Jim Carrey Turns 63! See 10 of His Most Iconic Film Roles, from “The Mask ”to “The Truman Show”

The Golden Globe-winning actor has made an indelible impression on both the comedy and drama world over his decades-long career

Jim Carrey's filmography is timeless.

The actor, who turns 63 on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, has starred in some of the most memorable films of the last 30 years. Although he initially broke into the mainstream with his comedy skills in The Mask and Dumb and Dumber, he's shown his ability to take a more dramatic turn with classics like The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Even as the star has taken a step back from acting — only returning to reprise his role as Dr. Ivo Robotnik in the Sonic franchise — he's already cemented himself as an industry legend.

As the two-time Golden Globe winner celebrates his birthday, look back at 10 of his most iconic roles.

Ace Ventura in 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective'

Carrey's first (of many) films to develop a cult following was Ace Ventura: Pet Detective in 1994, in which he portrayed the eponymous sleuth who's tasked with finding the abducted mascot of the Miami Dolphins. Ace Ventura's success spawned a 1995 sequel, Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls, with Carrey reprising his role — as well as an animated series and a standalone made-for-TV film without him.

Stanley Ipkiss in 'The Mask'

He stepped into a superhero persona for the fantasy comedy film The Mask, playing a mild-mannered man who discovers an ancient wooden mask that transforms him into a wildly extroverted shapeshifter. Opposite Cameron Diaz in her breakout role, Carrey led the film to massive commercial success and acclaim, making The Mask the most profitable film adaptation of a comic book at the time.

Lloyd Christmas in 'Dumb and Dumber'

Carrey and Jeff Daniels buddied up for the comedy classic Dumb and Dumber in 1994, playing simpleminded best friends Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, who take a road trip to Aspen, Colorado. The film's slapstick comedy and script launched the career of screenwriters Peter and Bobby Farrelly, displayed Daniels' range as an actor and established Carrey as a box office draw.

Fletcher Reede in 'Liar Liar'

In Liar Liar, Carrey's pants were on fire as divorced lawyer Fletcher Reede, a pathological liar who is cursed to tell the truth for a day. He continued his run of acclaim with a nuanced performance that earned him a second nod at the Golden Globes.

Truman Burbank in 'The Truman Show'

In what many consider Carrey's most egregious Oscar snub, The Truman Show saw the actor blend comedy and drama as Truman Burbank, a man whose entire life has been broadcast to the world without his knowledge. His journey to realizing his life is staged culminates in a dramatic, yet satisfying, escape into reality, and the film has since become known as a modern commentary on surveillance and reality TV.

The Grinch in 'How The Grinch Stole Christmas'

Carrey became unrecognizable as the titular green meanie in the 2000 Christmas staple How The Grinch Stole Christmas. With his over-the-top movements and pinpoint accurate comedic timing, Carrey received a nomination for leading actor in a comedy or musical at the Golden Globes for his portrayal of the Dr. Seuss character. He's said he's open to reprising the character, on one condition — he doesn't have to undergo the six hours in the makeup and prosthetics chair so torturous he had to work with a Navy SEAL to learn how to endure it.

Bruce Nolan in 'Bruce Almighty'

Director Tom Shadyac and Carrey teamed up for the third time — following Ace Ventura and Liar Liar — for the 2003 film Bruce Almighty. Carrey nailed the role of Bruce Nolan, a television reporter at his lowest who complains that God (aptly played by Morgan Freeman) isn't doing his job correctly. In turn, God offers Bruce the chance to play God for a week, and he discovers that being omniscient isn't easy.

Joel Barish in 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind featured Carrey in a fully dramatic role — a departure from his typical comedic lean. Director Michel Gondry even prohibited Carrey from improvising any of his lines as the lovelorn Joel Barish, who undergoes a procedure to forget his relationship with Kate Winslet's Clementine Kruczynski.

"It's hard to be funny. It's far easier to take someone really funny and bring them down than do the opposite," Gondry told The Daily Beast of his casting choices. "We all felt that Jim was an unexpected — but good — choice."

Count Olaf in 'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events'

The film adaptation of Lemony Snicket's 13-book series saw Carrey in another villainous role as the menacing Count Olaf, who plots to steal the fortunes of the recently orphaned Baudelaire children. He transformed into the murderous mastermind with Academy Award-winning makeup and prosthetics — but retained his signature mannerisms.

Dr. Eggman in 'Sonic the Hedgehog'

After slowing down his acting career in the 2010s, Carrey made his blockbuster return to the silver screen as the Sonic franchise's main antagonist Dr. Ivo Robotnik, best known as Dr. Eggman. With a possible fourth film on the horizon, Carrey has told Cinema Today he would return — bald cap, exaggerated mustache and all — if the premise interests him.