Jim Carrey Net Worth (Money & Salary)
to reports, Jim Carrey’s financial success was largely boosted by his blockbuster movie deals. The immense popularity of his films propelled him into a different stratosphere of earnings. Each project brought not only substantial salaries but also significant backend profits, allowing his wealth to multiply enormously. This financial breakthrough paved the way for him to invest in various ventures beyond the silver screen.
With a keen sense for opportunities, Carrey has ventured into producing and writing, contributing to his impressive net worth. His diversified career exemplifies the possibilities that come with talent and hard work in the entertainment industry.
Current Status
As of now, Jim Carrey continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood, admired for his talent and legacy. Despite stepping back from the constant hustle of filmmaking, he remains active in select projects that resonate with his artistic vision. His journey reflects a remarkable evolution from a struggling comedian to a Hollywood icon, showcasing resilience and adaptability throughout the years.
In summary, Jim Carrey’s net worth signifies not just his financial success but also his lasting impact on comedy and film. His ability to connect with audiences, alongside his extraordinary talent, ensures that he will always be remembered as one of the greats in the entertainment industry.
According to legend, there was a time in 1985 when a very broke and depressed Jim Carrey drove his battered Toyota Camry into the Hollywood Hills. Overlooking all of Los Angeles, he penned a check to himself for $10 million “for acting services rendered.” He post-dated the check for ten years ahead and kept it in his wallet. Spoiler alert – during those ten years, his dream materialized. When Jim’s father passed away in 1994, he placed the check into his father’s casket.
Success
Jim Carrey’s initial brush with fame took place in 1990 on the Wayans brothers’ sketch comedy show “In Living Color.” This show showcased his talent, with memorable characters such as the masochistic and clumsy Fire Marshal Bill. Jim remained part of In Living Color until its conclusion in 1995, but just before it ended, he made his major film debut in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” which became an instant hit, propelling him to stardom overnight. That same year saw him in “The Mask” and “Dumb and Dumber,” both of which achieved remarkable box-office success. For his next project, “The Cable Guy,” he received an unprecedented $20 million, establishing a new salary record.
Other notable comedic projects featuring Carrey include “Liar, Liar,” “Bruce Almighty,” “Me, Myself, and Irene,” and “Yes Man.” In addition, he has ventured into various dramas and dramedies such as “The Truman Show,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “The Majestic,” “Man on the Moon,” and the thriller “The Number 23.” More recently, Jim portrayed Dr. Robotnik in both “Sonic the Hedgehog” (2020) and “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (2022), the latter of which provided him with the best opening of his career, grossing $72 million in its US box office opening weekend.
Getty
Salary Highlights
Jim’s first significant paycheck was from In Living Color, where he earned $25,000 per episode of the series, amassing around $3.2 million from the show’s 127 episodes. This amount roughly translates to $6 million today.
In 1994, Jim received $350,000 for his role in the first Ace Ventura movie. Following the film’s impressive performance, earning $100 million against its $15 million budget, he was quickly compensated with $15 million for the sequel that came out in 1996. Additionally, in 1994, he earned $540,000 for starring in “The Mask,” which grossed $350 million, and was paid $7 million for his role in “Dumb & Dumber.”
Notably, Jim became the first actor ever to break the $20 million base salary barrier, achieving this with 1996’s “The Cable Guy.” His $20 million paycheck accounted for slightly less than half of the total film budget. For context, $20 million in the mid-1990s is comparable to approximately $34 million for a movie today.
Subsequently, Jim earned a base salary of $20 million for several films, 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 share of merchandise sales. In “Yes Man,” he received 36.2% of profits, totaling $35 million, which ranks among the 30-largest paychecks in film history.
Between 1994 and 2008 alone, Jim amassed $200 million from his salaries.
and bonuses. Over the subsequent decade, he accumulated at least another $100 million. As of now, his earnings from film salaries have likely exceeded $300 million.
(Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for AFI)
Personal Life
Jim Carrey has tied the knot twice. His first marriage was to Melissa Womer from 1987 until 1995, during which they welcomed a daughter, Jane Erin Carrey, who participated in American Idol in 2012. In 1996, he wed his Dumb & Dumber co-star Lauren Holly, but this union lasted less than a year. From 2005 to 2010, he was in a relationship with model/actress Jenny McCarthy. Between 2012 and 2015, he dated makeup artist Cathriona White, who tragically died from a drug overdose. In 2019, Carrey was in a brief relationship with Ginger Gonzaga, lasting under a year.
Awards
Throughout his career, Jim has garnered over 40 significant 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. Additionally, in 2006, Carrey was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for Children. In 2013, he received the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award for his children’s book, “How Roland Rolls.”
Brentwood Estate
Jim possesses several residences across the United States, with his main home being a vast compound located in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. He acquired the first part of this compound in 1994 for $3.8 million (equivalent to about $6.6 million today). In 2000, he paid $1.7 million for the one-acre adjacent lot. Currently, this estate boasts a spacious guest house, swimming pool, and tennis court, all protected by approximately 300 feet of fencing and hedges. This two-acre property spans 13,000 square feet of living space. In February 2023, Jim put his Brentwood estate up for sale at $28.9 million.
Other Properties:
In 2002, he bought a beachfront mansion in Malibu for $9.75 million, later listing it in 2011 for $18 million. Ultimately, he sold the property in 2013 for $13.4 million.
Additionally, Jim owns an apartment in New York City.