Jim Carrey, the man who’s made us laugh for decades, has earned a substantial fortune over his career. The 1990s and 2000s were Carrey’s golden years, where he made history and his bank account swelled to legendary proportions.
Back in 1996, Carrey became the first actor to pocket $20 million (about R380 million) for a single film, “The Cable Guy”. Over time, he raked in approximately $300 million (around R5.7 billion) from movies alone.
Some of his standout paydays included $7 million for “Dumb and Dumber”, $15 million for “Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls”, and an eye-popping $35 million for “Yes Man”, thanks to profit participation.
Let’s not forget his “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” royalties, proving that Christmas spirit can be lucrative too.
Yet, in a twist of irony that could belong in one of his movies, Carrey now jokes about his financial needs. The memorable actor has returned to the “Sonic the Hedgehog” franchise, two years after teasing retirement.
“I need the money,” Carrey quipped. He humorously added, “I get to play a genius, which is a bit of a stretch ... but, at the same time, it had heart and that’s why I did it the first time.”
However, financial struggles might not be entirely off the table. Carrey’s lavish lifestyle and assets seem to have caught up with him.
His Los Angeles mansion, a sanctuary for three decades, has been on the market since February 2023. Initially listed for $28.9 million, it’s now priced at $19 million after several price cuts.
Despite this, Carrey remains optimistic about the sale.
"For three decades it’s been a sanctuary for me, but I don’t spend a lot of time there now and I want someone else to enjoy it like I have,” he shared.
With “Sonic the Hedgehog ” on the horizon, he will make up for some of the hit he’s taken on his property sale.
Fans will see him reprise his role in the third installment of “Sonic the Hedgehog” alongside Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves and James Marsden. While his choice might seem financial, the veteran actor insists the project’s emotional core also drew him back.