Jim Carrey started his career as a stand-up comedian, followed by television appearances in the mid-80s, and then a successful Hollywood career. But does he have a private jet?
Jim Carrey does have a private jet. Carrey has owned a Gulfstream V since at least 2015, which is when he began to be photographed boarding and disembarking from his airplane. The plane is estimated to be worth around $59 million.
Let’s take a look at the career that allowed Jim Carrey to put away enough cash to afford such a luxury, as well as his net worth.
The Beginnings of Jim Carrey
James Eugene Carrey was born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada and is the youngest of four siblings.
His dad was a musician and accountant, and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. The family has French-Canadian roots, and the family’s surname was originally Carré.
Jim Carrey’s family was not well-off financially. He and his brother would work eight-hour shifts after school as janitors and security guards at the same factory that their father worked.
He dropped out of school when he was 16 and started to perform comedy routines while still working at the factory. For a period, his family was made homeless and were forced to live in a Volkswagen van.
Reflecting on his teenage years, Carrey said, “If my career in show business hadn’t panned out I would probably be working today in Hamilton, Ontario, at the Dofasco steel mill.”
Making it in Comedy
Carrey started performing at open-mic nights and eventually began securing paid shows. A writer for the Toronto Star praised the 19-year-old Jim as “a genuine star coming to life.”
Around the same time, Rodney Dangerfield hired Carrey to open his tour performances. He then decided to move to L.A., and began performing at The Comedy Store.
In 1982, he appeared on the TV stand-up show An Evening at the Improv. The next year, Jim appeared on The Tonight Show.
Watch Carrey’s 1983 appearance in this video:
He was then hired as a regular cast member of the TV comedy series In Living Color, from 1990 to 1994.
Going into Hollywood
In 1994, Carrey was given the lead roles in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber, which all recieved critical acclaim.
In 1996, Jim starred in The Cable Guy, directed by Ben Stiller. Although the film didn’t receive the best reviews, it did well commercially and the actor was paid $20 million for his time on set.
In 1997, he played Fletcher Reed in the critically acclaimed Liar Liar.
Commenting on the film, Janet Maslin of The New York Times wrote, “Well into his tumultuous career, Mr. Carrey finally turns up in a straightforward comic vehicle, and the results are much wilder and funnier than this mundane material should have allowed.”
Critical Acclaim
In 1998, Carrey played the role of Truman Burbank in the comedy drama The Truman Show. The film garnered international praise for Jim Carrey, who was awarded a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
A critic wrote that the film “allows Carrey to edge away from broad comedy,” and that the film was “a hilarious and breathtakingly conceived satire.”
In 1999, Jim portrayed Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon and received his second Golden Globe.
In 2000, the actor starred in the How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which went on to gross $345.1 million worldwide.
In 2003, Carrey appeared opposite Jennifer Aniston and Morgan Freeman in Bruce Almighty. The film was a significant commercial success, raking in $484 million worldwide.
In 2004, Carrey starred alongside Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which went on to receive critical acclaim.
CNN’s Paul Clinton argued the actor’s performance was his “best, most mature and sharply focused performance ever.” For this role, the actor was awarded his first BAFTA Award nomination for Best Actor.
Carrey’s Recent Work
In 2018, Carrey played the evil Dr. Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog, a film based on the video game franchise. The film was released in February of 2020 and received positive reviews.
Jim Carrey’s Net Worth
The actor’s net worth is estimated to be around $180 million, which is why it’s no wonder he can afford his very own private jet.