Real reason Jim Carrey has taken 'break' from acting explained as Hollywood legend rarely in public eye

Jim Carrey was once a fixture in the world of Hollywood, but the 63-year-old lives a very different life these days.

Best known for his popular physical comedy, which he showed off in memorable fashion in films including The Mask, Dumb and Dumber and the Ace Ventura series, the Canadian-American actor always appeared to perform with a smile on his face.

However, his acting capabilities were also incredible, which he perhaps showcased best in The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

Thanks to Carrey's rise to fame, the comedian amassed an estimated $300 million fortune, which allowed him to make the decision to 'retire' back in 2022.

At the time, he told Access Hollywood: "Well, I’m retiring. Yeah, probably. I’m being fairly serious.

Jim Carrey said he was 'retiring' in 2022 (Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage)

"If the angels bring some sort of script that’s written in gold ink that says to me that it’s going to be really important for people to see, I might continue down the road, but I’m taking a break.

"I really like my quiet life and I really like putting paint on canvas and I really love my spiritual life and I feel like — and this is something you might never hear another celebrity say as long as time exists — I have enough.

"I’ve done enough. I am enough."

It turns out that the important character people needed to see, for a third time no less, was Dr Eggman, as Carrey returned to complete the holy trinity of Sonic the Hedgehog films in 2024.

At the movie's UK premiere in December last year, he told the Associated Press: "I came back to this universe because I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch. And you know, I bought a lot of stuff and I need the money, frankly."

Carrey has found a love for playing the villain Dr Eggman (Paramount Pictures)

Meanwhile, at the Los Angeles premiere, he said in an interview with E! News: "I think whenever you step away from something — even if it's something you love — you get a new appreciation for it.

"A different angle on the whole thing."

The actor added: "I also value getting out of people's faces

"I mean, some people just want to be in people's faces all the time, and I don't, so I like to give them a rest."

However, the trilogy of video game-based movies is the only time Carrey's appeared on the big screen since 2016, which begs the question why he's continuing to turn down other roles.

Away from the silver screen, Carrey has given fans an insight into his work as a visual artist in the 2017 short film, I Needed Color.

The star has also been hit with tragedy in his personal life, following the death of his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White, 30, who died by suicide in 2015.

A source claiming to be close to Carrey, who is said to be living a private life in Hawaii, has suggested that he continues to be offered 'three or four movies a year, sometimes for $5 or $6 million, but he turns them all down'.

The actor's public appearances are rare these days (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for RRHOF)

They told The Sun: "The industry drained him, he lost his love for it.

"He feels creativity and freedom of expression in movies are very limited now, and because of that, he doesn’t see himself doing any more films."

On 8 November, Carrey reunited with his How the Grinch Stole Christmas co-star Taylor Momsen for the first time in 25 years at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

Speaking on the red carpet during his rare public appearance, he told reporters: "We haven’t seen each other since The Grinch."

Momsen chimed in: "Yeah, it’s been 25 years. This is insane."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123 or contact Harmless by visiting their website.