar Liar
- Me, Myself & Irene
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Yes Man
In addition to his base salary for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” he was eligible for a share of merchandise sales. For “Yes Man,” he received 36.2% of profits, resulting in a total payday of $35 million, ranking among the 30 largest paychecks in cinematic history.
From 1994 to 2008 alone, Jim Carrey amassed $200 million from his salaries.
In the following decade, he earned at least an additional $100 million, bringing his total film salary earnings to over $300 million to date.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for AFI)
Personal Life
Twice married, Jim Carrey first tied the knot with Melissa Womer from 1987 until 1995, and together they have a daughter named Jane Erin Carrey, who was an American Idol contestant in 2012. In 1996, he wed Lauren Holly, his co-star from Dumb & Dumber, but their marriage lasted less than a year. Between 2005 and 2010, Jim had a relationship with model/actress Jenny McCarthy. Following that, he was involved with makeup artist Cathriona White from 2012 until her tragic drug overdose in 2015. In 2019, he dated Ginger Gonzaga but for less than a year.
Awards
Throughout his career, Jim has garnered over 40 major awards, which include a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture for both The Truman Show in 1999 and Man on the Moon in 2000. Additionally, in 2006, he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. He was also the recipient of the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award in 2013 for his children’s story, “How Roland Rolls.”
Brentwood Estate
Jim Carrey owns several properties across the United States, with his primary residence being a vast compound located in Brentwood, Los Angeles. He initially purchased the first property of the compound in 1994 for $3.8 million, equivalent to about $6.6 million today. Later, in 2000, he acquired the adjoining one-acre lot for $1.7 million. The property now includes a large guest house, a swimming pool, and a tennis court. Spanning two acres, the compound is secured by approximately 300 feet of fencing and hedges and boasts 13,000 square feet of living space. In February 2023, Carrey listed his Brentwood estate for $28.9 million.
Other Properties:
He purchased a beachfront mansion in Malibu for $9.75 million in 2002, which he put on the market in 2011 for $18 million. He eventually sold the home in 2013 for $13.4 million. Additionally, Jim has an apartment in New York City.